Dietitian

This job has been Expired

Dietitian

  • Post Date:7th June 2021
  • Views 683
0 Applications
Job Description

Job Description 

Job Details

Job Title: Dietitian
Job Reference Number:
Band: 5
Ward / Department: Community Dietetics
Directorate / Locality: South Place
Essential Qualifications: BSc Nutrition & Dietetics or equivalent

 

Job Purpose

Provide a flexible and comprehensive dietetic service to Community Hospitals, community clinics and home visits in a designated area.

To support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate healthcare service, all staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work. 

Organisational Arrangements 

Accountable To: Dietetic Services Manager
Reports To: Community Team Leader

 Structure Chart

 

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

  1. To provide a dietetic service to a neuro- rehab unit, to medicine for the elderly wards, nutrition support clinic, general outpatient clinic and to see patients in their own homes or in Nursing/ Residential homes if needed.
  1. To provide dietetic advice to patients and/or carers whilst taking into account their social, emotional, psychological and cultural needs.
  1. To provide nutritional assessment and dietetic intervention, on an individual basis, incorporating biochemical and pharmacological review, anthropometry, clinical condition and other physical parameters.
  1. To ensure appropriate treatment, monitoring and review of patient’s dietary needs, involving other agencies when indicated.
  1. To communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team through attendance at ward rounds, case conferences, discharge planning meetings and team meetings as appropriate.
  1. To recommend to Doctors the prescription of nutritional supplements and enteral feeds, and arrange monitoring.
  1. To prescribe nutritional supplements for inpatients within the specific guidelines agreed by the Trust.
  1. To be trained in the use of enteral feeding pumps and equipment, to be confident to advise nursing staff, patients and carers.

Professional Responsibilities

  1. To undertake an annual appraisal and personal development review.
  1. To ensure own practice is up to date and evidence-based. Able to demonstrate an awareness of current relevant research through teaching and peer review.
  1. To produce evidence-based literature and resources for patients and healthcare professionals.
  1. To provide teaching and education sessions to medical, nursing and catering staff.
  1. To participate in the training of student Dietitians (after an initial settling in period – to be agreed).
  1. To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with legal and departmental requirements, and to communicate outcomes to the appropriate disciplines in the form of letters and reports.
  1. To work in accordance with the standards set by the British Dietetic Association and the Health Professionals Council.
  1. To be legally and professionally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients within own care.
  1. To participate in departmental and clinical audit.
  1. To advise and liaise with catering staff concerning the dietary needs of patients.
  1. To support other members of the team and provide cover in their absence.
  1. To assist in the induction of new staff and act as a mentor supporting and teaching other members of trained and untrained staff as required.
  1. To contribute to the education and assessment of student Dietitians.
  1. To attend and participate in department meetings and study days.
  1. To undertake regular (i.e. weekly – monthly depending on needs) clinical supervision with Band 6/7 Dietitian.
  2. To input data onto the in-house dietetic management system and collate reports, in accordance with department guidelines.
Functional Requirements
Direct face to face patient contact Yes Blood/body fluid exposure No
Exposure prone procedures (EPP) No Prevention and management of aggression Yes
Manual handling Yes Crouching/stooping or kneeling Yes
Night working/shift work No Frequent hand washing/wearing gloves Yes
VDU user Yes Chemical sensitisers Yes
Driving patients No Noise No
Other (please state) No

Trust Values

Trust Behaviour Framework

  • All post holders are required to adhere to the Trust’s Behaviour Framework in the undertaking of their duties.

Research & Development

  • May be required to undertake surveys or audits, as necessary to own work; may occasionally participate in R&D, clinical trials or equipment testing.

Safeguarding Clause

  • Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Rigorous recruitment checks are carried out and where applicable to the role successful applicants will be required to undertake a criminal records check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Infection Control

  • Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust staff are responsible for protecting themselves and others against infection risks. All staff regardless of whether clinical or not are expected to comply with current infection control policies and procedures and to report any problems with regard to this to their managers. All staff undertaking patient care activities must attend infection control training and updates as required by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust.

Health and Safety 

  • Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), to ensure the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors.
  • To ensure that the Trust’s Health and Safety Policies are understood and observed and that procedures are followed.
  • To ensure the appropriate use of equipment and facilities and the environment is maintained in good order.
  • To take the necessary precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of themselves, patients, staff and visitors, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
  • To undertake appropriate Health and Safety training to support safe working practice including, where appropriate, its management.

General 

  • All staff are required to respect confidentiality of all matters that they learn as a result of the employment with the Trust, including matters relating to other members of the staff and members of the public/patients.
  • Maintain appropriate patient and clinical records in line with the Trusts policies and procedures, and in line with the agreed service specification.
  • The post holder will be expected to participate in an annual appraisal of their work where the job description will be reviewed and objectives set. In line with the annual personal development plan the post holder will be expected to undertake any training or development required to fulfil their role.
  • Ensure that all patients, clients and colleagues are treated at all times in an equitable manner, respecting diversity and showing an understanding of diversity in the workplace.
  • The post holder must carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the Trust’s Equality and Diversity Policies, Procedures and Schemes and must ensure that equality is promoted at all times.
  • NCHC is committed to supporting our voluntary workforce and all apprentices, and all staff are expected to welcome and support volunteers and apprentices in their teams.

Person Specification

Essential defines the minimum criteria needed to carry out the job and the job cannot be done without these.

Desirable refers to criteria which are not essential and which successful applicants would be expected to acquire during their time in post. The desirable requirements are not taken in to consideration in a job evaluation panel. 

Criteria Essential Desirable Method of Assessment

(Certificates / Application Form / Interview / Document Check)
Qualifications BSc Nutrition & Dietetics or equivalent

 

Current HCPC registration in Dietetics

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Member of the British Dietetic Association

 AF

 

 

AF

 

 

AF
Experience   Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team  
Skills, Abilities and Knowledge Good clinical knowledge in general Dietetics

 

Good communication skills

 

Good organisation skills

 

Good time management and ability to prioritise workload

 

Ability to reflect and appraise own performance

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good teaching and presentation skills

 

Ability to deal with distressed patients, relatives, carers and staff

 

Computer literate

 

 AF/I

 

 

AF/I

 

AF/I

 

AF/I

 

 

 

AF/I

 

 

AF/I

 

 

AF/I

 

 

 

 

 

AF
Personal Attributes / Behaviours

(linked to the Trust’s Behaviour Framework)

  

 

 

Evidence of commitment to lifelong learning

 

Effective role model, demonstrating NCHC’s Trust Behaviour Framework

 Ability to use own initiative

 

 AF/I

 

 

AF/I

 

 

 

AF/I
Other Ability to work flexibly with the Dietetic department

 

   AF/I

Supplementary Information

Please indicate in the boxes whether the post holder will be expected to work in or be directly exposed to the following factors:

FREEDOM TO ACT

    YES NO
1. Does the post holder generally work without close supervision? X
2. Does the post holder work without direct access to a manager? X
3. Does the post holder work without access to a manager by telephone? X
4. Is the post holder the lead specialist in their field? X

Each YES response requires completion in the ‘Further Information’ Section 

How often on average does the post holder give guidance and advice to others?

Daily: X Weekly:

Other frequency (please comment)

How often is the post holder’s work checked / monitored / assessed?

Daily:   Weekly: x

Other frequency (please comment)

Weekly initially dropping to fortnightly then monthly if/when appropriate.

PHYSICAL EFFORT

YES NO YES NO
1. Working in uncomfortable conditions x 9. Standing / sitting with limited scope for movement x
2. Working in physically cramped conditions x 10. Kneeling, crouching, twisting, bending, stretching x
3. Making repetitive movements x 11. Walking for long periods x
4. Lifting weights / equipment without mechanical aid x 12. Heavy duty cleaning x
5. Climbing or crawling x 13. Pushing / pulling trolleys or similar equipment x
6. Manipulating objects x 14. Working at heights x
7. Manual Digging x 15. Controlled restraint ie in post requiring training/certification x
8. Running x 16. Moving patients x

Each YES response requires completion in the ‘Further Information’ Section

MENTAL EFFORT

YES NO YES NO
1. Carry out formal student / trainee assessments x 8. Prepare detailed reports x
2. Carry out clinical / social care interventions x 9. Check documents x
3. Analyse statistics x 10. Drive a vehicle x
4. Operate equipment / machinery x 11. Perform calculations x
5. Give evidence in court / tribunal / formal hearings x 12. Make clinical diagnoses x
6. Attending meetings (if yes, describe role in ‘Further Info’ x 13. Carry out non-clinical fault finding x
7. Carry out screening tests / microscope work x

Each YES response requires completion in the ‘Further Information’ Section 

EMOTIONAL EFFORT

    YES NO
1. Processing (e.g. typing / transmitting) news of highly distressing events x
2. Giving unwelcome news to patients / clients / carers / staff x
3. Caring for the terminally ill x
4. Dealing with difficult situations / circumstances x
5. Designated to provide emotional support to front line staff x
6. Communicating life-changing events x
7. Dealing with people with challenging behaviour x
8. Attending scenes of accidents x

Each YES response requires completion in the ‘Further Information’ Section

WORKING CONDITIONS

YES NO YES NO
1. Inclement Weather x 11. Humidity x
2. Extreme Temperatures x 12. Contaminated equipment / work area x
3. Unpleasant Smells x 13. Driving / Being Driven (normal conditions) x
4. Noxious Fumes x 14. Driving / Being Driven (emergency conditions) x
5. Excessive noise / vibration x 15. Fleas / Lice / Infestation x
6. Continuous use of VDU equipment x 16. Dangerous Chemicals – Substances in Containers x
7. Unpleasant Substances x 17. Dangerous Chemicals – Substances (uncontained) x
8. Infectious Material x 18. Exposure to verbal aggression (little/no support) x
9. Body fluids, Faeces / Vomit x 19. Exposure to physical aggression (little/no support) x
10. Dust / Dirt x

Each YES answer requires completion in the ‘Further Information’ Section 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please enter details of YES responses

Element (e.g. Mental Effort) Ref No Details of intensity Frequency
Freedom to Act 1 & 2 Clinicians will be working unsupervised in the community (clinics, home visits, community hospitals) after an initial induction period and they have been deemed to be competent to do so. A manager and other colleagues will be available by telephone for support. They will complete a preceptorship programme and have regular clinical supervision with line manager Daily
Physical Effort 4

 

 Portable standing scales are used on a regular basis for home visits. Weekly

 

 
4, 10 & 13 Ramp and hoist scales will be used infrequently which are heavy and require kneeling on the floor to set up. Monthly or less
Mental Effort 2 Dietetic intervention for non complex patients Daily
4 Operating stand on, ramp and hoist scales. Weekly
6 Participate in team meetings, peer review meetings, supervision and MDT meetings weekly
10 Will be required to drive to patient’s homes, health centres and training venues Daily
11 Calculate nutritional requirements Daily – weekly
Emotional Effort 3 Dietetic care of terminally ill patients Weekly – monthly
4 Some patients have difficult personal/social circumstances however most patients should be non complex Monthly
7 Sometimes patients can have challenging behaviour. This should be minimised as this caseload does not include learning difficulties and moderate/severe mental health Less than monthly
Working Conditions 3 There can be unpleasant smells at home visits and in ward environments Weekly
13 Driving to clinics and home visits Daily
18 Very occasionally patients can be verbally abusive Less than monthly

Manager responsible for completion of this document

Name: Chloe Howell
Member of Staff to whom this document relates: Band 5 Dietitian
Date Completed: 5th December 2019
Review Date:  

Post Holder’s Signature                 ………………………………………..

Manager’s Signature                       ………………………………………..

Date Job Description Agreed         ………………………………………..

DISTRIBUTION: One copy to member of staff, one copy to personal file.

Please ensure Job Description is agreed and signed by both manager and employee