Lymphoedema Therapist (Manual Lymphatic Drainage Specialist)

Job overview

• To work as an autonomous practitioner and effectively deliver an expert service within the specialist area of Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Multi Layer Lymphoedema Bandaging.
• To effectively manage a caseload of patients/clients
• To ensure that patients and their families are fully informed and supported by providing clinical and social support
• To support the development of evidence based clinical practice in line with current research and guidelines
• To establish clear lines of communication within the specialty team to ensure cohesive multidisciplinary management of patients
• To link with healthcare teams in order to increase knowledge and facilitate the care of this group of people in the community
• The post holder will work closely with the Lymphoedema team and under the supervision of a Lymphoedema Specialist Practitioner / Nurse Consultant in Lymphoedema.
• The post holder will report any concerns immediately to the Lymphoedema Specialist Practitioners / Team Lead / Consultants in Lymphoedema in charge of the case.
• From time to time the post holder will be expected to support personnel undergoing training in MLD and MLLB.

Main duties of the job

* Provide a confident and competent specialist lymphoedema service, delivering Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Multi-Layer Lymphoedema Bandaging (MLLB) in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

* Assess, implement, evaluate and adapt treatment plans to meet individual patient needs.

* Manage a patient caseload, run specialist clinics and work autonomously to deliver evidence-based care.

* Provide specialist advice, education and support to patients, families and healthcare professionals throughout diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

* Maintain accurate patient records and ensure all care is delivered in accordance with Trust policies, agreed protocols and national standards.

* Liaise with ward staff, discharge coordinators and the multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless patient care, safe discharge planning and appropriate follow-up.

* Support the development of clinical protocols, patient pathways and service improvements to enhance continuity and quality of care.

* Promote patient safety by identifying and managing risks, reporting incidents and ensuring high standards of clinical governance.

* Work collaboratively with community services, social care and voluntary organisations to support integrated patient care.

* Actively seek patient feedback, contribute to service development and support the implementation of patient group directives and local service initiatives.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To ensure all patients are fully informed of the risks and benefits of proposed procedures / treatments, contributing to the process of securing informed consent
• To produce and provide all patients with relevant and accessible written information regarding their treatment in accordance with Trust standards
• To supervise and participate in the delivery of programmes of education and training according to the identified needs of clients, carers and other involved in their care
• To work with other clinical staff to identify knowledge gaps in relation to specialist patients and ensure staff are appropriately educated
• To contribute to the development of specialist practice within the team
• To actively participate in educational events provided by the Trust and primary care sector
• To attend meetings and conferences as appropriate ensuring that you are fully conversant with current issues both within the Trust and within the specialist services locally and nationally
• To promote and facilitate evidence based practice and clinical audit within the Trust, raising the profile and enhancing the contribution of nursing to patient care and informing business and service development plans
• To participate in and assist with any appropriate/relevant Trust approved research projects conducted within the department
• To utilise up to date research / evidence to deliver patient care and to disseminate this knowledge to all members of the multi-professional team
• To be aware of current research trials being conducted within own specialist area and to be able to inform patients about these
• To promote research and evidenced based practice relevant to the speciality

• Management

*

• Maintain communication with Lymphoedema Specialist Practitioner / Nurse Consultant in Lymphoedema.

• To have responsibility for the Health, Safety and Welfare of self and others and to comply at all time with the requirements of the Health and Safety Regulations.

• To ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during   the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act and its amendments

• To work in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities policy to eliminate unlawful discrimination in relation to employment and service delivery

• Promote equal opportunities for staff and clients in accordance with St. George’s Healthcare NHS Trust and Faculty of Healthcare Science Policies, to ensure that no person receives less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of sex, marital status, race, religion, colour, creed, nationality, ethnic or national origin or sexual orientation.

• Be aware and work within the policies of St. George’s Healthcare NHS Trust and Faculty of Healthcare Sciences carrying out such duties as may be required, and are consistent with the responsibility of the grade.

• To ensure skills are up-to-date and relevant to the role, to follow relevant Trust policies and professional codes and to maintain registration where this is a requirement of the role.

• To liaise effectively with all other disciplines within the Trust and at local level.
• To actively contribute to any relevant initiatives within the care group and provide support to colleagues and Heads of Nursing
• To comply with measures to actively manage and reduce risk to patients. Ensuring the formal reporting and recording of adverse incidents in line with Trust policy
• To utilise and maintain information systems to aid audit and to provide regular activity analysis reports
• Maintain contemporaneous and accurate treatment records, submitting relevant statistics, reports and activity data as requested. Ensure that confidentiality of information is adhered to and NMC standards for “Record Keeping” are met
• To participate in the evaluation of the service in terms of clinical effectiveness, clinical excellence and value for money
• To ensure the best use of available resources is used within agreed budget to provide a cost effective service
• Ensures compliance with the Trust's Equality and Diversity Policy, supporting the delivery of the Trusts Race Equality Scheme and the Trust's duty to positively promote race equality and equality of opportunity for disabled people ensuring services are responsive to the needs of equality groups
• Personal Professional Development
• To achieve a range of clinical competencies as required to fulfil the role
• To keep up-to-date with current literature and research in the speciality
• To maintain your own personal and professional development attending mandatory study sessions as required
• To undergo and actively participate in own performance appraisals
• To keep up to date with relevant specialist Faculty & Trust guidelines and protocols
• To be working towards higher degree or equivalent
• Communicate any concerns immediately to Lymphoedema Specialist Practitioner / Nurse Consultant in Lymphoedema
• General
• To comply with St. George’s Healthcare No Smoking Policies.
• To undertake such duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the grade and the needs of the service.
• Maintain treatment records of patients seen, in both medical notes and Lymphoedema Service notes.

This job description is not an exhaustive document but is a reflection of the current position. Details and emphasis may change in line with service needs after consultation with the post holder.