Lymphoedema Practitioner

Job responsibilities

To assist the Lymphoedema Specialist Practitioners in the provision of a high quality, patient focused service for patients with lymphoedema/chronic oedema.

To provide care in lymphoedema management to patients at risk of developing lymphoedema and with uncomplicated lymphoedema, and to assist in the management and treatment of patients with severe and complicated lymphoedema and patients with advanced disease.

To provide advice and education on all aspects of managing uncomplicated and stable lymphoedema for patients, relatives and health care professionals.

To have an understanding of lymphoedema including the cause and development, signs and symptoms and be up to date in current management appropriate to the role.

To manage own caseload of follow up patients and carry out lymphoedema assessments as appropriate, establishing individual patient needs.

To provide a high standard of patient-centred care supporting patients with skin care advice, simple lymphatic drainage (SLD), and the provision of treatments including the application of compression bandaging for lymphoedema, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) and the fitting of compression garments.

Work with patients to develop and plan individual care plans which address patient goals in line with the agreed treatment protocols.

Reassess and review all aspects of patient care in order to monitor their progress and evaluate the effectiveness of current treatment regimes.

To liaise with appropriate members of the multi- disciplinary team and wider healthcare team in order to ensure co-ordination and continuity of care.

To undertake some specialist caseload when competent to do so under the supervision of the specialist practitioner.

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES:

To work with the team to meet agreed standards and objectives working in accordance with the written policies for the area in order to maintain consistency and uniformity of service provision.

Demonstrate flexibility to meet service needs.

To participate in research and audit projects within the lymphoedema service.

To raise awareness of the service and support appropriate campaigns - e.g. Lymphoedema Awareness Week and Hospice Care Week.

Undertake any necessary skills training, professional updates, and mandatory training as appropriate to the post and as directed.

To participate in professional networking, membership of relevant professional groups.

To maintain own professional registration.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND RESEARCH:

To follow the standards of lymphoedema management.

To keep statistical information in order to contribute towards the evaluation of the lymphoedema service.

To be aware of new developments in palliative care, in particular lymphoedema management, and implement appropriate research findings.

TEACHING AND TRAINING:

To teach patients and those close to them and other relevant health professional groups about lymphoedema, both formally and informally.

To participate in the formal teaching of clinical staff through planned education programmes.

To assist in the orientation of new members of hospice staff, clinical volunteers and visitors.

To participate in the on-going educational programme delivered by LOROS by attending in-service study days and courses as appropriate.

To keep up to date with current advances in practice and research and to take some responsibility for own professional development (CPD).

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant Health Professional Qualification/Degree
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Advanced Communication Qualification

Experience

Essential

• NHS or voluntary sector experience
• Post registration experience in relevant area

Desirable

• Experience of working in a palliative care or oncology setting or a setting which meets the needs of those with palliative care needs
• Experience of working with patients with lymphoedema
• Experience of managing own caseload
• Experience of clinical audit and research

Knowledge

Essential

• Basic knowledge of lymphoedema
• A good understanding of the Health care environment
• Understanding of equality and diversity

Desirable

• Knowledge of the management of lymphoedema

Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Good organisational and time management skills
• Good communicator, able to relate at different levels and in a variety of settings
• Good written and presentation skills
• Effective team member
• IT skills

Desirable

• Experience of using SystmOne

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).