Lymphoedema Practitioner

Responsible for: Providing high quality assessment and treatment plans to patients referred into the service and supporting service development and delivery We recognise the skills required to undertake this role require a period of mentorship and training, so this is a development opportunity. Purpose of Job: To provide a high quality specialist lymphoedema service promoting individual treatment and care programmes, as part of the multi- disciplinary team. Job purpose: To undertake the management plan set out by the Lymphedema specialist To assess and treat patients with Lymphoedema, both Primary and Secondary, who may have complex and/or chronic presentations. The Lymphoedema Service is predominantly clinic-based but also includes in-patient ward cover. 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 develop appropriate assessment skills in evaluating the patients condition and in progressing and executing appropriate treatment plans 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. Maintain accurate records and managements plan reviews 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 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 represent the Lymphoedema Service, giving specialised advice to MDT members when required. To participate in the efficient running of the Lymphoedema Service, working closely with and supporting the other members of the team. To provide education and support to community colleagues, including specific Lymphodema training and education. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management and that of more junior staff. Organisation Ability to organise time effectively, creating work schedules, prioritising workload and meeting deadlines Using Initiative Able to take responsibility for own actions and make decisions without referring to others Resilience Ability to remain calm and self-controlled under pressure Communication Experience of communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, adapting style to suit the audience To communicate effectively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team, about patient issues, in order to facilitate a team approach to patient care; writing to General Practitioners etc. To communicate effectively with patients and carers in order to maximise therapeutic outcomes, and to ensure understanding of the condition. Communication skills in persuasion, motivation and explanation will be used. Barriers to effective communication will occasionally be encountered e.g. hearing loss, Special Needs To assess capacity, gain consent and have ability to work within a legal framework and to support other staff to do likewise Team Working Ability to develop effective and supportive relationships with colleagues Influencing and Negotiating Experience of influencing, convincing or negotiating with others in a way that results in acceptance and behaviour change Building Relationships Ability to quickly build a rapport and establish professional relationships with others, based on trust and understanding Client Focus Ability to ensure the patient is central to all decisions made regarding management of care IT skills Ability to use Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and Outlook. Knowledge of the workings of databases Personal and Professional Responsibilities: To work the contracted hours appropriate to enhancing the availability of the service for the patients. To maintain personal Clinical Professional Development (CPD), by incorporating them, as appropriate, into work practice. To be an active participant in in-service training, by attendance at staff meetings and by leading and participating in tutorials, training sessions and external courses as appropriate to your role in the department To 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 communicate effectively and to work in collaboration with MDT colleagues across the Health and Social Care sectors, ensuring delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service To participate in the staff appraisal scheme To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out duties and to adhere to departmental Health and Safety policy, including the competence to use the equipment. Also, to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice, including manual handling. To maintain accurate and up to date documentation in line with legal and departmental requirements, including the production of appropriate reports, letters and treatment summaries. To be aware of the health and safety aspects of your work and to implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including the prompt reporting and recording of accidents. To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures, and to be involved in the reviewing and updating of these, as appropriate. To fulfil the requirements of mandatory training as dictated by the organisation. To carry out any other duties, which might be considered appropriate by the team leader or Service Manager