Complementary Therapist

Overview

MAIN DUTIES Responsible for: Providing complementary therapies to patients known to the Hospice, and their carers where appropriate. Clinical develop existing services to include a range of complementary therapies, which can be delivered to patients in their own homes. Carry out therapy treatments and provide after care advice and guidance in accordance with local policies, procedures and National Guidance (e.g. NICE and ensuring confidentiality is always maintained).

• Prioritise and coordinate complementary therapy referrals, assess each patient and offer the appropriate therapy intervention.
• Liaise and work with Hospice at Home and South Lakes Clinical Nurse Specialist (Palliative Care) team.
• Plan and participate in group activities in the South Lakes Day Services, offering small CT treatments on a regular basis.
• Always give the best standards of care, taking into consideration the holistic needs of the patient and family.
• Ensure all patient information entered on EMIS is clear, concise, legible and accurate and meets the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998; input data correctly to produce relevant reports for the Hospice and commissioners.
• Oversee records of volunteer complementary therapists' activities and monitor treatments given to patients in the community, raising concerns to the Head of Day Therapies if needed.
• Inform the Medical, Clinical team and relevant professional bodies of any adverse reactions to essential oils or products used in treatments immediately.
• Deliver on average three treatments per patient/family member and ensure appropriate and timely discharge of clients from allocated complementary therapy caseload.
• Represent the complementary therapies service within multi-disciplinary meetings as appropriate when requested.
• Report identified risks as required (e.g., safeguarding issues noted when visiting patients in their own homes).
• Be professionally accountable for own practice and adhere to the Code of Conduct as laid down by the Federation of Holistic Therapies (FHT) or similar UK governing body.
• Deliver a choice of therapies based on training and competency, to individually assessed needs, considering allergies, medical contraindications and skin integrity.
• Ensure all patient appointments are used to maximum capacity, ensuring access and availability of these essential services.
• Adhere to infection control policies and procedures when giving therapies, including correct hand washing and PPE at all times.
• Work within scope of knowledge and experience, requesting help and advice if needed.
• Avoid discrimination on grounds of sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, religion or belief, race, disability, age, pregnancy or maternity.
• Behave in a manner that ensures the security of hospice property and resources.

• Minimise waste when using products. Monitor and maintain complementary therapy stock, ensuring cost efficiency when ordering.
• Maintain professional development and audit commitments: expand professional skills and knowledge in line with relevant professional bodies and Hospice requirements; keep up to date with skills through journals and networking with other practising complementary therapists in other North West hospices.
• Keep an up-to-date portfolio to meet relevant professional bodies requirements. Participate in annual appraisal; maintain personal development including e-learning, mandatory training and own professional learning.
• Governance: work autonomously but in compliance with the relevant professional body’s code of ethics, national frameworks and local hospice policies and procedures. Ensure risk policy is adhered to and manage risks within own area of work.
• Ensure all incidents are reported to the Clinical Governance & Improvement Department using the online form. Maintain confidentiality at all times for patients, relatives, staff and volunteers. Deal promptly with complaints and refer to the Head of Day Therapy for verbal complaints and to the Director of Nursing & Quality for written complaints.
• Work within the Lone Worker policy when working in the…