Complementary Therapist – Katharine House Hospice.
Job Type: Permanent, Part time
Location: Katharine House Hospice, Stafford
Salary: £35,516 per annum, £14,206.40 actual.
Hours: 15 hours per week
Closing date: 8 May 2026, however this may close earlier, subject to response rate
Telephone interview date: 18 May 2026
Face to face interview date: 28 May 2026
We are seeking a compassionate and skilled Complementary therapist to join our Multidisciplinary hospice team. This is a deeply rewarding opportunity to support patients with life-limiting illnesses and their carers, helping to enhance comfort, wellbeing and quality of life through holistic, person-centred therapies and groups.
About us
Katharine House Hospice is a specialist palliative care service supporting adults with life-limiting illness. Our aim is to enable people with incurable illnesses to live life as fully as possible and make the most of the time that they have, as well as supporting their loved ones.
We focus on delivering high quality care and can give the time needed to provide the best
experience for our patients and their families. Our greatest asset is our staff resource, both paid or voluntary. We have a wide range of dedicated, professional, enthusiastic employees who work together to deliver a service of excellence.
We value people – so much so, it’s one of our three key values as a charity. We provide ongoing support with opportunities for professional development for our staff. We are also able to provide access to the NHS pension scheme if you are currently an existing member.
The Role
Please note, an enhanced DBS clearance will be required for this role.
You’ll work 15 hours per week within the hours of 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday, as we develop our outpatient and potential weekend offer. We’re open to discussing flexible working arrangements that meet the needs of both the service and the successful candidate.
Skills and Experience
You will have:
- A recognised qualification, of at least level 4, in complementary therapy.
- Membership of a relevant professional body
- Experience working with in a health care setting.
- Have at least 12 months’ post-registration experience (more is welcome).
- Be a team player who enjoys MDT working, but is also confident to work with a degree of autonomy.
- Be committed to compassionate, person-centred care and upholding hospice values. Previous hospice or palliative care experience is welcome but not essential – we
will support you to develop specialist skills and confidence in this area.
What’s in it for you?
33 days per annum, which includes bank holidays (pro rata for part time), increasing after 5 and 10 years’ service.
We match contributions up to 7%. If you’re currently contributing to the NHS pension scheme you can continue to do so.
Reassurance should the worst happen. 2 x salary to your family.
-
Employee Assistance Programme
Providing support for your wellbeing.
-
Training and development opportunities
Continuous learning and professional growth.
-
Occupational sick pay
Support during times of illness.
-
Healthcare cash benefit plan
Contributory plan to help cover health-related expenses.
- Free on-site parking
- Free uniform and PPE
For an informal conversation or to arrange a visit to the Therapy & Wellbeing Centre, please contact: Cathy Browning ANP/Outpatient Lead on 01785 254645 or email cbrowning@khhospice.org.uk
How to apply:
Submit a CV via indeed.
Please note we are unable to provide sponsorship at this time.
The closing date is 8 May 2026, however we may close this advert earlier, subject to response
rates.
If you require any reasonable adjustment to participate in this process, please do not hesitate to contact HR on the number above.
Please note that applications will be shortlisted on an ongoing basis and this vacancy may be
closed early if the positions are filled.
Internal applicants should apply via an expression of interest outlining the reasons for
your interest and detailing any relevant experience.
Job Description
Complementary Therapist
“We help local adults with complex, progressive illnesses from diagnosis to the end of life through
free, high quality, specialist palliative care, advice and guidance, and we
support those close to them.”
Department and Role Objectives
To provide an efficient, effective, and equitable outpatient service to patients who are living with an advanced, life limiting illness and their main carers in a sensitive and timely manner. The
department also offers support to Hospice staff and Volunteers.
The Complementary Therapist will work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team in providing the highest standards of care to patients and their main carers. The Complementary Therapist will
deliver Complementary Therapies in the hospice and community setting, to people with advanced life limiting conditions, and their primary carer. They will also support Complementary Therapy volunteers in the hospice.
To support the delivery of planned therapeutic programmes of complementary therapy for patients and carers in a safe environment
Core Responsibilities
To meet the above broad objectives, the post holder will have responsibilities in four main areas of work as follows:
- Clinical
- Educational
- Clerical
- Personnel
Key Area – Responsibilities & Outputs
Clinical
- To offer Complementary Therapies to patients and carers appropriately referred to them.
- To manage an individual caseload of patients/carers as assigned following triage process.
- To assess, plan, implement and evaluate appropriate individual programmes of therapy within professional qualifications and competence, liaising with other practitioners as appropriate
- To provide a therapeutic environment where patients and carers can talk freely and in confidence.
- To ensure Complementary Therapy is Health and Safety compliant.
- To adhere to all hospice policies and procedures including Confidentiality, Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults, Safeguarding Children, and Lone worker policy.
- To ensure as a Complementary Therapist you adopt good infection control principles.
- To use time and resources effectively.
- To support interviewing, inducting and supervising volunteer therapists.
- To support and review Complementary Therapy volunteer practice.
- To attend regular, agreed meetings with other Complementary Therapists and Outpatient Lead.
- To ensure equipment and clinical environments are clean and serviceable.
- To oversee the creation of fragrancers and other other blends needed in-house, where
this is within skill set
Educational
- To keep abreast of relevant developments in Complementary Therapy and palliative care
and to understand their implications for practice and for CPD purposes.
- To maintain training and competence compliance of the Complementary Therapy team.
- To deliver general health and wellbeing educational sessions to patients and carers as part of a wider wellbeing programme.
- To be involved in the promotion of the Hospice and its Complementary Therapy service.
- To be an ambassador for the Hospice.
Clerical
- To maintain accurate written and computer records in accordance with Katharine House Hospice policies and procedures.
- To collate and provide audit and outcome measures data as requested to support the Outpatient Lead with Clinical Governance
- To provide evidence-based data to the Outpatient Lead for reports for the Trustees’ Clinical Committee.
- To maintain membership of a recognised Complementary Therapy professional body.
- To stocktake and process orders for Complementary Therapy supplies.
- To provide annually proof of professional membership and car insurance.
Personnel
- Achieve and maintain Complementary Therapy competencies.
- Take all measures to ensure the safety and welfare of all patients and staff, having due regard to the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- Attend annual statutory updates as required by the Care Quality Commission and Katharine House Hospice annual mandatory updates.
- Participate in Individual Performance Review.
- Participate in continuing education and other activities to promote own professional growth.
- Demonstrate an understanding and implementation of clinical governance.
- Recognise stress in self and seek support as required.
- Demonstrate the use of reflective practice.
Personal Development
Katharine House will support the continuous development of the post holder who is expected to
be proactive in ensuring their own clinical supervision and identifying their own developmental needs.
Competencies
Can meet/work towards achieving the competencies as identified in the KHH competency
document.
Job Revision
This job description is not exhaustive, and the employee may be asked to undertake other duties commensurate with the role. This job description is subject to periodic revision following discussions with the post holder.
Infection Prevention and Control
In accordance with the Health and Social Care Act 2012, the post holder will actively participate in the prevention and control of infection within the capacity of their role. The Act requires the post holder to attend infection prevention and control training on induction and at regular updates
and to take responsibility for the practical application of the training in the course of their work. Infection prevention and control must be included in any personal development plan or appraisal.
Health and Safety
All employees have a responsibility to abide by the safety practices and codes authorised by
KHH. They have an equal responsibility with management for maintaining safe working practices.
Smoking
The hospice has a no smoking policy. All hospice premises are considered No Smoking Zones. Staff are not allowed to smoke when wearing KHH Uniform.
Confidentiality
Patient and/or staff information is confidential. It is a condition of KHH employment that you
will not use or disclose any confidential information obtained in the course of your duty
Accuracy of Data
The accuracy of Service User information is paramount regardless of its format (hard copy or
electronic). All staff collecting and processing sensitive client information should be suitably trained to do so. All such data should be monitored for accuracy and reconciled between the user record and data held on systems that support the provision of care, any errors or omissions should be
identified and corrected. Such activity should be undertaken under the guidance of the Director of Care.
This post requires the individual to consent to an enhanced disclosure by the Disclosure and Barring Service
Person Specification – Complementary Therapist
Qualifications
- Qualified Complementary Therapist in more than one Complementary Therapy technique – Essential
- Degree or diploma in more than one Complementary Therapy practice – Essential
- Be registered as a qualified Complementary Therapist by a nationally recognised professional Complementary Therapy body – Essential
Experience
- Practical experience since qualifying of 12 months in each therapy qualified to practise – Essential
- Experience as part of a Complementary Therapy team – Desirable
- Experience of Home visits and Lone worker – Desirable
- Experience in healthcare – Desirable
- Experience of working within a hospice – Desirable
- Experience of working with volunteers – Desirable
- Some knowledge of palliative care – Desirable
-
Skills and Attributes
- Demonstrable skills in Complementary Therapy – Essential
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – Essential
- Ability to work alone – Essential
- IT Skills – Desirable
- Flexible attitude and approach – Essential
- Empathetic – Essential
- Good organisational skills – Essential
- Able to manage own caseload in an organised manner – Essential
- Flexible – Essential
- Confident – Essential
- Non-judgemental – Essential
- Self-aware – Essential
- Enthusiastic – Essential
Knowledge
- Some knowledge of palliative care – Essential
- Working knowledge of Patient held electronic records – Desirable
Other
- Enhanced DBS clearance required – Essential
- Full valid UK Driving Licence – Essential
- Regular use of car with appropriate levels of insurance – Essential
