Lymphoedema Practitioner

This is a rare opportunity to join the Lymphoedema Service. We are seeking somebody to contribute to the delivery of Specialist Lymphoedema services in West Norfolk, working closely with the Lymphoedema Specialist Practitioner and members of the skin integrity team, assisting in the development of specialist and generalist clinical practice in Lymphoedema management. Ensuring the patients and carers receive patient centred, clinically effective care. Providing support, advice and education for patients, carers, and health care professionals across the healthcare community. Acting as a local resource in all matters relating to Lymphoedema care and service delivery.

The Lymphoedema service will be delivered, in line with the agreed model, across Norfolk. Clinical leadership and supervision will be provided through the Lymphoedema Specialist Practitioner.
- Assist in the development and support the implementation of specialist and generalist programmes of care for individual patients and the client group through assessment, care planning and co-ordination of care.
- Provide a level of advanced and comprehensive specialist knowledge and experience in the management and care of all patients with lymphoedema across the health community.
- Provision of Nurse/Therapist led clinics, providing advice, education, emotional and psychological support for patients presenting with lymphoedema.
- Maintain a client caseload, delivering and evaluating the effect of clinical / nursing specialist care and interventions.
- Receive and manage direct referrals of patients with lymphoedema from members of the health care team and refer patients as appropriate to others. Ensure effective and appropriate communication to the patient/carer and other health care professionals involved in their care.
- Organise and run treatment clinics including making decisions with regard to patient treatments, based on clinical judgement and assessment in conjunction with the Lead clinician or by agreed policies, protocols and procedures
- Provide clinical advice to the healthcare team, taking into account all aspects of clinical governance whilst promoting and developing the use of evidence-based practice to improve the outcomes of patient care.
- All staff are required to respect confidentiality of all matters that they learn as a result of the employment with the Trust, including matters relating to other members of the staff and members of the public/patients.
- Maintain appropriate patient and clinical records in line with the Trusts policies and procedures, and in line with the agreed service specification.
- The post holder will be expected to participate in an annual appraisal of their work where the job description will be reviewed and objectives set. In line with the annual personal development plan the post holder will be expected to undertake any training or development required to fulfil their role.
- Ensure that all patients, clients and colleagues are treated at all times in an equitable manner, respecting diversity and showing an understanding of diversity in the workplace.
- The post holder must carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the Trust’s Equality and Diversity Policies, Procedures and Schemes and must ensure that equality is promoted at all times.
- NCHC is committed to supporting our voluntary workforce and all apprentices, and all staff are expected to welcome and support volunteers and apprentices in their teams.

In accordance with professional codes maintain own professional development and competence to practice.

At all times ensure that ones own actions support and promote equality, diversity and the rights of patients, the public and colleagues within the health care environment.

Routinely collect activity data / minimum dataset which measures the specific outcomes of the service and providing evidence of specific patient outcomes.

Support Line Manager in investigating complaints and clinical incidents related to the lymphoedema service and ensure that learning takes place as a result of complaints and incidents

Participate in personal professional development programmes, taking every opportunity to develop new knowledge and acquire new skills to ensure that personal knowledge awareness and attitudes to lymphoedema is continually updated and reflects leading edge practice

Establish own support mechanisms to enable structured reflection, including the use of clinical supervision, development of supportive networks, mentoring and coaching.

Participate in an appraisal/personal development review and demonstrate the achievement of agreed personal objectives