Lymphoedema Nurse

To assess and treat patients with Secondary Lymphoedema due to cancer or it's treatment, who may have complex and/or chronic presentations. The Lymphoedema Service is predominantly clinic-based but also includes in-patient ward cover within time constraints set by previously arranged appointments with the patients attending the clinic.

To apply developed assessment, analytical and clinical reasoning skills in evaluating the patients' condition and in progressing and executing appropriate treatment plans and maintaining records.

To apply practical therapeutic skills in Manual Lymphatic drainage and Complex Decongestion Therapy, as taught by a British Lymphology Society approved body; to fit support hosiery

To represent the Lymphoedema Service, giving specialised advice to M.D.T. members when required

To participate in the efficient running of the Lymphoedema Service

To provide appropriate treatment to patients Secondary Lymphoedema due to cancer or its treatment, referred by members of the M.D.T to the Lymphoedema Clinic

To maintain links with other Lymphoedema Services and to attend regional meetings of the British Lymphology Society

To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time

To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management and that of more junior staff

To undertake the comprehensive specialist assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills

To formulate an appropriate, individual management and/or treatment programme, using clinical reasoning skills, setting objectives, timed goals and ensuring treatment progression with a variety of manual and treatment techniques

To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients, relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of the Lymphoedema Service and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.

To be prepared to contribute to the development of the service.

To undertake all aspects of clinical duties, as an autonomous practitioner.

To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your own work, including the management of patients in your care.

To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain consent and work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.

To evaluate patient progress, re-assessing and altering treatment programmes as appropriate.

To manage clinical risk within own patient caseload.

To be responsible for the provision and ordering of appropriate equipment to meet the patients functional needs.

To be responsible for the safe and competent use of appropriate equipment, gym equipment and patient appliances and aids.

To communicate complex, sensitive or contentious information to patients, carers and members of the MDT, overcoming barriers to communication such as e.g. aphasia, language difficulties, or deafness.

Professional ResponsibilitiesTo keep up to date with relevant developments within the field of Lymphoedema, disseminating information and ensuring that practice is based on the best available evidence

To be a resource for advice to colleagues working in other clinical areas

To comply with the NMC & BLS guidelines for professional practice

To comply with national and local policies and procedures.

To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and carers and contribute to the provision of a service that is sensitive to these needs.

To undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice, audit and outcome measures, either individually or with more senior therapists.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practise through CPD activities, maintaining a portfolio to reflect this.

To be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review. This may be inter- or intra-professionally.To undertake as directed the collection of data for use in service audit. To be involved with research into specific areas of practice and service delivery as part of MDT audit and departmental research activities.

To be responsible and accountable for ensuring that all staff under your direction comply with Trust Infection Control policies and clinical guidelines.

To participate in audit / research projects relevant to Lymphoedema and / or multidisciplinary services, supporting the dissemination of findings at a local level.

To demonstrate understanding and application of national guidelines and legislation relating to Health & Social Care and your clinical area, and their impact on service provision.

To demonstrate skills in critical analysis of research and evidence and share/apply the findings.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Application and interview

Interview

Essential: - oExperience of recent effective team working; - oExperience of undertaking clinical audit and/or research in clinical practice

Desirable: - oParticipation in service development and change management

Interview

Essential: - oExperience of applying the principles of Clinical Governance within Practice

Interview

Essential: - oExperience of undertaking clinical audit and/or research in clinical practice

Desirable: - oFacilitating training and education