Job responsibilities
Development, application and dissemination of expertise
To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of work in compliance with the ethical code of practice set out by the Health and Care Professions Council.
Formulate and deliver individual dietetic treatment plans for patients based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of a wide range of dietetic treatments.
Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment regimens as required.
To manage clinical risk within own patient caseload with the support of more senior staff.
Work within Trust clinical guidelines and to have good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor quality of practice as appropriate.
To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with British Dietetic Association (BDA) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of practice.
Team working, decision making and communication
Represent the dietetic service and/or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service, and integrate dietetic therapy into the treatment programme. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.
Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients. Use persuasive and empathetic communication skills to motivate patients so enabling them to progress rehabilitation and treatment programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding and/or communicating.
To provide expert nutritional advice to patients, carers and clinicians regarding provision of nutritional support for patients based on clinical evidence. This requires detailed nutritional assessment; to include the calculation of nutritional requirements based on the interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometrics and clinical condition
To take delegated responsibility from more senior staff for managing patients with particular conditions and be responsible for providing dietetic assessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions.
To be responsible for the discharge planning of patients going home on artificial nutritional support.
- Liaise with the Catering department to promote optimal nutrition for patients.
Audit and research
Undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures either individually or with more senior dietitians.
To undertake as directed the collection of data for use in service audit and research projects. To manage and undertake research into specific areas of clinical practice and service delivery using a range of research methodologies as part of MDT audit and departmental research initiatives.
Development activities
Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.
To complete a service improvement project during each appraisal period.
To be an active team member of the dietetic department at Kings participating in departmental developments and attending monthly staff and continuing professional development meetings.
To assist the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics in ensuring that department resources are used to best effect and in appropriate aspects of budget management.
Compliance with Trust and National operational procedures and guidance
To keep statistics and written records of all inpatient and outpatient contacts in accordance with Trust and departmental standards for record keeping.
To comply with professional codes of practice, professional guidelines and departmental policies.
To carry out good office practice in accordance with the departments policies and procedures.
To maintain strict confidentiality of patients records in accordance with Trust policy, the Health Professions Council Code of Practice and the Data Protection act 1984.
To understand the Trusts Equal Opportunities policy and provide a fair and non-biased service.
To understand the Trusts Health & Safety policy and be aware of personal responsibilities.
Contribution to service continuity
To demonstrate flexibility in providing cover in times of staff shortage within the rotational areas with senior support.
- To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade as requested by the Head of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Personal development responsibilities
Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidenced-based practice in the each area, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient groups.
To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
Responsibilities for the training and development of others
To line manage a Band 5 dietitian within the team, participating in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensuring they have a clear set of objectives and development plans.
To be responsible for teaching student dietitians to graduate level on dietetic practice, including skills and knowledge within core clinical areas.
To provide clinical supervision to dietetic assistants.
To supervise dietetic assistants and student dietitians record keeping according to professional and dietetic service standards.
To develop resources to support the delivery of high quality care, including diet sheets, posters and presentations as required
General
- The post holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital, in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
- To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King's College Hospital NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
- To live and role model the Kings Values of: Kind, Respectful, Team
- To observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff.
- To be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
- This job description is intended as a guide to the general scope of duties and is not intended to be definitive or restrictive. It is expected that some of the duties will change over time and this description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder.
- All employees must hold an 'nhs.net' email account which will be the Trust's formal route for email communication.
Safe Guarding
The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by;
- attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
- familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns
- reportingany safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately
Infection Control
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas.
The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role.
These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times.
