Pediatric Palliative Care Massage Therapist

Overview

Responsible for providing massage therapy to patients according to the team’s written plan of care. As deemed appropriate, provide limited instruction in massage therapy for family care givers.

• Performs assessments to determine therapeutic and functional goals for patients.
• Performs massage therapy procedures in consultation with the patient, caregiver, and hospice team.
• Provides report to the team on the patient’s response to therapy or changes in condition.
• Attends interdisciplinary team meetings as requested.
• Provides in-service programs for hospice team as requested.
• Maintain and complete required charting, records, and reports in the agency’s electronic medical record per agency policy.
• Continual program development and evaluation of massage therapy services.
• Be flexible in meeting patient/family needs that require evenings and weekends.
• Participate in agency committees and functions as requested and appropriate.
• Demonstrates good verbal and written communication, and organization skills.
• Proficient in massage therapy.
• Proficient in utilizing massage therapy techniques to assist the patient and family with the following:

• Pain, discomfort
• Anxiety, restlessness, respiratory difficulties, insomnia
• Depression, emotional outlet
• Lack of support system, isolation
• Anticipatory grief, multiple losses
• Ability to create a safe environment
• Understanding and working knowledge of the differences between adults’ and children’s reaction to grief and life threatening situations