Complementary Therapist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Principle Duties & Responsibilities:

1.To develop and ensure good communication with all staff liaising with patients, relatives, carers and all other professionals in the Hospice and community, ensuring quality and continuity of patient care.

2.To be confident with communication skills enabling important discussions with patients, families and professional colleagues in respect of preferences and wishes relating to palliative and end of life care which may be expressed through therapeutic treatments.

3.Recognise changing patient and carer needs, condition or circumstances and report these to RN or CSTL.

4.To be IT literate to enable communication with staff, volunteers and external contacts by email where necessary.

5.Ensure high standards of documentation and clinical records are always maintained which pay due regard to timeliness of completion, information governance standards, Caldicott principles and can use electronic record systems e.g. EMIS.

6.At all times ensure continuity of care through effective handover processes and telephone message processes.

7.To work within local and national guidance in respect of complementary therapy, palliative and end of life care and standards set by the Care Quality Commission.

8.To contribute to the hospices quality and clinical governance processes e.g. audit, risk assessments, reporting and root cause analysis of significant incidents.

9.Work flexibly across the organisation and through all departments and sites as required to support the delivery of the hospices care services.

10.To recognise emotional and distressing situations and provide support for self and team by undertaking reflective supervision.

11.To liaise professionally with other health care professionals both internally and externally in the provision of patient care.

12.To represent the Hospice at fundraising, public and professional events to help promote the Hospice services as necessary.

13.Act as a role model to staff and volunteers, providing supervision/ongoing support for volunteers who provide activities for patients.

Clinical

14.Ensure the efficient and effective system for referral is maintained and developed as needed.

15.To assess referral forms and recommend appropriate use of techniques/ treatment in relation to patients needs and recommend appropriate complementary therapy intervention. Liaise with CSTL regarding any contraindications or concerns about treatment.

16.Ensure a robust review and discharge process is in place to effectively manage the Complementary Therapy service.

17.Provide complementary therapy founded on evidence-based practice, ensuring volunteers comply also.

18.With assistance from colleagues where necessary, support patients with moving and handling needs and adapt working styles to deliver treatments in a safe manner.

19.Evaluate outcome of treatment and document accurately and comprehensively the assessment and treatment given.

20.Communicate and work closely with all clinical services, particularly in Wellbeing program.

21.To participate in hospice multi-disciplinary meetings.

22.To relay all messages to the appropriate team members, identifying those of immediate concern.

23.Act as a resource and advisor in all areas of the complementary therapy service delivery, working to recognised professional standards.

Managerial Responsibilities

24.To meet monthly with CSTL/Team for exchange of information and discussion.

25.To ensure equipment and environment is safely maintained, participating in maintaining a healthy and safe environment in accordance with organisational health and safety policy and procedures including infection prevention and control.

26.Work with the CSTL to evaluate the service paying particular regard to patient feedback received.

27.To develop and maintain a team of volunteers to support the provision of complementary therapists for patients visiting the Hospice.

28.To support the CSTL by ordering and stock maintenance of complementary therapy resources within an agreed budget.

29.Assist in the development of policies and procedures relating to complementary therapy.

30.Participate in the recruitment of staff, volunteers, and students when necessary.

31.To undertake appraisals of volunteers and others as directed by CSTL.

32.Promote an open and honest culture reflecting a can do attitude.

Education, Personal Development & Training

33.Take every reasonable opportunity for maintaining, developing and acquiring competencies and skills for self-development and personal responsibility for life-long learning, self-development, and reflection.

34.Undertake training to develop additional skills as necessary within the Hospices competency framework, in relation to specific hospice and / or practice development projects.

35.To participate in induction and training programmes for new staff/students/volunteers/ work experience.

36.To support staff and volunteer development through sharing of knowledge and experience relevant to post including school/college students, nursing associate trainees, student nurses and medical students enabling them to achieve an understanding of the importance of complementary therapy in the delivery of holistic hospice care.

37.Participate in informal and formal education as required.

38.Contribute to the Hospice being a research active organisation by participating in research projects/surveys as directed by Clinical Practice Educator (CPE)/CSTL.

39.Support the CSTL and CPE to develop service provision and undertake specific key worker responsibilities as designated.

Standard Requirements of all MAEH Staff:

1.To be flexible and adapt to the needs of the department and your team.

2.To maintain strict confidentiality and always adhere to data protection policies.

3.To observe and maintain security procedures and to be aware of responsibilities towards Health & Safety, Hospice Policies & Procedures and COSHH.

4.MAEH operates a strictly no-smoking policy whilst on duty.

5.Exercise responsible stewardship of hospices resources always.

6.Attendance at meetings, events and activities may require the post holder to work beyond the normal hours/days of work on occasions flexibility is essential.

7.To have an understanding and demonstrate regard for the Hospices values, vision, mission and strategic aims.

8.Travel in the Warwickshire area, and on occasions within the UK, to fulfil role and attend/participate in training and personal development opportunities, using own vehicle or public transport, for which expenses will be met in line with policies.

9.To maintain an effective and collaborative working relationship with other members of staff and volunteers.

10.To participate in an annual performance appraisal, where the job description will be reviewed, and objectives agreed.

11.Take responsibility for ensuring the timely completion and/or attendance for all statutory and mandatory training requirements relevant to role as outlined by Hospice Policy.

12.To participate in surveys and audits as required by the service in relation to your role.

13.Conform to conventional standards of professional uniform and business dress when representing the hospice.

14.To accept temporary redeployment within any part of the hospice should the need arise ensuring hospice goals and objectives are met.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 qualification in 2 or more of the following: Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy

Desirable

• Level 2 or 3 Diploma/NVQ Level 2 or 3 or equivalent certificate in palliative/end of life care and awareness of dementia.
• Advanced Communication Skills course

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 2 years care experience providing complementary therapies (any setting)
• Able to work autonomously and as part of team
• Evidence of excellent communication skills
• Experience of supervising/supporting people

Desirable

• Experience of palliative/end of life patients
• Experience of CQC compliance and evidencing regulations in practice

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Excellent planning and organising skills.
• Adapting to and managing change
• Understanding of current issues and initiatives relating to complementary therapy, palliative and end of life care
• IT skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills communication with patients, health and social care professionals and the wider multi-professional team encompassing verbal and written skills including: motivation of staff, team building, decision making, conflict management and problem Solving
• Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the need for confidentiality in all aspects of the work environment, including boundaries of volunteer roles

Desirable

• Evidence of effective teaching and mentoring
• Able to write succinct and informative report.
• Conversant with CQC regulations and implications on safe, effective, caring, responsive, well-led services.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Mary Ann Evans Hospice

Address

Mary Ann Evans Hospice

Eliot Way

Nuneaton

Warwickshire

CV10 7QL

Employer's website

https://www.maryannevans.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)