Community Dietitian

Job description

Job responsibilities

CLINICAL Autonomously manage a varied and complex caseload of patients requiring nutrition support To provide patient centered approach for patients who require oral nutrition support, either in their own homes, dietetic clinics or within residential care homes To provide clinical nutrition and dietetic advice to non complex paediatrics patients. To provide clinical nutrition and dietetic advice to patients, on a one-to-one basis within a clinic setting, by telephone/video consultation and also in a virtual group consultation setting providing specialist dietary advice in the management of long-term conditions. To counsel and educate patients and their carers on complex dietary interventions for diabetes. This will involve nutritional assessment of patients using evidence-based approach, including the calculation of nutritional requirements based on the interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometry and clinical condition resulting in the formulation of a dietetic treatment plan. Provide a service to patient groups within community Diabetes specialist/General clinics, both individual and group consultations.

To be competent in the use of behavioural therapy when counselling patients To deliver structured group education sessions to patients with diabetes and their carers, primarily DESMOND for patients with type 2 Diabetes. If not already a trained DESMOND facilitator, there will be an opportunity to complete this training. To contribute to the development of protocols and guidelines for the nutritional care of patients To be able to develop and use communications and teaching skills to educate the diverse and multicultural population. Make recommendations to doctors on the prescription of oral nutrition support products for patients, dependent on their condition. To educate patients and their carers on complex dietary interventions for enteraland/or oral feeding as required, ensuring compliance with dietary treatment. To actively participate in the promotion of good health through promoting healthy eating, in line with government policies and local priorities, liaising closely with the public health departments. To participate in continuing professional development, audit and research activities within the specialist area. To be part of setting up and delivering health promotion and patient education groups/group consultations. To be competent in the use of information technology including the formulation of databases for research and audit purposes as well as the use of nutritional packages for assessment of patients nutritional requirements and dietary adequacy as directed by service lead. Freedom to act interpreting the Health and Care Professions Council Code of Conduct and working to all agreed standards, policies and procedures within the Dietetic Department and Whittington Health.

COMMUNICATION To communicate effectively with patients and carers, using motivational interviewing skills where necessary. To gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment. Communicate complex information sensitively and effectively with patients, carers and other staff to ensure adequate understanding of the condition and treatment required, particularly where there are significant barriers to understanding/communication such as non-English speaking patients, mental illness, loss of hearing/ sight impairment, cognitive impairment, behavioural problems and dementia. To ensure that documentation is accurate and meets the standards legally required by the BDA and Whittington Health. To demonstrate the ability to work as part of a team. Produce timely and informative reports as required regarding patient nutritional assessment and treatment for GPs and other health care professionals. To be able to develop and use communication and teaching skills to educate the diverse and multicultural population. To communicate and liaise with the community multidisciplinary teams and services regarding the nutritional management of patients and where necessary providing highly specialist information and education to clinicians.PROFESSIONAL To ensure practice is evidence based, by keeping up to date with new research literature, and by regularly evaluating working practices through evidence-based practice projects, audit and research. To make recommendations to changes in clinical practice and assist in the implementation of new working practices. To work as part of the diabetes and dietetics team, towards new developments, attending and participating in relevant staff meetings and CPD meetings. To participate in staff appraisal and be working towards an individual personal development plan. To keep a professional portfolio of CPD activities undertaken to comply with HCPC requirements for registration.

MANAGEMENT To work alongside the Band 7 Dietitian assisting to identify areas requiring service development. Effectively organise your own caseload to ensure own work demands and organisational demands are meet. To actively participate in the appraisal process and ensure continuing professional development encompassing a portfolio-based assessment in line with national legislation. Undertake any other duty, appropriate to the post, as requested by the Service Lead for Nutrition and Dietetics and Intermediate Diabetes Specialist Service. To have line management responsibility for junior members of the team and supervise student dietitians as required.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT To organise, implement and evaluate group education/group consultation sessions for different client groups. To be involved with and to contribute to the training of more junior staff and students within the department, in service training and peer reviews. Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training or education as required. To keep up to date with current nutritional knowledge and dietetic practice, and update colleagues, as appropriate. To develop evidence based written resources and educational material for use with patients and other health care professionals. To identify and undertake audit and research projects that will enhance patient care. To monitor and evaluate own dietetic practice and participate in audit of both clinical topics and those relevant to the management of the service. This will include suggesting and implementing innovation to the service to reflect the needs of the local community.

EFFORT AND ENVIRONMENTAL To demonstrate compassion, empathy and sensitivity to clients who may have complex emotional and physical conditions and social concerns requiring moderate emotional effort on a daily basis. To perform tasks that require moderate to high mental effort on a daily basis, for example concentration to write letters, develop presentations, use clinical analysis and reasoning skills to make diagnoses, assessments and develop appropriate treatment programs and to educate clients throughout the day. To perform tasks which require the use and transportation of anthropometric measurement equipment for dietary assessment, and which may require moderate mental and physical effort. Frequently exposed to lone working conditions in a variety of settings. To travel to clinics or community settings, dietetic offices throughout the boroughs of Haringey and Islington using the most appropriate form of transport e.g., walking, cycling, public transport, which may require moderate physical effort on a daily basis. To respond to inconsistent work patterns and to be able to respond to stressful situations, manage time effectively, make adjustments and prioritise as required using moderate mental effort on a daily basis. May be exposed to unpleasant working conditions (relating to patients own homes, such as unhygienic and cluttered environments, pets and other animals).

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics
• HCPC Registration as a Dietitian
• Post- graduate training /short courses or equivalent relevant experience

Desirable

• Registered member of the British Dietetic Association
• Member of a specialist interest group
• Post registration in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Experience

Essential

• Experience of managing Oral Nutrition Support and Enteral Nutrition
• Experience of general outpatient clinics
• Experience of working in the community setting
• Experience in delivering group education for clients/ patients
• Experience of basic paediatric dietetics
• Experience of conducting audits/research

Desirable

• Experience of working in Nursing Homes
• Experience of student training
• Experience of working in mental health settings
• Working with a Multi-disciplinary team

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Sound clinical knowledge of nutrition and dietetics and an understanding of the dietary management of common conditions as well as specialist knowledge of diabetes.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Multi-disciplinary and inter- agency working
• Skills in the assessment and treatment of people with Diabetes
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Good presentation skills
• Self- motivated and able to prioritise own workload
• Effective interpersonal skills (including problem solving, 10 influencing, and negotiating skills)
• Ability to apply the issues related to cultural diversity
• Computer literacy- familiarity with dietary analysis programs, word processing, database management

Effort and Environment

Essential

• Using anthropometric equipment, such as weighing scales and Stadiometer.
• Able to carry equipment (e.g., weighing scales) within the boroughs whilst travelling to and from patient homes
• To deal sensitively with clients that may be suffering from conditions that may lead to anxiety, fear, or aggressive behaviour
• To work in an environment where work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from clinical staff, assistants and administrative staff
• To be potentially exposed to occasional unpleasant working conditions, which may involve exposure to bodily fluids such as vomit, urine, saliva, and unpleasant smells

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Enthusiastic, motivated and shows initiative and assertiveness
• Able to stay calm when dealing with a number of issues at the same time
• Able to work to promote the service
• Flexible and adaptable in different situations

Other Requirements

Essential

• To cover for the work for other dietitians as deemed necessary

Desirable

• Car owner/driver Current valid driving license

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Hornsey Rise Health Centre

Hornsey Rise

London

N19 3YU

Employer's website

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