Job summary Interviews: 2nd April 2025 Wirral Hospice St Johns is looking to recruit a competent, experienced and enthusiastic complementary therapist to lead and deliver a complementary therapy service to help alleviate physical symptoms and emotional stress to the people we support. They need to be caring and be able to work well as part of a dynamic and professional team. The role will involve recruiting, engaging and supporting qualified volunteer complementary therapists to support the service and deliver complementary therapy to the people under our care. Main duties of the job The post holder will lead and implement complementary therapies across the hospice and outreaching into the community, to people we support. They must be an enthusiastic, committed and qualified therapist who can deliver the service direct to patients, and recruit and supervise volunteer complementary therapists to provide additional therapies. The complementary therapist should be competent in more than one type of complementary therapy such as aromatherapy, massage, Indian head massage, reflexology and reiki. They should be a skilled practitioner to provide this essential service, with an ability to provide supportive and effective leadership. They will be responsible for managing an active case load, making referrals and recording appointments and outcomes on our IT system. They needs to be organised and confident in basic IT. Specific system training will be provided. Part of the role will be to set up projects, carry out service audits and meet any targets set by the line manager. They should be able to provide appropriate training to staff, volunteers and carers as and when requested. About us Wirral Hospice St Johns has over 40 years history of supporting the residents of Wirral who have incurable life limiting illness. The organisation continues to grow and develop in response to the needs of our community. Currently support is delivered by multi professional teams working in our Inpatient unit, Outpatient, Wellbeing and Hospice at Home services. The hospice benefits from being an independent charity allowing flexibility and creativity in the design and delivery of services whilst being firmly integrated with key local NHS providers. Care and support is delivered with integrity and quality. NHS Superannuation is transferrable for existing members of the NHS Pension Scheme. As a relatively small organisation we are committed to developing the skills and interests of our staff to ensure the workforce is motivated and equipped to deliver what is expected of them in a compassionate and competent manner through apprenticeships, formal training and workplace experience. Date posted 03 March 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £29,974 to £36,485 a year Prorata Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number B0245-25-0003 Job locations Wirral Hospice St. Johns Mount Road Higher Bebington Wirral Merseyside CH63 6JE Job description Job responsibilities Job Summary: This post forms part of the Patient and Family Support Services Team (PFSS) which provides emotional, psychological, spiritual and rehabilitative support to hospice patients and their close support networks. This post will: Provide at least two complementary therapies to patients and carers attending the Inpatient Unit, Wellbeing Centre and Out Patient Service within the Hospice. To support the Hospice staff Wellbeing initiatives by providing staff complementary therapy sessions with the support of the Volunteer Complementary Therapists (VCT). Recruit and support Volunteer Complementary Therapists (VCT) to provide sessions appropriate to the clients needs. Liaise and work closely with Volunteer Service Co-ordinator in the recruitment of VCT. Assist the patients to make an informed choice with the knowledge that complementary therapies work alongside conventional treatments to improve the individuals quality of life. In conjunction with PFSS manager to seek opportunities to develop and deliver complementary therapies to support and enhance the wellbeing of hospice service users. Role and Responsibilities Assess patients and carers referred for complementary therapies to ensure that suitable therapies are offered to them. To manage the distribution of referrals to appropriate VCTs and end referrals as required to balance resource and access, and discourage dependency. To provide VCT support on a regular basis and provide information and professional guidance. To ensure that VCT are suitably qualified and well trained to work within a palliative care setting on a regular basis. Maintaining an awareness of infection control risks and measures for all service users. To maintain and use material and equipment required in a way to ensure the safe and effective delivery of complementary therapies. To work closely with members of the PFSS team to identify patients and carers who would benefit from their intervention and make referrals as required. To liaise with wider MDT in relation to therapies being offered, potential impact and follow up care required for patients. To liaise with Wellbeing Centre, out patients and Inpatient unit to ensure clarity over referrals and appointments. To share information gathered from patients and cares appropriately with relevant professionals. To maintain the complementary therapy room in line with the requirements of infection control, health and safety guidelines. Balancing this with the need for a relaxing and suitable environment for delivery of complementary therapy. To assess all patient/carer referrals and then allocate as appropriate to CTL or VCT for assessment and treatment. To provide simple nail cutting and care to patients if trained and in line with hospice nail cutting procedure. Support the outreach of complementary therapy supporting hospice patients in the community. Information Governance To be aware of the confidential aspects of the post. To keep up to date with the requirements of information governance, undertake mandatory training and follow Hospice policies and procedures to ensure that hospice information is dealt with legally, securely, efficiently and effectively. Breaches of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action, which may involve dismissal. You must maintain the confidentiality of information about service users, staff and organisational business in accordance with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) Wirral Hospice St Johns is required to process personal data relating to its employees, including special categories of personal data, as defined in the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 Management / Administration To manage referrals to the service through the patient record system (systmone), liaising with refers as needed. To record the assessment, interventions / treatments and outcomes for patients and cares on the patient record system. To manage appointments for the VCT with support of PFSS clinical administrator and volunteer administrator. To manage the documentation and processes for the VCT to allow safe practice. To produce a weekly shift patterns to VCT. To review efficiency of the service and support service development opportunities with the PFSS Clinical Manager. To manage stock levels and ordering of supplies for provision of complementary therapies and nail care. To be responsible for the complementary therapy leaflets and documentation to support the complementary therapy service. To update accessible information (leaflets and website) by engaging with hospice staff who are responsible for hospice communication to the public. Research and Audit Participate in clinical audit / audit of service where indicated with support of the PFSS Clinical Manager and support the development of any action plans resulting. To support the sharing of results of audits within the PFSS, wider MDT and hospice management team. Be involved / participate in research as required / indicated within Clinical Services. Education To provide education to internal staff (IPU/OPD/WBC), and students on placement regarding the use of complementary therapies within palliative care and the delivery of the service within the hospice. To support the induction programme of new hospice staff and To create and lead the induction programme for the VCT working with the volunteer services coordinator. To support the training needs of internal hospice staff as identified by PFSS and Clinical Services Managers. To support hospice education of external professionals and public in agreement with the PFSS Manager. To promote and raise profile of Complementary Therapy to our peers and the wider community on the Wirral. To teach simple hand massage to staff, volunteers and carers to support patients alongside and supporting the complementary therapy service. To comply with all national policies relevant to professional practice. Personal / Professional Development Supervision. To utilise supervision structures effectively to manage personal wellbeing and support effective working practices. To engage in regular managerial supervision with PFSS Clinical Manager Registration. To maintain professional registration with regulatory body such as Federation of Holistic Therapies, International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA). Or Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council. To abide by the Code of Conduct for registered regulatory body. To have your own indemnity and liability insurance to allow you to practice. Maintaining updated practice. Complete Hospice Mandatory Training within required time frames through required medium. Identifying and attending training as identified in annual appraisal process. To maintain links with other palliative care complementary therapists, sharing best practice. To keep abreast of developments within the complementary therapy profession/s and in palliative care and understand the implications for clinical practice. Taking part in reflective practice and in-house training opportunities Confidentiality In the course of your duties you will have access to confidential material about patients, members of staff or other hospice business. On no account must information relating to identifiable patients be divulged to anyone other than those authorised persons, for example, medical, nursing or other professional staff, as appropriate, who are concerned directly with the care, diagnosis and or/treatment of the patient. If you are in any doubt whatsoever as to the authority of a person or body asking for information of this nature, you must seek advice from your manager. Similarly no information of a personal or confidential nature concerning individual members of staff should be divulged to anyone without the proper authority having first been given. General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) Wirral Hospice St Johns is required to process personal data relating to its employees, including special categories of personal data, as defined in the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 (the Act) All such data will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the relevant hospices policies. For the purposes of the Act, the term processing includes the initial collection of personal data, the holding and use of such data, as well as access and disclosure, through to final destruction. Other This job description is intended to provide an outline of the duties and responsibilities of this post, it is not exhaustive and may be modified and developed periodically following discussions between the post holder and the relevant line manager. Job description Job responsibilities Job Summary: This post forms part of the Patient and Family Support Services Team (PFSS) which provides emotional, psychological, spiritual and rehabilitative support to hospice patients and their close support networks. This post will: Provide at least two complementary therapies to patients and carers attending the Inpatient Unit, Wellbeing Centre and Out Patient Service within the Hospice. To support the Hospice staff Wellbeing initiatives by providing staff complementary therapy sessions with the support of the Volunteer Complementary Therapists (VCT). Recruit and support Volunteer Complementary Therapists (VCT) to provide sessions appropriate to the clients needs. Liaise and work closely with Volunteer Service Co-ordinator in the recruitment of VCT. Assist the patients to make an informed choice with the knowledge that complementary therapies work alongside conventional treatments to improve the individuals quality of life. In conjunction with PFSS manager to seek opportunities to develop and deliver complementary therapies to support and enhance the wellbeing of hospice service users. Role and Responsibilities Assess patients and carers referred for complementary therapies to ensure that suitable therapies are offered to them. To manage the distribution of referrals to appropriate VCTs and end referrals as required to balance resource and access, and discourage dependency. To provide VCT support on a regular basis and provide information and professional guidance. To ensure that VCT are suitably qualified and well trained to work within a palliative care setting on a regular basis. Maintaining an awareness of infection control risks and measures for all service users. To maintain and use material and equipment required in a way to ensure the safe and effective delivery of complementary therapies. To work closely with members of the PFSS team to identify patients and carers who would benefit from their intervention and make referrals as required. To liaise with wider MDT in relation to therapies being offered, potential impact and follow up care required for patients. To liaise with Wellbeing Centre, out patients and Inpatient unit to ensure clarity over referrals and appointments. To share information gathered from patients and cares appropriately with relevant professionals. To maintain the complementary therapy room in line with the requirements of infection control, health and safety guidelines. Balancing this with the need for a relaxing and suitable environment for delivery of complementary therapy. To assess all patient/carer referrals and then allocate as appropriate to CTL or VCT for assessment and treatment. To provide simple nail cutting and care to patients if trained and in line with hospice nail cutting procedure. Support the outreach of complementary therapy supporting hospice patients in the community. Information Governance To be aware of the confidential aspects of the post. To keep up to date with the requirements of information governance, undertake mandatory training and follow Hospice policies and procedures to ensure that hospice information is dealt with legally, securely, efficiently and effectively. Breaches of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action, which may involve dismissal. You must maintain the confidentiality of information about service users, staff and organisational business in accordance with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) Wirral Hospice St Johns is required to process personal data relating to its employees, including special categories of personal data, as defined in the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 Management / Administration To manage referrals to the service through the patient record system (systmone), liaising with refers as needed. To record the assessment, interventions / treatments and outcomes for patients and cares on the patient record system. To manage appointments for the VCT with support of PFSS clinical administrator and volunteer administrator. To manage the documentation and processes for the VCT to allow safe practice. To produce a weekly shift patterns to VCT. To review efficiency of the service and support service development opportunities with the PFSS Clinical Manager. To manage stock levels and ordering of supplies for provision of complementary therapies and nail care. To be responsible for the complementary therapy leaflets and documentation to support the complementary therapy service. To update accessible information (leaflets and website) by engaging with hospice staff who are responsible for hospice communication to the public. Research and Audit Participate in clinical audit / audit of service where indicated with support of the PFSS Clinical Manager and support the development of any action plans resulting. To support the sharing of results of audits within the PFSS, wider MDT and hospice management team. Be involved / participate in research as required / indicated within Clinical Services. Education To provide education to internal staff (IPU/OPD/WBC), and students on placement regarding the use of complementary therapies within palliative care and the delivery of the service within the hospice. To support the induction programme of new hospice staff and To create and lead the induction programme for the VCT working with the volunteer services coordinator. To support the training needs of internal hospice staff as identified by PFSS and Clinical Services Managers. To support hospice education of external professionals and public in agreement with the PFSS Manager. To promote and raise profile of Complementary Therapy to our peers and the wider community on the Wirral. To teach simple hand massage to staff, volunteers and carers to support patients alongside and supporting the complementary therapy service. To comply with all national policies relevant to professional practice. Personal / Professional Development Supervision. To utilise supervision structures effectively to manage personal wellbeing and support effective working practices. To engage in regular managerial supervision with PFSS Clinical Manager Registration. To maintain professional registration with regulatory body such as Federation of Holistic Therapies, International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA). Or Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council. To abide by the Code of Conduct for registered regulatory body. To have your own indemnity and liability insurance to allow you to practice. Maintaining updated practice. Complete Hospice Mandatory Training within required time frames through required medium. Identifying and attending training as identified in annual appraisal process. To maintain links with other palliative care complementary therapists, sharing best practice. To keep abreast of developments within the complementary therapy profession/s and in palliative care and understand the implications for clinical practice. Taking part in reflective practice and in-house training opportunities Confidentiality In the course of your duties you will have access to confidential material about patients, members of staff or other hospice business. On no account must information relating to identifiable patients be divulged to anyone other than those authorised persons, for example, medical, nursing or other professional staff, as appropriate, who are concerned directly with the care, diagnosis and or/treatment of the patient. If you are in any doubt whatsoever as to the authority of a person or body asking for information of this nature, you must seek advice from your manager. Similarly no information of a personal or confidential nature concerning individual members of staff should be divulged to anyone without the proper authority having first been given. General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) Wirral Hospice St Johns is required to process personal data relating to its employees, including special categories of personal data, as defined in the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 (the Act) All such data will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the relevant hospices policies. For the purposes of the Act, the term processing includes the initial collection of personal data, the holding and use of such data, as well as access and disclosure, through to final destruction. Other This job description is intended to provide an outline of the duties and responsibilities of this post, it is not exhaustive and may be modified and developed periodically following discussions between the post holder and the relevant line manager. Person Specification Experience Essential Experience of providing complementary therapies in qualified disciplines. Established as an experienced practitioner Experience of assessing and devising treatment programs for clients Experience of managing appointments Experience and ability to recruit, support and guide other complementary therapists. Desirable Experience of delivering complementary therapies to people with complex health needs Experience of working within a health care setting Experience of working with a multi professional team Experience of working and recruiting volunteer complementary therapists. Experience of applying service boundaries and limitations SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES Essential Ability to manage IT systems or relevant technology to role Ability to show empathy and compassion with patients and carers Good communication skills both verbal and written Ability to work with individuals and groups Able to work autonomously to plan and prioritise work for self and VCT. Ability to select appropriate assessment tools Ability to form good working relationships with other professional disciplines Motivated drive and enthusiasm Ability to share information across teams to enable best care Able to demonstrate an awareness of own limitations and ability to ask for help or guidance when needed. Is flexible and adaptable Able to demonstrate professionalism at all times. Desirable Teaching and presentation skills Supervision skills Ability to work with distressed clients OTHER REQUIREMENTS Essential Ability to competently undertake all physical aspects of the role KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING Essential Knowledge of complementary therapy treatments appropriate for palliative care patients Knowledge of complementary therapy treatments appropriate for carers. Understanding of the importance of confidentiality Desirable Understanding of the impact of End of Life Care issues for patients and families Understanding of obligations regarding safeguarding adults and children Awareness of relevant professional legislation and guidance Qualifications Essential Qualification, Diploma or Degree level in a complementary therapy such as aromatherapy, Massage, Reflexology or Reiki. Desirable Qualifications in communication skills Qualifications in oncology massage or oncology reflexology. Qualification in manicure and pedicure. Full driving license Registration with; professional body such as Complementary and Natural Health Care Council Or International Federation of Professional Aromatherapist Person Specification Experience Essential Experience of providing complementary therapies in qualified disciplines. Established as an experienced practitioner Experience of assessing and devising treatment programs for clients Experience of managing appointments Experience and ability to recruit, support and guide other complementary therapists. Desirable Experience of delivering complementary therapies to people with complex health needs Experience of working within a health care setting Experience of working with a multi professional team Experience of working and recruiting volunteer complementary therapists. Experience of applying service boundaries and limitations SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES Essential Ability to manage IT systems or relevant technology to role Ability to show empathy and compassion with patients and carers Good communication skills both verbal and written Ability to work with individuals and groups Able to work autonomously to plan and prioritise work for self and VCT. Ability to select appropriate assessment tools Ability to form good working relationships with other professional disciplines Motivated drive and enthusiasm Ability to share information across teams to enable best care Able to demonstrate an awareness of own limitations and ability to ask for help or guidance when needed. Is flexible and adaptable Able to demonstrate professionalism at all times. Desirable Teaching and presentation skills Supervision skills Ability to work with distressed clients OTHER REQUIREMENTS Essential Ability to competently undertake all physical aspects of the role KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING Essential Knowledge of complementary therapy treatments appropriate for palliative care patients Knowledge of complementary therapy treatments appropriate for carers. Understanding of the importance of confidentiality Desirable Understanding of the impact of End of Life Care issues for patients and families Understanding of obligations regarding safeguarding adults and children Awareness of relevant professional legislation and guidance Qualifications Essential Qualification, Diploma or Degree level in a complementary therapy such as aromatherapy, Massage, Reflexology or Reiki. Desirable Qualifications in communication skills Qualifications in oncology massage or oncology reflexology. Qualification in manicure and pedicure. Full driving license Registration with; professional body such as Complementary and Natural Health Care Council Or International Federation of Professional Aromatherapist Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Wirral Hospice St John’s Address Wirral Hospice St. Johns Mount Road Higher Bebington Wirral Merseyside CH63 6JE Employer's website http://www.wirralhospice.org/ (Opens in a new tab)