Job Description

Within Therapy Services, the Lymphoedema Service delivers specialist lymphoedema advice and care to patients with cancer at all stages of their cancer journey. Members of the Lymphoedema Service support each other across both sites of the hospital to provide a co-ordinated, high quality service utilising the strengths of a multi-professional team. The service also provides support and advice for health care professionals through formalised educational programmes.



We are looking for a highly professional and enthusiastic nurse or allied health professional to join our team. With significant experience of caring for patients with cancer-related lymphoedema, you must also have excellent communication and organisational skills, the ability to prioritise and be able to work autonomously. A commitment to education and service development is essential.



The post-holder will provide the clinical leadership for the Lymphoedema Service and will work closely with the operational lead to ensure the ongoing delivery of high quality care. We actively support and encourage staff to develop personally and professionally through formal and informal training and offer a wide range of benefits including educational opportunities at The Royal Marsden School.



Informal enquiries are welcome and for more information please contact:



Lucy Dean. Service Lead Lymphoedema and Rehabilitation.

lucy.dean@rmh.nhs.uk Tel:

020 8661 2821"



The lymphoedema service is part of a multidisciplinary therapies team that provides rehabilitation to people who have developed lymphoedema as a result of cancer and its treatment as well providing risk-reduction advice and management to those in high risk groups (including those with breast cancer, gynaecological cancer and sarcoma). The Advanced Practitioner post holder is considered the clinical expert and will be responsible for the lymphoedema clinical leadership working closely with the Operational Lead to ensure the strategic aims and objectives for the division are delivered and that governance and performance processes are embedded. The clinical lead will help set and monitor clinical standards, support internal training needs and service development to drive innovation. The clinical lead will ensure delivery of a highly effective, evidence-based service in order to meet departmental and commissioning targets.



The post holder will provide effective clinical leadership, supervision and guidance to a multidisciplinary team working with lymphoedema patients or those at risk. This may include advice relating to professional matters, clinical issues and management issues relating to the Trust's policies and procedures. The postholder will undertake all aspects of the role as an autonomous practitioner providing clinical judgement, knowledge, skills and experience.



The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.



At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.



At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.



For further information please refer to the job description and personal specification



Leading the lymphoedema therapists in the provision of a high quality lymphoedema service throughout the hospital. To lead on patient engagement and empowerment initiatives and projects. This will include tracking people's journeys and capturing key themes concerning experience and learning.



To take the lead on the development of clinical standards, service pathways to meet current needs and enhance service delivery. To evaluate the current service model with the Operational Lead and implement relevant strategies to provide skilled care for patients with lymphoedema of a complex nature. To use reflective practice and clinical reasoning to evaluate the programme of care and review where necessary.



Use specialist skills in the use of equipment provided for the assessment and evaluation of a patient's lymphoedema. Ensure all lymphoedema practitioners are competent in the use of equipment necessary for this service provision.



The post holder will provide the clinical expertise working closely with the Operational Lead and lymphoedema practitioners on the development and implementation of a lymphoedema service strategy that is aligned to commissioner's recommendation supporting the Therapy Department Strategy.



To demonstrate a positive and realistic attitude to the patient with cancer related lymphoedema to ensure that the physiological, psychosocial, spiritual and cultural needs of the patient and family are met.



To provide guidance and support to the lymphoedema team on the development of patients' and carers resources supporting patients' empowerment and better quality of care.



To be a source of knowledge and expertise for patients, relatives, carers and colleagues of all disciplines both within the Trust, locally and nationally. The post holder will develop a training programme to ensure the lymphoedema clinical team's continuous professional development and competency to practice. The postholder will work closely with the Operational Lead to provide specialist input to a planned programme of co-ordinated care including appropriate and timely discharge.