Complementary Therapist

There is requirement that therapies are provided at NCCC however there may be a requirement to travel to other NUTH sites and deliver complementary therapies in accordance with NHS policies, infection control standards, and patient safety guidelines.

You will need to be able to work closely with the nursing and medical teams to identify patients who would benefit from the services provided

The right candidate will be able to cope well under potentially emotional circumstances, remaining calm, caring and professional at all times. You will be able to communicate effectively and sensitively, whilst have an understanding of the complex needs of patients undergoing cancer treatments.

The role will require you to be in contact with patients, their families and a wide range of medical professionals involved in their care. There may be times where this is distressing or where there are barriers to communication

There will be a requirement to access and update patient records accurately, documenting consent for treatments, treatments provided and any other relevant information - you will also be required to communicate information to the wider medical teams so will require strong communication and IT skills. You will need to be highly organised and able to manage your own caseload of patients.

You would be expected to promote patient education and wellbeing through holistic approaches.

We are looking for people who are sensitive and caring with good listening and communication skills, they will be able to use their assessment skills and techniques to provide complementary therapy interventions appropriate to the patients condition, their cancer and its treatment. You will need to be able to provide and receive complex and sensitive patient information to and from the wider multidisciplinary team.

You will manage your own caseload with support from the lead therapist and from the senior nursing team and will be able to work without direct supervision. You will need to liaise with the multidisciplinary team to establish which patients are appropriate for input of complimentary therapies.

You will be required to access, review and document your interventions into NHS Patient systems to ensure continuity of care is provided and that comprehensive patient treatment records are kept.

We aim for the service to continue to grow and expand to provide excellent care and support for our patients, therefore we are looking for forward thinking individuals who would like to be involved in this highly valued service.

This role can be physically demanding requiring you to stand, sit and walk with a trolley containing therapy items, and potential moving and handling of patients as part of their therapy treatment.

If you have the required skills and feel you are the right person for the role please come and join us in providing the very best care for our patients.

The role will require periods of autonomous working (and alongside the lead therapist) to provide a full complimentary therapy service for the patients in NCCC this will potentially include the following therapies:

Acupuncture*

Aromatherapy

Indian Head massage

Massage (including light touch massage)

Mindfulness

Reflexology

Reiki (Level Two or above)

As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.

With around 2 million contacts with patients every year, we deliver care from:

• Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
• Freeman Hospital
• Newcastle Dental Hospital
• Cramlington Manor Walks
• Urgent treatment centres
• Newcastle Fertility Centre
• Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbria
• Northern Genetics Service

These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.

We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.

Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.

For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Essential: - oRecognised degree qualification in two or more complementary therapies or diploma plus experience to degree level; - oCurrent membership of a professional body

Essential: - oEvidence of recent and relevant experience of working within the NHS or other equivalent healthcare setting; - oEvidence of on-going continuous professional development; - oEvidence of good communication and interpersonal skills; - oEffective report writing skills; - oHas understanding / experience of adult / child safeguarding; - oEvidence of ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

Desirable: - oExperience of working with people affected by cancer; - oSpecialist training in therapy/adaption techniques for cancer patients

Essential: - oGood IT Skills; - oAble to work independently or as part of a team; - oEffective organisational and time management skills; - oTherapies required are Aromatherapy, Massage, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Reiki, "M" technique

Desirable: - oTherapies required are Aromatherapy, Massage, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Reiki, "M" technique