Specialist Lymphoedema Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Responsible for the provision of appropriate, high quality care to a defined specialist practitioner caseload.

To undertake appropriate external courses and gain qualifications required to develop specialist knowledge in lymphoedema management

Responsible for workload planning and delegation of work to other team members, taking into account competence levels.

Undertake holistic assessments of need for the patient and family, which may be highly complex, using the appropriate model of care and evidence-based practice.

Work in partnership with other professionals to enable patients/clients to be maintained in an appropriate environment, thus avoiding hospital admission.

Provide advice to patients, clients, and carers on a wide range of health issues to include health promotion, lifestyle advice and health care.

Ensure that the team provides a high-quality clinical service to its clients by participation in caseload and clinical supervision.

In conjunction with the team leader, develop new ways of working to provide a responsive service to patients with both planned and unplanned care needs.

Develop partnerships and joint working within other agencies as appropriate

Maintain registration in line with professional bodies.

Clinically lead, direct, mentor and support the team.

Support the team leader in the development of caseload management across the local health economy.

Acts as an advocate and champion for patients and/or clients.

Act as a role model to team members and students so that patients/clients receive the most effective care possible.

Contribute to the development of policy and services to reflect the needs of the local neighbourhood population.

Participate in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the clinical team contract/objectives.

Provide information to the team leader on staff and patient/client activity as requested, to enable the effective management of the team.

Support the team leader in the implementation of practice development, improvement, and service modernisation initiatives.

Support the team leader by monitoring and recording sickness and absence, capability, and other issues within the team, reporting them as soon as possible.

In conjunction with other caseload holders, provide day-to-day supervision and support for the team.

Support the team leader in providing induction to the local working environment, clinical services and policies for new team members and students.

Undertake personal development plans with other members of the team, as delegated by the team leader.

Communicate with the multi-disciplinary team to provide best outcomes for patients/clients; this may include organising case conferences related to highly complex cases.

Participate in individual and group supervision.

Monitor record keeping within the team and inform the team leader of any issues.

This includes record keeping and improving clinical competency. Support the implementation of any initiatives to improve quality within the clinical governance framework.

Participate in patient satisfaction reporting to improve patient care.

Work with the team leader to ensure achievement of your own personal development plan.

Maintain up to date knowledge and competence in line with professional and service requirements and demonstrate critical thinking, decision-making and reflective skills to ensure own professional development.

Support the Team Leader in creating an environment in which learning, and practice development is fostered, evaluated, and disseminated.

Facilitate effective learning within the area of practice for all students and practitioners.

Facilitate pre and post registration student placements within the team.

Mentor and assess pre-registration students.

Participation in clinical audits and research, as required.

The post holder shall as necessary provide cover for and undertake duties of absent colleagues.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills
• Risk assessment skills
• Ability to travel to work across boundaries Self-management and motivation skills
• IT literate

Values

Essential

• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability
• Respectfulness
• Enthusiasm
• Support
• Responsive to service users
• Engaging leadership style
• Strong customer service belief
• Transparency and honesty
• Discreet

Knowledge/ Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable post registration qualifications and/or experience in the identified specialised field of lymphoedema
• Experience of successful multiagency working
• Understanding of long-term condition management
• Evidence of CPD/Short courses
• Awareness of current national and local agenda in health and social care
• Understanding of partnership working
• Understanding of the principles of care management
• Awareness of factors that contribute to good health and the importance of promoting these in line with organisational public health policy
• Evidence of being able to communicate complex information and advice on healthcare to patients/clients, carers and colleagues
• Knowledge of current best practice relating to chronic oedema, lymphoedema and lipoedema

Desirable

• Management and clinical leadership experience
• Palliative care experience

Qualifications

Essential

• Current registered Nurse, Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist qualification Teaching/mentorship qualification or equivalent or equivalent work based experience
• Lymphoedema qualification/equivalent experience or be willing to work toward a recognised diploma/degree qualification

Desirable

• V300 Prescriber, if required for the post
• Clinical Examination

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).