Complementary Therapists

Job description

Job responsibilities

Summary

To support the delivery of planned therapeutic programmes of complementary therapy for patients and carers in a safe environment

Specific Objectives

To meet the above broad objectives, the post holder will have responsibilities in four main areas of work as follows:

Clinical

Educational

Clerical

Personnel

Clinical

To offer Complementary Therapies to patients and carers appropriately referred to them.

To manage an individual caseload of patients/carers as assigned following triage process.

To assess, plan, implement and evaluate appropriate individual programmes of therapy within professional qualifications and competence, liaising with other practitioners as appropriate.

To provide a therapeutic environment where patients and carers can talk freely and in confidence.

To ensure Complementary Therapy is Health and Safety compliant.

To adhere to all hospice policies and procedures including Confidentiality, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Safeguarding Children, and Lone worker policy.

To ensure as a Complementary Therapist you adopt good infection control principles.

To use time and resources effectively.

To support interviewing, inducting and supervising volunteer therapists.

To support and review Complementary Therapy volunteer practice.

To attend regular, agreed meetings with other Complementary Therapists and Outpatient Lead.

To ensure equipment and clinical environments are clean and serviceable.

To oversee the creation of fragrancers and other other blends needed in-house.

Educational

To keep abreast of relevant developments in Complementary Therapy and palliative care and to understand their implications for practice and for CPD purposes.

To maintain training and competence compliance of the Complementary Therapy team.

To deliver general health and wellbeing educational sessions to patients and carers as part of a wider wellbeing programme.

To be involved in the promotion of the Hospice and its Complementary Therapy service.

To be an ambassador for the Hospice.

Clerical

To maintain accurate written and computer records in accordance with Katharine House Hospice policies and procedures.

To collate and provide audit and outcome measures data as requested to support the Outpatient Lead with Clinical Governance

To provide evidence-based data to the Outpatient Lead for reports for the Trustees Clinical Committee.

To maintain membership of a recognised Complementary Therapy professional body.

To stocktake and process orders for Complementary Therapy supplies.

To provide annually proof of professional membership and car insurance.

Personnel

• Achieve and maintain Complementary Therapy competencies.

• Take all measures to ensure the safety and welfare of all patients and staff, having due regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act.

• Attend annual statutory updates as required by the Care Quality Commission and Katharine House Hospice annual mandatory updates.

• Participate in Individual Performance Review.

• Participate in continuing education and other activities to promote own professional growth.

• Demonstrate an understanding and implementation of clinical governance.

• Recognise stress in self and seek support as required.

• Demonstrate the use of reflective practice.

Personal Development

Katharine House will support the continuous development of the post holder who is expected to be proactive in ensuring their own clinical supervision and identifying their own developmental needs.

Competencies

Can meet/work towards achieving the competencies as identified in the KHH competency document.

Job Revision

This job description is not exhaustive, and the employee may be asked to undertake other duties commensurate with the role. This job description is subject to periodic revision following discussions with the post holder.

Infection Prevention and Control

In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or appraisal.

Health and Safety

All employees have a responsibility to abide by the safety practices and codes authorised by KHH. They have an equal responsibility with management for maintaining safe working practices.

Person Specification

Other

Essential

• Enhanced DBS clearance required
• Full valid UK Driving Licence
• Regular use of car with appropriate levels of insurance

Experience

Essential

• Practical experience since qualifying of 12 months in each therapy qualified to practise

Desirable

• Experience as part of a Complementary Therapy team
• Experience of Home visits and Lone worker
• Experience in healthcare
• Experience of working within a hospice
• Experience of working with volunteers
• Some knowledge of palliative care

Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Demonstrable skills in Complementary Therapy
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work alone
• Flexible attitude and approach
• Empathetic
• Good organisational skills
• Able to manage own caseload in an organised manner
• Flexible
• Confident
• Non-judgemental
• Self-aware
• Enthusiastic

Knowledge

Essential

• Some knowledge of palliative care

Desirable

• Working knowledge of Patient held electronic records

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Complementary Therapist in more than one Complementary Therapy technique
• Degree or diploma in more than one Complementary Therapy practice
• Be registered as a qualified Complementary Therapist by a nationally recognised professional Complementary Therapy body

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Katharine House Hospice

Address

Weston Road

Stafford

ST16 3SB

Employer's website

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