Complementary Therapy Volunteer – Complementary Therapist/Aromatherapist

Job overview

ROLE OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

THIS ROLE IS CERTIFICATION SPECIFIC IF YOU DO NOT HOLD THE CORRECT CERTIFICATION PLEASE DO NOT APPLY! 

Certification needed:

• massage, aromatherapy or reflexology at a recognised college/school (Level 3/ITEC equivalent)
• To have been practicing that therapy/aromatherapy professionally for at least 2 years
• Registration with a Professional Standard’s Authority voluntary regulatory body for that therapy or therapies
• Membership of a professional association for your therapy/therapies

We are currently looking for complementary therapists and aromatherapists to volunteer within our department. As a volunteer complementary therapist/aromatherapist you will gain valuable experience of providing complementary therapy and or Aromatherapy to cancer patients in an NHS setting and the opportunity to develop these specialist skills. You will volunteer as part of a team of specialist cancer care complementary therapists (including massage therapists, aromatherapists and reflexologists) within a supportive cancer care service.

Complementary Therapist Role (massage therapists, aromatherapists and reflexologists)

This volunteer role involves providing short hands-on sessions, promoting the service and sign posting to other support services. Sessions will be provided in day care settings primarily to haematology, Red Cell and or oncology patients. The role requires that the therapist be confident to work independently and always be responsible for their own safe practice, while maintaining accountability to their complementary therapy supervisor(s).

The day care areas where chemotherapy and other treatments are delivered are busy clinical departments where complementary therapy can help patients who are stressed or anxious about their treatment or experiencing side effects. However, they require that therapists work flexibly around the needs of patient care.

Aromatherapist Role

This volunteer role involves providing aromatherapy inhaler sticks in radiotherapy and or our state-of-the-art proton beam therapy department. The role requires that the therapist be confident to work independently, be knowledgeable in providing Aroma sticks and always be responsible for their own safe practice, while maintaining accountability to their complementary therapy supervisor(s).

Aroma sticks will be provided around patients’ radiotherapy and proton beam treatment and require the therapist to work flexibly and with an awareness of making best use of their own time

resources and the available time that the patient has. These therapeutic interventions can help patients who are stressed or anxious about their treatment or experiencing side effects.

OUR WORK AT THE TRUST

We are a well-established and thriving complementary therapy team within the cancer division at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), which covers oncology, haematological cancers, and red cell conditions. We provide complementary therapies to out-patients in our purpose-built therapy rooms, to day-care and ambulatory care patients while they are receiving chemotherapy and other treatments. The complementary therapy teamwork as part of a wider support and information service which includes psychologists, support and information specialists, and welfare/benefits advisors.

Complementary therapies can make a significant difference to the wellbeing of cancer patients. They can provide a way to interact with patients, help reduce stress and anxiety, enable people to cope better with illness and pain control and may relieve some of the symptoms and side effects of cancer and their treatments. As a volunteer you would be enhancing our support and information service, helping our patients, and learning about our work in an NHS setting with Cancer patients

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MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Complementary Therapist Role (massage therapists, aromatherapists and reflexologists)

· Completing volunteer virtual sign in and out

· Reporting to complementary therapy supervisor on arrival

· Carrying out basic consultations with patients to ensure that the short session provided meets their needs and any safety considerations for their health condition.

· Managing time effectively to maximise the number of patients seen.

· Following all current PPE requirements and local infection control policies

· Keeping therapy kit clean, organised, and checking stock. Making sure relevant leaflets are fully stocked.

· Completing clear and accurate patient notes where needed which will go on the patient’s hospital records.

· Liaising with complementary therapy supervisor(s) to always ensure best practice.

· Encouraging patients to complete and return evaluation forms.

· Responding to patient enquiries and referring to appropriate services where further help is required.

· Always Representing the complementary therapy team at UCLH professionally to patients, carers, staff, and members of the public

Aromatherapist Role (as above plus)

· Making up bespoke aroma sticks for adult outpatients in radiotherapy and/or proton beam therapy or providing pre-blended sticks where appropriate

· Carrying out brief consultations with patients to ensure that the aroma stick provided meets their needs, smell preferences and any safety considerations for their health condition.

· Responding to requests from radiotherapy staff to see particular patients.

· Responding to patients requests for aromatherapy input.

· Proactively offering their services to adult NHS patients in radiotherapy and/or proton beam departments

The role description is not intended to be exhaustive, and it may evolve over time to suit the needs of the team and the skills and strengths of the volunteer.

QUALIFICATIONS, PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND REGISTRATION

· To have studied and qualified in in at least one of our therapies’ massage, aromatherapy, or reflexology at a recognised college/school (Level 3/ITEC equivalent)

· To have a substantial therapy professional practice

· Membership of a professional association for your therapy/therapies

· To hold and be responsible for maintaining current public liability and professional indemnity insurance

· To be responsible for adhering to the professional body’s codes of conduct and ethics

· Registration with a Professional Standard’s Authority voluntary regulatory body for your Therapy, CNHC or IFA

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

· To be physically fit and able to stand/walk for 4.5 hours

· All volunteers will be expected to undertake a health check prior to commencement and, if considered necessary, during their engagement with UCLH.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

· To be confident and competent in the delivery of therapy/aromatherapy, and to have the ability to adapt your sessions to the specialist needs of our vulnerable patient group.

· To be able to assess patients prior to therapy for contraindications and cautions to the complementary therapy to be given.

· To be able to adapt your practice to provide effective sessions in different settings, which on day care will include background noise, working on hospital beds or chairs and with possible interruptions.

· To gain valid, informed consent from patients and work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.

· To have the ability, once inducted, to perform your role independently while your supervisor is with their own patients or focusing on other non-clinical tasks.

· To have the ability to reflect on own clinical practice, to maintain accountability to your complementary therapy supervisor(s) and to make best use of the learning and development opportunities that this role provides.

· To have excellent communication and interpersonal skills

· To be able to present yourself in a professional manner to members of the public, patients and their families, and staff.

· To have the awareness of when to escalate a situation to complementary therapy supervisor(s) and/or staff in outpatient areas as needed when dealing with difficult or challenging situations

· To understand the health and safety implications of adherence to safe storage and use of oils and other media

· To understand and implement the principles and practice of infection control and to maintain a clean and hygienic working environment in all working areas.

· To promote and support patient’s rights by promoting individual choice, respecting beliefs and ensuring privacy and dignity at all times.

· To always maintain confidentiality

· To be able, once inducted, to complete clear, accurate and appropriate clinical records for interventions given to patients.

· To be reliable and punctual

BOUNDARIES OF THE ROLE

· Volunteers must not give out personal contact details (phone numbers, social media, email etc.) or promote their private practice through their volunteering role.

· Volunteers must have a good understanding of boundaries and be able to work within the boundaries of this role

· Therapists must only practice the therapy/therapies that a) they are qualified and registered in and b) that they have agreed with their complementary therapy supervisor(s) that they will offer at UCLH and c) using techniques and oils agreed and appropriate to use within this setting.

· Therapists must not offer advice or recommendations for which they are not qualified or which could fall outside the scope of evidence based practice/recommendations appropriate to an NHS setting

· If in any doubt, appropriate boundaries of practice, advice or conversation should be discussed with the complementary therapy supervisor(s)

BENEFITS OF THE ROLE

· The opportunity to gain experience of practicing your therapy in a clinical setting and to learn about the practice and use of complementary therapies in an NHS cancer care setting.

· Experience of providing crucial support to some of the most vulnerable people

· Experience volunteering at one of the most prestigious NHS Trusts in the UK and within a well-established complementary therapy team.

· Experience of liaising with other healthcare professionals within the outpatient settings.

· Opportunities for specialist induction and on-going training and development.

Working for our organisation

Our Vision

The Trust is committed to delivering top quality patient care, excellent education and world-class research.

We deliver our vision through values to describe how we serve patients, their families and how we are with colleagues in the Trust and beyond.