Lymphoedema Practitioner

• Providing specialist lymphoedema assessment, treatment and ongoing management for patients with a range of complex needs.
• Developing individualised treatment and management plans in partnership with patients, their carers ad healthcare professionals.
• Providing specialist treatments including Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Simple Lymphatic Drainage, compression therapy and multi-layer lymphoedema bandaging.
• Working collaboratively across the multidisciplinary team and with other specialist services to ensure patients receive the best possible care.
• Supporting the development and improvement of the Lymphoedema Service, contributing to new and innovative approaches to care.
• Supporting education and development for patients, carers, healthcare professionals, students and colleagues.

• To provide a specialist Lymphoedema Service to people with lymphoedema, helping them maintain and/or improve their quality of life through a range of therapeutic actions and activities
• Undertake holistic assessment of patients and develop, implement and consolidate programmes of care for individuals and their carers
• Demonstrate sound clinical knowledge/skills in the provision of lymphoedema care and ensure these are updated; and
• To act as a resource and support to Hospice staff and community professionals by offering specialist knowledge and skills in lymphoedema management.

• Support the Lymphoedema Team Leader and other members of the Lymphoedema team in the management of a defined caseload of patients across multiple sites, providing care for mild to severe, complex complicated chronic oedema which will encompass the provision of manual lymphatic drainage and multi-layer bandaging
• Act as a resource in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of all patients with lymphoedema, recognising individual physical and psychological needs and observing the principles of holistic care when planning treatment, which are sensitive to the ethnic, cultural and spiritual needs of the person
• Formulate individualised patient management and treatment plans in agreement with patient and/or carers, enabling them to make informed choices and decisions related to treatment
• Ensure patients and/or carers are given appropriate oral and written information regarding planned care
• Provide emotional and psychosocial support to lymphoedema patients facing chronic disease and life limiting illnesses including those with advanced disease
• Communicate sensitive and complex information effectively to patients and carers
• Maintain an accurate and effective record keeping system, collect data and provide reports as required, including electronic systems
• Develop and maintain skills required to practice within the field of lymphoedema management in order to assess and diagnose specific symptoms within the scope of practice, advise other health care professionals about appropriate interventions according to the patients requirements
• Work in collaboration with colleagues and members of the multidisciplinary team to provide the highest possible standard of care and support for patients & their families with lymphedema
• Provide evidence-based professional advice to other health care workers within the area
• Refer to other specialist services where appropriate
• Accept and prioritise referrals to the service, organise own workload
• Promote evidence-based lymphoedema practice with measurable standards and outcomes, aiming to improve care and quality of life
• Ensure registration with own professional body and is aware of their Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice
• Be responsible for the maintenance and safety of all lymphoedema equipment, including carrying out related risk assessments as requested
• Ensure the cost-effective use of all resources including responsibility for issuing of compression garments and equipment to manage lymphedema
• Support the Lymphoedema Team Leader to redesign and reshape the Lymphoedema service and ensure the implementation of change ensuring the service remains responsive to the needs of patients; and
• Contribute to the development of new and innovative approaches to the delivery and development of care.

• Identify personal training and continually update and maintain own self-development and awareness, identifying and utilising appropriate educational and study resources in line with professional regulating body requirements
• Participate in the planning and delivery of lymphoedema education for health care professionals, patients and carers, using a variety of approaches to education
• Participate in the Hospices mandatory training programme
• Participate in the assessment of the lymphoedema educational needs of patients, carers and staff
• Participate in the Hospice in-house educational programmes and the in-service induction and training of other professionals and volunteers as required, involving mentorship of pre and post registration students, teaching assessing individuals and groups
• Consistently draw on research and literature to influence specialist lymphoedema practice
• Participate in the development and delivery of formal educational programmes both internally and externally; and
• Provide the opportunity for the education of learners from a variety of professions.

• All employees are required to abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act, attend annual mandatory training sessions and ensure they comply with Hospice policies and procedures at all times
• Employees must demonstrate commitment to their own personal development and are required to make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice
• Strict confidentiality applying to all aspects of Hospice business must be observed at all times; and
• Report promptly to the Team Leader or Director of Clinical Services any untoward incident, complaint, grievance etc or other aspect likely to affect the safe and efficient functioning of the service.

• All of our staff felt they make a real difference and are proud to work for the Hospice
• 97% of employees said they enjoy working with our team

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Enhanced sick pay and contributory pension scheme
• Staff wellbeing support, including Employee Assistance Program, complementary therapy sessions, clinical supervision and access to occupational health support
• Eligibility for Blue Light Card discounts
• Discounted on-site meals during working hours
• Discounted local gym memberships
• Free on-site car parking
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities
• Annual salary review

Essential

• Possess a demonstrable level of theoretical and clinical knowledge of Lymphoedema management
• Be able to use appropriate assessment techniques
• Be able to formulate specific and appropriate management plans including the setting of timescales
• Be competent in the application of compression garments and lymphoedema bandaging
• Be competent in the practise of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Simple Lymphatic Drainage
• Understand the need to establish and maintain a safe practice environment
• Awareness of National guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care provision
• Evidence of post graduate study
• Contributing to the development of students and other staff

Essential

• Demonstrable experience as nurse or allied health professional
• Post registration experience in Lymphoedema management or willing to work towards
• Involvement in professional practice education
• Ability to work autonomously and make decisions
• Involvement in professional practice education

Essential

• Registered Practitioner Nurse/ Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist
• Diploma level course in lymphoedema management incorporating intensive therapy, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), MLLB, or willing to work towards
• Recognised teaching and assessing qualification

Essential

• Positive professional approach and image
• Personal drive and resilience
• Possesses a wide range of interpersonal skills including ability to prioritise, delegate & negotiate
• Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to working practice to facilitate effective team working
• Ability to adapt to fluctuating environments and complex situations
• Ability to work on own initiative and take responsibility for specific tasks
• Willingness and ability to travel to sites where the service is delivered
• Holds a valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle