Dietetic Assistant Oxford, England
Job description
CLINICAL 1) After training, to review and monitor a small case load of named patients under the supervision of a dietitian, e.g. patients on established tube feeds, limited nutritional intake and those following therapeutic diets. This may involve: a) Gathering relevant clinical information from electronic patient records, nursing staff or housekeepers, patients and carers b) Liaise with nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team, for example, Speech and Language Therapists (SALT), Occupational Therapists about the patients nutritional plan c) Calculate patients intake from food record charts, which may involve using a dietary analysis computer package d) Monitor patient in order to achieve optimum nutritional intake e) Assess patients tolerance to tube feeding f) Regularly liaise with the supervising dietitian about all aspects of patients nutritional care g) Record all interventions and actions on electronic patient records (EPR) ensuring that all entries meet the professional standards of the British Dietetic Association 2) Oversee the completion of daily menus for all patients on therapeutic diets. This involves face-to-face discussion with patients and/or their relatives or carers, working closely with Catering staff.
3) To be involved with education and training of staff, such as housekeepers in aspects of nutrition or nutritional screening e.g. MUST training. PROFESSIONAL Participate in the induction of new ward and dietetic staff; demonstrating the role of the Dietetic Assistant as well as informing them about the provision of therapeutic meals, nutritional supplement products and raising nutritional awareness in their ward areas. If required, participate in training the Diet Chefs, Catering Assistants or ward staff, about the importance of nutrition and educate on the special and therapeutic diets using a variety of teaching methods.
It may be necessary to adapt the teaching methods used to facilitate those with limited English. To be involved in project work including review audits, working alongside dietitians, other health professionals and catering staff, for example, mealtime observation audits, patient mealtime satisfaction survey. To work alongside Dietetic colleagues, Catering and administrative staff, learning by experience and improving working practice on an on-going basis. If required, to deliver training to staff and/or patients under the supervision of a Dietitian.
Participate in annual appraisal, identifying own developmental and training needs and setting a personal developmental plan. CATERING Liaise with dietitians, patients, the catering department and ward staff to ensure the provision of therapeutic diets, appropriate snacks, supplements and enteral feeds runs smoothly. Work as an active and contributing member of the dietetic catering group, and provide regular feedback to the rest of the dietetic department. When required, code menus to reflect changes in food supplied, which will involve communicating with the catering suppliers, catering managers, dietitians and chefs across all four hospitals.
Work with the dietitian to alter menus as necessary, update the special diet manuals and nutrition policy. Disseminate this information throughout the Trust and on the Intranet site. ADMINISTRATION Be responsible for the ordering and supply of nutritional products to wards and outpatients. This involves: a) Conducting weekly stock takes and placing orders for tube feeds and nutritional supplements, with different nutritional suppliers, liaising with customer services and nutritional representatives as necessary.
b) Ensuring all invoices are processed and sent to finance for payment. c) Maintaining record charts for regular stock checking and billing hospital wards for nutritional supplements and enteral feeds. Be responsible for maintaining a supply of feeding pumps for use on the ward or at home. This involves: a) Liaising with nutritional suppliers representatives and customer services when requesting a delivery.
b) Sending new pumps and those for repair or servicing to Clinical Engineering. c) Regularly checking wards to ensure pumps are present and operating efficiently. Complete appropriate paperwork when patients on enteral feeds are discharged from hospital. To assist the Department Secretaries in completing general administrative / secretarial tasks.
This may include answering and dealing with telephone calls, entering Department patient activity data (stats) onto the department spreadsheet, general department wide administration, etc. ORGANISATIONAL To determine priorities for own work area based on clinical need and balance patient caseload with other professional demands, for example. To collect data as required by the department, trust and outside agencies. To maintain accurate and up to date documentation of patient interventions on electronic records.
To undertake and oversee the ordering, delivery and payment of nutritional products (e.g. tube feeds and sip feeds).
