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Job description

If you would like a supportive and professional department in which to develop a career in nutrition and dietetics, we have the post for you. We are looking for an enthusiastic dietetic assistant to join our team of dietitians, Dietetic Assistant Practitioner, Senior Dietetic Assistant, Nutrition Nurse, and administrative staff.

The post is within the adult Inpatient team which provides dietetic assessment and advice to the elderly, medical, surgical, orthopaedic and critical care wards. Your main duties will include;

• Assisting the dietitian in ensuring that the dietary needs of inpatients are met including reviewing patients on adult wards
• Contributing to service development

We will provide you with opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge in nutrition and dietetics within a supportive, learning environment. There is IT access and a strong commitment to continuing professional development, clinical effectiveness and audit.

The senior dietetic assistant supports the inpatient dietetic team to assess, plan and implement a range of interventions to improve the functional ability and well-being of individuals and/or groups. The post holder will be responsible for activities delegated to them and will work without direct supervision but will have immediate access to a clinician for advice and direction as required. Senior Assistants are expected to continually improve their knowledge and skills and work collaboratively with dietetic colleagues to enhance patient care.

The post holder will have completed a level III QCF qualification and will have experience of working with people with a range of health or social care needs (experience having been gained in either a health, care or social care setting). The post holder will:

• Independently undertake basic assessments and interventions relevant to delegated caseload
• Contribute to the evaluation of programmes and patient’s progression making minor alterations in consultation with the dietitian
• Manage own workload.
• Support dietitian with complex cases as required
• Assist with the management of out patient referrals and appointments
• Work with team members to ensure the effective functioning of the team
• Participate in activities to improve the dietetic service
• Provide support to other team members and students
• Work flexibly according to patient and service needs

We are always looking for enterprising and innovative approaches to the way we provide our services. We are a national centre for telemedicine and introduced telehealth to the UK offender healthcare sector and also provide the service to patients in their care homes. Community matters to us and we are supported by 400 dedicated volunteers and have strong links with Bradford University, Craven College and Leeds City College to ensure we inspire the workforce of the future.

We want to attract staff who embrace our Right Care behaviours of compassion, a commitment to quality of care and working together for patients we want to make these part of our DNA.

1. Clinical

1.1. Provide timely and efficient dietetic service to delegated patients according to clinical protocols and service priorities.

1.2. Communicate effectively with patients and carers on the wards to obtain diet histories and explain nutritional treatment plans devised by the dietitian.

1.3. Undertake routine assessments of delegated patient including nutrition risk scores, anthropometrics, food intake, fluid balance, swallowing ability and clinical condition as requested.

1.4. Liaise with supervising dietitian to discuss options for care plans

1.5. Develop individual dietetic care plans for delegated patients in conjunction with the supervising dietitian.

1.6. Implement care plans in partnership with the service user, with the carer as necessary and in consultation with supervising dietitian

1.7. Review patients as requested by the dietitian in order to establish if the dietetic care plan is being followed and that they have received the recommended type and quantity of supplements and/or snacks.

1.8. Assist patients in making suitable menu choices for their needs taking into account their food preferences. e.g. low residue, milk free, wheat free, gluten free and assist patients at risk of malnutrition to maximise their food intake by encouraging choice of energy dense meals and offering additional snacks.

1.9. Liaise with and make appropriate referrals to other agencies

1.10. Work with other services such as diet chef, ward hostesses in order to implement recommendations of treatment

1.11. Clearly document each intervention in the patient’s SystmOne record as outlined in organisational policies and procedures

1.12. Create discharge/summary written reports as required.

1.13. Contribute to the review and development of patient pathways.

1.14. Respond to unforeseen situations that take precedence over planned work.

1.15. Provide advice, teaching and instruction for relatives, carers, and other health professionals to promote understanding of the aims of dietetic service and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.

1.16. Use communication skills to establish good working relationships with colleagues, service users and carers.

1.17. Use verbal and non-verbal communication skills and sensitivity with patients, relatives and carers to overcome barriers to communication e.g. loss of hearing, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain, anxiety, problems with cognition.

Specific tasks

Assess patients who are referred for special diets for risk of malnutrition and to pass any high risk patients to the dietitian for intervention.

Liaise with ward staff directly regarding requests for special diets and provide the diet for the patient’s next meal.

Organise snack tickets for patients and to produce a summary of the special diets required for the diet cook.

Attend the Catering Group Meetings and to report any issues regarding the provision of special diets to the Sodexo Manager and nutrition support team leader

Attend the Feeding Buddy Meetings and the Ward Hostess Meetings and to bring any relevant issues back to the department for discussion.

Participate in the mealtime observation audits on the wards.

Support the admin team with the management of referrals, outpatient appointments system and general admin duties.

2. Leadership and Management

2.1 Assist with the day to day running of the inpatient dietetic team including general administrative duties to support this.

2.2 Follow supervision guidelines and consult with clinicians to ensure optimum outcome for patients with clear presentation of facts and analysis to enable effective decision making.

2.3 Support the development of junior assistants and students.

2.4 Conduct supervision of junior assistants

2.5 Assist with the induction of new staff

2.6 Communicate effectively within the immediate team, the multi disciplinary team and with other internal and external organisations

2.7 Implement organisational policies, procedures, standards and guidance.

2.8 Adhere to health and safety policies and procedures

2.9 Raise incidents and near misses using the incident reporting systems.

2.10 Be aware of the need for judicious use of resources

2.11 Be prepared to work flexibly in terms of time and workload to meet service needs.

3. Personal and Professional Development

3.1 Adhere to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and British Dietetic Association (BDA) Standards of Proficiency and Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

3.2 Understand the scope of the role and know the limits of practice and when to seek advice.

3.3 Maintain own continuing professional development (CPD) including core competencies through the use of reflection and incorporating learning into working practice.

3.4 Attend staff meetings and in-service training sessions

3.5 Complete the dietetic assistant training modules and competencies

3.6 Share existing knowledge and skills and feed back from training

3.7 Demonstrate professional behaviours in all aspect of practice.

3.8 Ensure compliance with supervision and appraisals standards and maintain a professional portfolio.

4 Service Improvement and Governance

4.1 Contribute to the evaluation of individual and group interventions through the use of outcome measures and audits.

4.2 Keep abreast of new clinical developments relevant to dietetics

4.3 Support team by participating in quality improvement projects.

4.4 Contribute to the review of guidelines and procedures relevant to own role

4.5 Respond to requests for information and actions in a timely manner.

4.6 Ensure maintenance of accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date documentation in line with professional, legal and service requirements.

4.7 Communicate clinical and personal information confidentially and in an appropriate format

4.8 Follow Trust and departmental policies and guidelines