Health Care Assistant (Lymphoedema)

To work as an effective part of the lymphoedema team assisting in the provision of a high level of specialist lymphoedema care under the direction of a Lymphoedema Practitioner. The care provided will be in accordance with the values set out by the hospice thus ensuring that we can achieve the vision and mission of Teesside Hospice.

About us

At Teesside Hospice, we believe in making every moment count. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional, specialist care and support to patients and their families during challenging times. People are at our core. We offer a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and are always aiming for the highest standards and working environment. Our teams work positively together, collaborating to ensure our patients get the best care, and staff enjoy a fulfilling career knowing they make a real difference in people's lives. Our values are Compassionate, Skilled, Accountable, Trustworthy and Principled - working here means being part of a community that focuses on empathy, respect and teamwork. We're there for everyone who needs us and are on a mission to change the way society and healthcare systems care for people.

Job responsibilities

• To maintain patient confidentiality and abide by Information Governance Standards at all times.
• To maintain a healthy and safe environment for all patients, staff and visitors and demonstrate awareness of risk management and infection prevention and control.
• To participate in agreed programmes of care ensuring that all care given is clearly and accurately documented in line within standards and seeking support from senior staff as necessary.
• Following training and assessment of competence to educate the patient on how to self-manage lymphoedema.
• To teach the patient on the cornerstones of lymphoedema management, including skin care, exercise, fitting of compression hosiery and self-lymphatic drainage.
• Record limb volumes.
• To manage your workload/tasks as designated by the registered clinician leading the team.
• To actively participate in clinical audit.
• To ensure the maintenance of confidentiality including accurate and timely records.
• To liaise with and provide relevant information to other members of the multidisciplinary team, both internally and externally.
• To monitor stock levels and order products as required.
• To have an awareness of costs of supplies and clinic budget.
• With direction/supervision from Lymphoedema Practitioner, following a care plan once competencies completed, perform higher level of skills:
• Kinesio Tape
• Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Therapy
• Knowledge of Cellulitis and its management
• To understand contra-indications in Lymphoedema management, to be aware of red flags and when to raise concerns with a Lymphoedema Practitioner.
• To understand how Lymphoedema management can be modified in Palliative Care.
• Under direction of the Lymphoedema Practitioner and following the care plan, fit compression garments in the patients home/Care Home following the Lone worker Policy.
• To adhere to Teesside Hospice policies, procedures, guidelines and standards at all times and to promote these to others.
• Adopt the role of link worker / link practitioner as required by the hospice management team.
• Attend and participate in an annual appraisal and regular reviews of performance and objectives, identifying gaps in knowledge/skills and developing a plan to enhance service and self-development.
• To encourage and promote the philosophy of Teesside Hospice and present a good public image, to co-operate with all staff in maintaining good relationships with outside agencies in order to uphold the charity's image and to win increased support for its work.
• To be able to communicate effectively with all members of the team and to develop excellent relationships with community teams as appropriate to the role.
• To participate in mandatory Clinical supervision or reflective practice as necessary as directed by the clinical leader.
• To attend staff meetings and participate in other meetings as appropriate.
• To undertake risk assessment and management to ensure that staff, families, and visitors are safe.
• To be aware of the adult and child protection procedures and policy within Teesside Hospice, to attend all safeguarding training and to adhere to the Local Safeguarding Procedures at all times.
• To participate in the induction of new staff to the department and wider hospice as necessary.
• To support student nurses during their placement at Teesside Hospice and work alongside them as directed by the registered nurse.
• To be able to carry out effective complaint, accident and incident reporting.
• To play an active part in the Clinical Governance framework within the hospice.
• To be aware of the Infection Prevention and Control policies and work in accordance with IPC procedures at all times.
• To be aware of, and responsive to, the changing nature of the Hospice and adopt a flexible and pro-active approach to work.
• To undertake administration changes in accordance with hospice policy.
• To ensure that your behaviour upholds the values of the hospice and strive to support the vision and mission of Teesside at all times.

Education & Training

• Attend all mandatory training courses i.e. Resuscitation, Moving and Handling, and Health and Safety training.
• Access THCF in-house training programme to further develop your knowledge.
• Attend and complete relevant Lymphoedema Training, including Lymphoedema Theory and Practice.
• Attend and complete clinical skills training relevant to Lymphoedema and chronic illness.
• Maintain own Portfolio, and complete core competencies.

Delivering to our Values

• Accountable: Able to justify actions or decisions, takes personal responsibility for their actions, able to describe the impact of their work in a way others understand, welcomes feedback as an opportunity to grow and develop.
• Trustworthy: Working collaboratively with beneficiaries, colleagues, partners and supporters, being authentic and transparent, trusted to respond to needs and deliver what is expected of us, projecting a professional image that engenders trust.
• To adhere to professional and clinical standards, maintain appropriate boundaries and relationships which are built on trust and honesty, avoid and speak out against any actions, or behaviours, that conflict with our values or could cause harm to any stakeholders, demonstrate strong moral principles which embody Teesside Hospice's vision and bring our values to life.
• Do the right thing even in difficult situations, and always endeavour to work effectively and efficiently to maximise results and service.
• Having and showing the knowledge, ability or training to work well, seeking opportunities to learn from a wide range of sources, contributing to the provision of excellent, safe and effective care no matter what your role is in the organisation, ensuring that the treatment, support and services we offer are effective.
• Feeling or showing kindness and concern for others, able to empathise with people dealing with a terminal illness, being kind in use of language and behaviour, caring for others who need our support and help.

All employees are expected to:

• Live the Hospice's values so that the highest standards of patient and customer care can be achieved.
• Be committed to diversity and inclusion of all, promote and improve service standards, so that excellence in all that we do is pursued through continuous improvement.
• Contribute to development of and strive to meet departmental, team and individual targets.
• Participate in the staff appraisal and development scheme, one to one performance discussions and attend identified training to ensure continuous learning and improvement.
• Comply fully with the Code of Conduct, health and safety requirements, legislation, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Attend meetings or provide services outside of the usual working hours where reasonably requested to do so.
• Have an overall understanding of the risks and implications associated with the requirements of the role and take appropriate action to mitigate any potential consequences.
• Embrace digital ways of working to help improve efficiency and save costs to the Charity.
• Respect privacy and dignity of all users of the Teesside Hospice service.

Person Specification

• Skills & Abilities: Good listening and excellent interpersonal skills/communication skills.
• An ability to manage challenging situations.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Personal Attributes/ Key skills: Self-awareness and an ability to recognize stress and use coping mechanisms, flexible, approachable and trustworthy, commitment and interest in learning and personal development, commitment and interest in developing knowledge/skill in Lymphoedema and its management.

Qualifications

• Minimum level NVQ level 2 or 3 in Health & Social Care.
• A good standard of general education.

Experience

• An understanding of what a person-centred approach.
• Some experience of working with patients with life limiting illness or end of life care.
• Understanding of and adherence to patient confidentiality.
• Understanding of safeguarding and preventing patients from abuse.

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.