Dietetic Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

This post is based in the Nutrition and Dietetic Department of Derriford Hospital with a requirement to travel to out-lying UHP sites.

To work independently, but under the direction of an HCPC registered dietitian to perform specific tasks for an individual or group of patients.

Be responsible for all aspects of own work and demonstrate awareness of own level of responsibility and accountability within the service, and when to seek advice from the dietitians.

To work within protocols and competencies specific to this post. To act as first contact in specific situations.

Check and support the use of nutritional screening tools. This will involve weighing and measuring patients as well as ongoing staff training.

Implementation of MUST care plan, introduction of oral nutritional supplements and monitoring of compliance.

Assist in the collection of relevant data for facilitating care plans such as, referral information, medical summaries, requesting information from GP surgeries/other hospitals etc.

Retrieve and record biochemistry results and inform the dietitian of results as appropriate.

Undertake patient reviews of selected patients under the supervision of the dietitian. This will include nutritional assessment, information gathering, identifying patient needs, development of nutritional care plans and review of progress at regular intervals.

Calculating, documenting and monitoring oral food and fluid intake e.g., food and fluid record charts and discussing nutritional intake with patients and any barriers preventing them from meeting the nutritional care plan goals.

Documenting nutritional assessment reviews and all patient contacts in medical and nursing notes.

Communication of patient care plans with relevant healthcare professionals and providing feedback to the dietitian. The role will also involve giving advice, assisting patients in making dietary changes and undertaking diet histories.

Strict adherence to outcome monitoring as directed by team leaders

Act as a dietetic representative at multidisciplinary meetings as required

Work flexibly and carry out duties as directed and agreed with the dietitians.

Assist the dietitians, and nursing staff with effective discharge planning including facilitating the safe discharge of patients requiring Home Enteral Tube Feeding, and training patients / carers in the use of equipment e.g. feeding pump training.

Ordering and management of adequate stock levels of nutritional supplements, dietary booklets and resources.

Assist the dietitians with data collection for audit / research projects. This may include clinical data collection to demonstrate outcomes of care, patient satisfaction surveys and audit of screening in the hospital.

Be aware of limitations of own knowledge and experience and seek advice and guidance as required.

Reinforce advice given to patients/carers by dietitian as requested.

Follow up patients by means of telephone and/or face to face reviews.

Contribute to departmental and external meetings as delegated by a dietitian.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in a healthcare environment
• An interest in food and nutrition.
• Excellent computer skills (to be assessed at interview)

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience of working as a Dietetic Assistant.
• Demonstrable experience of working with people with specific dietary needs.
• Demonstrable experience of healthcare computer systems.

Qualifications

Essential

• Good standard of general education with GCSE English and Mathematics as a minimum (Grades 7-4 Or A-C, old grading system)
• Legible handwriting (assess at interview).

Desirable

• Formal Word processing training
• Formal database training.

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

• Ability to communicate sensitively effectively and professionally at all levels in oral written and electronic formats.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Good time management skills - able to prioritise work and respond to unpredictable situations.

Desirable

• Resourceful

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).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH

Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)