Job description
- Are you a dietitian with an interest in the community?
- Are you looking to develop your skills?
- MCH encourages all staff to be double COVID vaccinated to protect themselves, their colleagues, their family and their patients
We are looking for someone to provide high quality dietetic care to patients across Medway and Swale. You will see patients in their own homes, in care homes, in outpatient clinics and in community rehabilitation units. You will also support dietetic students and dietetic assistants. Whilst providing appropriate dietetic training to patient groups and other health professionals.
The post holder will provide a professional and constantly developing nutrition and dietetic service to community patients and their carers in Medway and Swale. The post will involve seeing patients in a variety of settings including community clinics, nursing/care homes, community rehabilitation wards and patients’ own homes. He/she will give guidance to health care professionals on nutrition matters and produce educational material and dietetic resources. The post holder will also provide Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) training to nursing homes and other allied health professionals. In addition, the post holder will play an active role in development and audit projects included in Departmental objectives.
So what else?
- This is your chance to join a progressive and innovative service in a social enterprise that is patient and staff focused - you’ll even have the opportunity to become an MCH shareholder.
- We encourage staff to get involved in exploring new ways of working and service development.
- We’ll provide well established, in-service training, one to one supervision, and appraisals with regular support.
- You’ll be able to develop your skills in a friendly and supportive team.
The small print
- Informal visits can be arranged on request.
- We will always appoint the best person for the job, but applications are particularly welcome from candidates from BAME groups which are underrepresented in our service.
- We will offer you the choice of two pension schemes; the NHS Pension scheme and the scottish widows group pension scheme.
- Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement which will not mean sacrificing time for personal interests or family commitments. We aim to support you to work flexibly in a way that will suit you and us
- To assess, advise and liaise with patients and their carers in providing up to date dietary information.
- To work as part of a team of Dietitians in reviewing and updating dietary information for patients and carers.
- Will be required to offer constructive feedback in a non judgement manner to support individual’s development.
- To establish rapport with a wide range of patients and carers, working in a non discriminatory fashion.
- To use motivational interviewing technique to overcome barriers to change.
- To deliver difficult or upsetting information in a compassionate manner.
- To translate complex scientific information into easily understood format
- To recognise and respond to non verbal cues.
- To communicate effectively with people who may experience communication difficulties relating to language or disability.
- To review, prepare and present education and training programmes e.g. MUST training, for other organisation, health care professionals and patients as required.
- BSc (Hons) Nutrition & Dietetic or Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics
- To work as part of a team of Dietitians in reviewing and updating dietary information for patients and carers.
- To review, prepare and present education and training programmes for other organisation, health care professionals and patients as required.
- To translate complex scientific information into easily understood format
- Knowledge of a wide range of customary diets for all patients regardless of ethnicity.
- Knowledge to tailor dietary advice for a wide range of medical/disease conditions appropriate to individual circumstances.
- Knowledge of patient malnutrition screening using MUST
- To undertake a yearly audit as deemed appropriate by line manager
- To translate complex scientific information into easily understood format
- To interpret biochemical data and use to formulate dietary requirements and advice.
- To prioritise caseload based on clinical presentation and need.
- To demonstrate good time management skills
- To undertake a yearly audit
- To submit data in a timely fashion and achieve deadlines as set by team lead.
- To develop CPD plan and personal objectives with team lead.
- To review, prepare and present education and training programmes for other organisation, health care professionals and patients as required.
- To prioritise caseload based on clinical presentation and need.
- To demonstrate good time management skills
- To review, prepare and present education and training programmes for other organisation, health care professionals and patients as required.
- To use a wide range of computer software at a high level and have good keyboard skills.
- To demonstrate ability to use additional equipment as required for role, e.g. skin fold callipers.
- To work in a range of clinical environments which may be subject to frequent interruptions.
- To follow procedures for moving and handling.
- Drive a vehicle
- To work as an autonomous practitioner, responsible for own caseload, under the supervision of Team Lead.
- To provide a nutrition and dietetic service to patients in the community in Medway and Swale, in outpatient clinics, nursing homes and in their own homes as appropriate.
- To promote better health and quality of life through appropriate nutrition and diet therapy.
- To assess, advise and liaise with patients and their carers in providing up to date dietary information.
- To complete documentation relating to patient care in line with department and organisation policy.
- To provide MUST training to nursing home staff, or other health care professionals, as required
- To work within Department and Professional Standards
- To undertake a yearly audit
- To contribute to the development of department policies.
- Required to actively contribute to the development and achievement of department objectives.
- To make the most efficient use of departmental resources and be mindful of budgetary limitations.
- To plan a personal CPD programme and personal objectives in liaison with the team lead.
- Required to supervise student Dietitians and work experience placements
- Required to actively contribute to department clinical supervision programme.
- To work as part of a team of dietitians in reviewing and updating dietary information for patients and carers.
- To review, prepare and present education and training programmes for other organisation, health care professionals and patients as required.
- To work within the organisations guidance around information governance and be individually responsible for safeguarding information.
- To contribute to department and organisations audit programme
- To develop, plan, undertake and evaluate one audit per year.
- To work within department, professional and organisation policies and procedures.
- Responsible for autonomous management of own clinical caseload as defined by Team Lead.
- To be responsible for own safety by following Department and Organisation lone working policies and procedures.