Complementary Therapy Volunteer – Complementary Therapist/Aromatherapist

at  University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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.

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

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.

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.
  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.
  We put your safety and wellbeing above everything
  Deliver the best outcomes
  Keep people safe
  Reassuringly professional
  Take personal responsibility
  We offer you the kindness we would want for a loved one
  Respect individuals
  Friendly and courteous
  Attentive and helpful
  Protect your dignity
  We achieve through teamwork
  Listen and hear
  Explain and involve
  Work in partnership
  Respect everyone’s time
  We strive to keep improving
  Courage to give and receive feedback
  Efficient and simplified
  Develop through learning
  Innovate and research

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE ROLE

• NHS mandatory training covering core healthcare knowledge and skills such as infection control, information governance, fire training, safeguarding.
• Specialist induction training, provided by the Macmillan Support and Information Complementary Therapy Team and where appropriate the wider Macmillan Support and Information team. This will cover adaptations to the additional specialist needs of our patient groups for the therapy/therapies that will be offered, including essential oil safety in a cancer care setting, assessing needs and safety considerations. Infection control procedures for complementary therapists.
• Over time, as the volunteer service within this team develops, the potential to connect with other complementary therapy volunteers.
• Access to Macmillan Support and Information research forum
• In time volunteer complementary therapists who have been with our patients regularly for at least 6 months can be provided with written training material to support advanced training with the service.