Specialist Gastroenterology-Surgical Dietitian

Job responsibilities

To provide dietetic advice and support to inpatients and outpatients under the care of the Gastroenterology and other teams as required.

To act as a clinical resource, providing specialist knowledge to members of the dietetic department on Gastroenterology and Nutrition Support.

Provide an in-patient dietetic service and participate in multidisciplinary ward meetings and ward rounds as necessary.

Undertake nutritional assessment, dietary review (where appropriate) and design nutrition care plans taking into consideration anthropometry, biochemistry, pharmacology, and medical history.

To provide a source of expert knowledge and advice on nutrition in gastroenterological disease. Review patients nutritional status and adapt care plans accordingly.

Provide an outpatient service to patients attending specialist gastroenterology clinics.

To maintain accurate and timely dietetic record in the patient records in line with national and local record keeping standards.

Monitor the delivery of services as advised by the Line Manager or Head of Department.

To work cooperatively with other professionals to ensure delivery of coordinated multidisciplinary service to patients requiring nutrition support. Maintain good communication with all agencies involved with patient care e.g. G.Ps, consultants, nurses, pharmacy, allied health professionals, catering etc.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise disease management. To translate complex information into an appropriate format for patients and carers and to be sensitive to patients needs.

To provide cover as needed for colorectal wards with patients who may have undergone surgery requiring stoma formation, being sensitive to their physical and emotional needs.

To participate in the production and review of evidence based resources and ensure that they are produced in line with Trust Document Control Policy.

For detailed roles and responsibilities see job description and person specification attached. For further information and an information discussion contact the recruiting manager.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• oExtensive demonstrable experience in clinical dietetics within the NHS, in particular gastroenterology.
• oGood working clinical knowledge of gastroenterology, surgery and nutritional support.
• oTraining, supervisory and teaching demonstrable experience.
• oDemonstrable experience of working in a multidisciplinary team.
• oDemonstrable experience in audit, standard setting and guideline.

Desirable

• oComputer skills in database use and statistical packages.
• oDemonstrable experience of patients with eating disorders.
• oCompleted BDA approved post registration course.

Qualifications

Essential

• oBSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics or equivalent.
• oProfessional registration (HCPC).
• oProven evidence of recent CPD.

Desirable

• oCompletion of PENG Clinical Update course.
• oRelevant validated BDA courses e.g. coeliac disease, FODMAPS.
• oRegistered for Diploma in advanced dietetic practice.
• oA teaching qualification or demonstrable experience of teaching groups.
• oCompletion of Clinical Supervisory Skills course.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

• oEffective communication skills with an ability to communicate with all levels of healthcare personnel (ward staff, kitchen staff, dietitians, senior and junior medical staff, senior managers) as well as patients and their carer's.
• oAble to work within a team.
• oExpertise in the practical skills of nutritional support.
• oEffective teaching and presentation skills.
• oComputer skills in word processing, spreadsheets and presentations.
• oGood organisational and time management/prioritisation skills.
• oAbility to supervise students and junior department staff.
• oCapable of producing good quality written information for staff and patients.

Desirable

• oAbility to lift feeding equipment / deliver feeding supplies to patients on wards.
• oAbility to work within a busy environment.

Disposition/Attitude/Motivation

Essential

• oEffective team worker.
• oProactive, with an ability to set up new initiative.
• oSelf-motivated.
• oEmpathetic and approachable.

Desirable

• oAn enquiring mind with an enthusiasm for research and innovation.

Other factors

Essential

• oMaintains professional appearance.
• oFlexible regarding duties, the dietetic service may be required in future to cover 7 day working.

Desirable

• oBritish Dietetic Association (BDA) membership.
• oMember of the gastroenterology and PENG Interest Groups (BDA).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).