Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To support and assist in the management of the community Lymphoedema Service for Guildford and Waverley. 
To use expert knowledge to diagnosis lymphoedema and chronic oedema, identify underlying cause, implement treatment, follow-up and review treatments, promote self-management regime for patients.
To work as an autonomous practitioner and effectively co-ordinate and deliver a highly specialised service within the field of Lymphoedema. 
To support in raising awareness of lymphoedema for all clinical staff. 
To support in delivery of training for chronic oedema prevention and management for all clinical staff across the community division. 
To facilitate audits and research within the field of lymphoedema

Clinical Responsibilities

To use knowledge and expertise in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for patients with lymphoedema

Contribute to the development of nurse/allied health professional led services in order to meet service demand within the specialty of lymphoedema 
Collaborates and networks with all members of the multi-professional and multi disciplinary team on the provision of patient care.
Participates in all discussions that are required for high quality, timely and accurate patient assessment and care planning for adults with lymphoedema.
To assess the needs of the patient and work in partnership with individuals to agree the most appropriate plan of care for them
Ensure the symptom control of palliative lymphoedema in patients with advanced disease is managed and fully understood by families and health care professionals involved in care, providing specialist information, education, practical and emotional support as required.
To communicate information about diagnosis of lymphoedema and outcomes of treatment. 
With the support of the Team Lead to act as an autonomous practitioner managing own caseload, delivering care in line with National Guidance, receiving and making direct referrals.                                                                             To provide skilled assessment of patients referred to the lymphoedema service determining the clinical diagnosis and treatment pathway.
To implement appropriate care to obtain the best results in the improvement of the condition, adjusting the clinical management to suit the patient’s needs/tolerance and managing complex and emotive clinical scenarios.
To educate patients in the long-term management of their lymphoedema, monitoring as required and empowering the patient to maintain compliance with treatment programmes and care of their swollen limb/area, in order that they can achieve their optimum quality of life.
To provide skilled practice in a range of assessment and treatments to manage lymphoedema, including skin care, exercise, measurement for and prescription of compression hosiery, self lymphatic drainage and manual lymphatic drainage.
To provide psychological and emotional support for patients and their carers/ families. 

Professional Responsibilities

To adhere to the Professional Conduct and be wholly accountable for his/her practice.
To actively seek to raise the profile of Nurse-led /AHP led services within Royal Surrey Foundations Trust community services, by publication, research and teaching.
To behave in a professional manner and act as a role model for other staff at all times
Contribute to effective ethical decision making relevant to lymphoedema practice. 
Establish and maintain contact with professional bodies at local, national and international level.