St Margaret's Somerset Hospice

Complementary Therapy Co-ordinator

The closing date is 30 July 2025

Job summary

St Margaret's Hospice Care has a fantastic opportunity for a Complementary Therapistto join our multi-disciplinary palliative care team.

The core Complementary Therapy skills we are seeking are Aromatherapy, Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology and Reiki.

  • Salary: £11,662.24 per annum (based on the full-time rate of £29,155.59 pa)
  • Hours: 15 hours a week
  • Location: Yeovil
  • Contract: Permanent

You will manage a team of volunteer complementary therapists, be able to work as part of the multidisciplinary team and demonstrate excellent communications skills.

Although based in Yeovil, the postholder will be expected to cover and support Complementary Therapy across the organisation.

Main duties of the job

We support palliative patients at all stages of their journey, from diagnosis to end stage disease, offering preventative, restorative, supportive and palliative rehabilitation and intervention and you will be a key part of that.

Your day-to-day role will involve:

  • Based in our multi-disciplinary Team, you will work in the Hospice and in the community to support patients in a variety of settings; in-patient, day centre and in their own homes.
  • Using holistic approach, you will undertake assessments as well as plan and deliver high quality patient care.
  • With your expertise, you will be able to contribute to the evaluation and development of our services.

In return, we offer a rewarding role in a stimulating and positive working environment, the opportunity to develop new skills, and the satisfaction of supporting the St. Margaret's team to help make each day count for individuals and families in Somerset.

About us

Be part of a welcoming, community minded charity. Our mission is to provide excellent specialist palliative care for patients and support to their families.If you speak to any of our staff or volunteers, they will tell you how the patient is at the heart of everything they do. So, if you're looking for a role where you can really make a difference, working as part of a supportive team, we could be a perfect match.

  • 33 days holiday including bank holidays rising to 35 days after 1 year, and increasing with length of service (pro-rata if part-time)
  • Recognise continuous service for clinical staff paid at band 5+ who join directly from the NHS or another hospice
  • Ability to buy and sell annual leave

Pension scheme

  • NHS employees eligible to continue with their NHS pension scheme*
  • Non-NHS employees will receive 5.5% employer and 5% employee contribution.

Award-winning Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family offering:

  • Vitality & wellbeing health portal for non-emergency care
  • Unlimited access to 24/7 online GP Consultations as well as Expert Case Management
  • Confidential and free 24-hour Employee Assistance
  • Counselling and support
  • Legal, financial, and medical information and advice

And more

  • Life assurance cover 2x salary
  • Health Cash Plans
  • Blue Light Discount Card
  • Enhanced parental leave*
  • Excellent learning and development opportunities
  • Free on-site parking in Yeovil and Taunton
  • Volunteering and fundraising opportunities

*Eligibility criteria applies

Details

Date posted

09 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£11,819 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

54-25 - Complementary Therapy Co-ordinator

Job locations

Heron Drive

Bishops Hull

Taunton

United Kingdom

TA1 5HA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities:

  • To work as an autonomous practitioner, undertaking comprehensive assessment of patients for complementary therapy treatment, developing an appropriate programme of care and evaluating treatment outcomes.
  • Provide hands-on complementary therapies, prioritising and co-ordinating caseload according to needs of patients/carers across a broad spectrum of clinical settings.
  • Provide effective clinical leadership in all aspects of complementary therapies to volunteer complementary therapists and complementary therapy link nurses.
  • Ensure all oils and other equipment are used and stored safely, according to Hospice guidelines and related policies.
  • Ensure compliance with all Hospice and infection control policies and procedures, including the use of clean towels for each patient and appropriate laundering.
  • All staff are responsible for ensuring they follow good infection control practices at all times and that they are familiar with infection control policies, procedures and guidance. Undertaking the necessary level of training relevant to their area of work.
Leadership/Management Responsibilities:
  • To have operational responsibility for the delivery of an effective and efficient complementary therapy service.
  • To be responsible for the operational supervision and co-ordination of a team of volunteer complementary therapists ensuring consistent standards of practice and efficient service delivery.
  • To be actively involved in the recruitment and selection of volunteer complementary therapists in liaison with the Volunteer Coordinator and Therapy and Day services lead East.
  • To utilise the hospice information systems to supply statistical evidence required for resource management and clinical audit of the service, collecting and reporting accurate information relating to caseload statistics.
  • To work within St Margaret's Hospice Complementary Therapy policies and guidelines.
  • Demonstrate flexibility to meet service needs.
Representational Role:
  • To act as an expert resource providing support and advice on all matters pertaining to Complementary Therapies and their use.
  • To fulfil internal and external teaching and presentation commitments, including post graduate courses, as agreed by the Therapy and Day Services Lead.
  • Teach, supervise and provide advice relating to complementary therapy to patients, carers and health care professionals as appropriate.
Research & Development:
  • Participate in research, clinical audit and standard setting at a local, regional and national level and to monitor and review practice regularly, ensuring all practice undertaken at St Margarets Hospice is evidence-based.
  • Participate in professional networking, membership of relevant professional groups, clinical supervision, journal club and significant event meetings as appropriate.
  • To participate in the staff Personal Development Review scheme as an appraisee and to be responsible for complying with the agreed organisational, professional and personal objectives.
  • Undertake any necessary skills training, professional updates and mandatory training as appropriate to the post and as directed.
  • Actively participate in training sessions, peer review and internal and external courses.
  • Develop and lead clinical induction programmes for all new volunteer complementary therapists, as agreed by the Volunteer Co-ordinator/ Therapy and Day Services Lead. Actively contribute to and participate in orientation programmes for staff from other areas.
  • Support and mentor the professional development of Volunteer Complementary Therapists.
Responsibility for Strategy/Policy/Protocol Development:
  • To advise and assist the Lead Physiotherapist/Head of Therapies in the development of St Margarets Hospice Complementary Therapy Policy and Protocols; benchmark policies against agreed national and regional standards to ensure a Gold Standard of local service provision.
  • Actively identify, plan and undertake reviews to aid service improvement and development.
  • Participate in the planning and implementation of patient and carer satisfaction surveys.
  • Make recommendations for the future development of the service and actively contribute to the implementation of the Hospice Strategic Business Plan and Operational Objectives as required/appropriate.
Communication and people skills
  • Liaise with St Margarets Hospice Multi-Disciplinary Team; Primary and Secondary Healthcare Providers.
  • Ensure effective mechanisms for communicating information concerning patient care, including the completion of contemporaneous, accurate and comprehensive electronic records as appropriate.
  • Work collaboratively with all relevant health and social care professionals and agencies establishing clear lines of communication, good liaison and professional working relationships across all departments and agencies.
  • Express ideas clearly through oral, written and electronic communication mediums, varying the level and style of communication with all people, respecting their differing levels of understanding and responding to communication difficulties as appropriate.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities:

  • To work as an autonomous practitioner, undertaking comprehensive assessment of patients for complementary therapy treatment, developing an appropriate programme of care and evaluating treatment outcomes.
  • Provide hands-on complementary therapies, prioritising and co-ordinating caseload according to needs of patients/carers across a broad spectrum of clinical settings.
  • Provide effective clinical leadership in all aspects of complementary therapies to volunteer complementary therapists and complementary therapy link nurses.
  • Ensure all oils and other equipment are used and stored safely, according to Hospice guidelines and related policies.
  • Ensure compliance with all Hospice and infection control policies and procedures, including the use of clean towels for each patient and appropriate laundering.
  • All staff are responsible for ensuring they follow good infection control practices at all times and that they are familiar with infection control policies, procedures and guidance. Undertaking the necessary level of training relevant to their area of work.
Leadership/Management Responsibilities:
  • To have operational responsibility for the delivery of an effective and efficient complementary therapy service.
  • To be responsible for the operational supervision and co-ordination of a team of volunteer complementary therapists ensuring consistent standards of practice and efficient service delivery.
  • To be actively involved in the recruitment and selection of volunteer complementary therapists in liaison with the Volunteer Coordinator and Therapy and Day services lead East.
  • To utilise the hospice information systems to supply statistical evidence required for resource management and clinical audit of the service, collecting and reporting accurate information relating to caseload statistics.
  • To work within St Margaret's Hospice Complementary Therapy policies and guidelines.
  • Demonstrate flexibility to meet service needs.
Representational Role:
  • To act as an expert resource providing support and advice on all matters pertaining to Complementary Therapies and their use.
  • To fulfil internal and external teaching and presentation commitments, including post graduate courses, as agreed by the Therapy and Day Services Lead.
  • Teach, supervise and provide advice relating to complementary therapy to patients, carers and health care professionals as appropriate.
Research & Development:
  • Participate in research, clinical audit and standard setting at a local, regional and national level and to monitor and review practice regularly, ensuring all practice undertaken at St Margarets Hospice is evidence-based.
  • Participate in professional networking, membership of relevant professional groups, clinical supervision, journal club and significant event meetings as appropriate.
  • To participate in the staff Personal Development Review scheme as an appraisee and to be responsible for complying with the agreed organisational, professional and personal objectives.
  • Undertake any necessary skills training, professional updates and mandatory training as appropriate to the post and as directed.
  • Actively participate in training sessions, peer review and internal and external courses.
  • Develop and lead clinical induction programmes for all new volunteer complementary therapists, as agreed by the Volunteer Co-ordinator/ Therapy and Day Services Lead. Actively contribute to and participate in orientation programmes for staff from other areas.
  • Support and mentor the professional development of Volunteer Complementary Therapists.
Responsibility for Strategy/Policy/Protocol Development:
  • To advise and assist the Lead Physiotherapist/Head of Therapies in the development of St Margarets Hospice Complementary Therapy Policy and Protocols; benchmark policies against agreed national and regional standards to ensure a Gold Standard of local service provision.
  • Actively identify, plan and undertake reviews to aid service improvement and development.
  • Participate in the planning and implementation of patient and carer satisfaction surveys.
  • Make recommendations for the future development of the service and actively contribute to the implementation of the Hospice Strategic Business Plan and Operational Objectives as required/appropriate.
Communication and people skills
  • Liaise with St Margarets Hospice Multi-Disciplinary Team; Primary and Secondary Healthcare Providers.
  • Ensure effective mechanisms for communicating information concerning patient care, including the completion of contemporaneous, accurate and comprehensive electronic records as appropriate.
  • Work collaboratively with all relevant health and social care professionals and agencies establishing clear lines of communication, good liaison and professional working relationships across all departments and agencies.
  • Express ideas clearly through oral, written and electronic communication mediums, varying the level and style of communication with all people, respecting their differing levels of understanding and responding to communication difficulties as appropriate.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional qualification/Diploma in one or more manual complementary therapies
  • Registration & insurance with appropriate professional body
  • Evidence of relevant CPD

Desirable

  • Professional qualification in reflexology, aromatherapy and massage
  • Post graduate complementary therapy training in specialist palliative care clinical field.
  • Recognised teaching qualification/ relevant teaching experience

Self Awareness

Essential

  • Excellent verbal, written and personal communication skills; confident and articulate
  • Able to develop and maintain communication with people about difficult issues.
  • Ability to cope with the emotional demands of working in a specialist palliative care unit

Working with others

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills with particular ability to liaise effectively with patients/carers, the multidisciplinary team and across organisations with individuals at a range of levels
  • Experience of managing people
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Positive attitude towards equal opportunities and towards working in a multicultural environment.

Desirable

  • Experience of working with volunteers.

Outcome and Results

Essential

  • Computer literate, able to use work documents, spreadsheets and e-mail communication.
  • Ability to be innovative and respond to change.
  • Effective caseload and workload management.
  • Ability to make decisions, organise, prioritise and meet deadlines.
  • Must hold excellent organisational skills.

Desirable

  • Innovative and resourceful practitioner

Leading in your area

Essential

  • Demonstrable post registration experience of working with particular therapies or demonstrable evidence of appropriate practice in relevant clinical field.
  • Demonstrable evidence of excellent understanding and knowledge of the use and effects of complementary therapies
  • Demonstrable evidence of self-development and development of others
  • Demonstrable evidence of a clear understanding of a holistic approach to patient care
  • Able to travel to undertake work in outreach or community settings across the organisation.

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
  • Experience of working in a palliative care environment
  • Experience of training and assessing the competence of a complementary therapist.
  • Ability to work flexibly across all palliative care settings
Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

  • Professional qualification/Diploma in one or more manual complementary therapies
  • Registration & insurance with appropriate professional body
  • Evidence of relevant CPD

Desirable

  • Professional qualification in reflexology, aromatherapy and massage
  • Post graduate complementary therapy training in specialist palliative care clinical field.
  • Recognised teaching qualification/ relevant teaching experience

Self Awareness

Essential

  • Excellent verbal, written and personal communication skills; confident and articulate
  • Able to develop and maintain communication with people about difficult issues.
  • Ability to cope with the emotional demands of working in a specialist palliative care unit

Working with others

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal skills with particular ability to liaise effectively with patients/carers, the multidisciplinary team and across organisations with individuals at a range of levels
  • Experience of managing people
  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Positive attitude towards equal opportunities and towards working in a multicultural environment.

Desirable

  • Experience of working with volunteers.

Outcome and Results

Essential

  • Computer literate, able to use work documents, spreadsheets and e-mail communication.
  • Ability to be innovative and respond to change.
  • Effective caseload and workload management.
  • Ability to make decisions, organise, prioritise and meet deadlines.
  • Must hold excellent organisational skills.

Desirable

  • Innovative and resourceful practitioner

Leading in your area

Essential

  • Demonstrable post registration experience of working with particular therapies or demonstrable evidence of appropriate practice in relevant clinical field.
  • Demonstrable evidence of excellent understanding and knowledge of the use and effects of complementary therapies
  • Demonstrable evidence of self-development and development of others
  • Demonstrable evidence of a clear understanding of a holistic approach to patient care
  • Able to travel to undertake work in outreach or community settings across the organisation.

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
  • Experience of working in a palliative care environment
  • Experience of training and assessing the competence of a complementary therapist.
  • Ability to work flexibly across all palliative care settings

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).

Additional information

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

St Margaret's Somerset Hospice

Address

Heron Drive

Bishops Hull

Taunton

United Kingdom

TA1 5HA


Employer's website

https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/home-page (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

St Margaret's Somerset Hospice

Address

Heron Drive

Bishops Hull

Taunton

United Kingdom

TA1 5HA


Employer's website

https://www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk/home-page (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Therapy and Day Service Lead

Karla Howe

karla.howe@st-margarets-hospice.org.uk

01823333822

Details

Date posted

09 July 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£11,819 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

54-25 - Complementary Therapy Co-ordinator

Job locations

Heron Drive

Bishops Hull

Taunton

United Kingdom

TA1 5HA


Supporting documents

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