ST JOSEPH’S HOSPICE
JOB DESCRIPTION - LEAD MASSAGE THERAPIST
Band:
Band 5
Responsible to:
Complementary Therapies Co-ordinator
Accountable to:
Head of Supportive Care
Job Purpose:
To work with the complementary therapies team to organise and provide massage and other complementary
therapies to people supported by St. Joseph’s Hospice, working closely with other hospice professionals and
volunteer complementary therapists to plan and provide effective care.
Background:
St. Joseph’s Hospice provides specialist palliative care to people with progressive and life threatening
conditions, their families and carers. This care is holistic in nature, provided in a variety of settings – spanning
inpatient, community and outpatient services. An integral component of this provision is that of
complementary therapies.
The lead massage therapist will be appointed to work with the Complementary Therapies team to help
organise, supervise and provide massage and complementary therapies for hospice users. They will work as
part of a growing team of complementary therapists, the majority serving as volunteers. The lead massage
therapist will work as part of an interdisciplinary hospice team and will help to identify people who could
benefit from complementary therapies, help plan their care, treat as appropriate, evaluate input and make
recommendations regarding any further care required. They have a key role in supporting volunteer therapists
and in training other health professionals working in the hospice regarding complementary therapies and their
appropriate utilisation. Where appropriate the lead massage therapist may teach their colleagues some basic
related skills. .
Main Responsibilities:
CLINICAL
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Contribute to holistic assessment of patient’s needs, working closely with other members of the hospice
multi professional team to identify opportunities for the provision of massage and other complementary
therapies as part of their care plan.
Provide the highest quality massage and complementary therapy care to patients and family/carers
under the care of St Joseph's Hospice. Recognising the importance of liaising with other professionals,
both within the hospice and with external colleagues, to report on progress and outcomes of treatment.
This provision may be in the form of individual or group sessions and could take place in the hospice,
outpatient or community settings including the patient’s home
Evaluate individual programmes of care as a basis for planning further input as appropriate
Attend First Contact Team meetings that take place daily to discuss incoming referrals, to identify
opportunities for providing massage and complementary therapies to people with unmet needs.
Help organise appointments for patients referred to the service, using an electronic booking system as
appropriate, confirming the booking with the relevant team/department as required
Keep accurate records of all care provided to patients and their carers, contributing to individual patient
notes and the electronic clinical database
Help contribute to the development and maintenance of the physical environment in which
complementary therapies are provided to ensure a relaxing, private space for this provision
Be responsible for the safe use and storage of professional equipment such as massage oils and waxes.
Take a lead on the stock control and ordering of massage oils and waxes, and massage associated
equipment.
Work in accordance with the massage governing body Code of Ethics and Safe Practice, Complementary
Therapy Policy and National Guidelines for the use of Complementary therapies in Supportive and
Palliative Care.
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Be aware of any developments and changes regarding complementary therapies at national level,
sharing these with team members as appropriate.
AUDIT
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Ensure that all complementary therapy provision, including volunteer appointments and interventions are
recorded and monitored
Undertake a patient centred evaluation of the clinical encounter and record findings onto a data base for
qualitative and quantitative analysis.
EDUCATION
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Help promote understanding and awareness of massage and complementary therapies throughout the
hospice through awareness sessions, discussion with colleagues and provision of related information
Assist in the facilitation of workshops, talks, demonstrations and open days for colleagues, staff, patients
and carers under the guidance of the complementary therapies coordinator
Attend regular CPD and statutory training sessions within the hospice.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATION
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Adopt the role of mentor/buddy for volunteer therapists working within the hospice to ensure that they
feel supported in their role at the hospice and have a dedicated point of access for any information
required.
In the absence of the complementary therapies coordinator to respond to any concerns or queries on the
part of the volunteer therapist or a paid member of staff.
Ensure that volunteers provide a high quality and appropriate complementary therapy intervention, and
advise the complementary therapy coordinator of concerns about treatment provided.
SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
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Engage with patients and other users to identify opportunities for service development in the future
Engage with other hospice professionals including Heads of Department to identify opportunities for
improving and developing massage and complementary therapy provision in the hospice
Attend regular practitioner meetings to share ideas for service development and promote a team
approach to this provision for the future
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
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Identify own learning and development needs in order to meet the key requirements of the post
Take responsibility for linking own development needs with the Hospice appraisal and objective setting
process
Take responsibility for own continuing development by undertaking specific areas of work/projects to
develop new skills
Plus where appropriate
Take responsibility for own professional development, including keeping up to date with relevant
professional and other developments at local and national levels
Engage in supervision to support personal and professional development
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Comply with and promote St Joseph’s Hospice Equal Opportunity Policy and avoid any behaviour which
discriminates against colleagues, potential employees, patients/clients or their families on the grounds of sex,
marital status, race, age, belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion, disability, creed, class,
gender or sexual orientation.
MISSION & CORE VALUES
All Hospice staff are expected to work in line with St Joseph’s Mission & Core Values as these precepts act as
a value base which directly influences how all work activities are undertaken. The ethos of the Hospice should
be apparent in the behaviours and attitudes of all employees as the work they undertake, whether it is direct
or indirect care is ultimately for the benefit of patients. The Mission and Core Values are an integral part of all
job descriptions, the probationary period and performance and development reviews. (full details are
attached)
HEALTH & SAFETY
Ensure a safe working environment and be aware of responsibilities under the Health & Safety at Work Act,
taking appropriate action in the event of an accident to patients, staff, self or any other person in the work
area.
St Joseph’s Hospice operates a no smoking policy.
THIS JOB DESCRIPTION WILL BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND MAY INCLUDE
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, FOLLOWING DISCUSSION WITH JOB HOLDER AND THEIR MANAGER
August 2015
MISSION STATEMENT OF ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPICE
Our Mission is:
1)
To treat each individual as unique
 Valuing them without distinction or judgement
 Respecting their culture
 Respecting their beliefs – be they religious or otherwise
2)
To enable all to reach their full potential until death
 Valuing what they have to offer
 Respecting the autonomy of the individual
 Encouraging them to participate in their own care, together with
their family and friends
3)
To confront the patient’s pain and distress whether physical, mental, social or spiritual
 Through close co-operation between all of the disciplines involved
in the care of the patient and family members
4)
To encourage openness and honesty when communicating with the patient and family members
 By respecting the patient’s wish to question or remain silent
 By respecting the patient’s confidentiality at all times
5)
To create an atmosphere where healing can occur
 Through meeting the patient’s needs as a person
 Through accepting the terminal dimensions of the illness
 Through a holistic approach of care
6)
To show particular concern for staff at all levels
 Through consultation and participation in decision making
 Through staff support
7)
To be committed to education, research and an ethical approach to care
 Through the work of the Study Centre and Ethics Committee
 Ensuring that research projects are carried out when deemed appropriate
8)
To be committed to the development of palliative care
 Throughout the United Kingdom
 And further afield
9)
To participate actively in National Associations
 Of the various palliative care disciplines – medical, nursing, social work and chaplaincy
CORE VALUES OF THE RELIGIOUS SISTERS OF CHARITY
RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY
We respect human dignity when we:
 Respect the sacredness of life
 Care for the whole person
 Demonstrate unity of purpose, while recognising individual differences
 Value each person’s contribution
 Act in a culturally appropriate manner
SERVICE / QUALITY
We provide service when we:
 Create an environment of welcome and hospitality
 Promote quality care and excellence
 Encourage and demonstrate team spirit
 Recognise the value of individual initiatives and ideas
 Show an openness to constructive criticism and feedback
CARE OF THE POOR AND VULNERABLE / ADVOCACY
We care for the poor and vulnerable when we:
 Listen attentively to identify unmet needs
 Respond in a practical way to those in need
 Collaborate with others to share resources
 Create access to needed services
 Provide basic resources for daily living to those in need
COMPASSION
We show compassion when we:
 Act with understanding and sensitivity
 Work cooperatively with others
 Are available to those we serve and to each other
 Respect and nurture the environment
JUSTICE
We promote justice when we:
 Act with integrity
 Respect the rights of others
 Take responsibility for our actions
 Preserve resources
 Provide quality without extravagance
 Demonstrate fairness in decision making
 Affirm, celebrate and develop the gifts and talents of each person
 Model justice in all aspects of business practice