Paediatric Dietitian

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To provide a quality Paediatric Dietetic service to patients on the childrens ward and in outpatient clinics in various settings, including some schools for children with additional needs

To facilitate group education sessions for parents with/without children

To liaise with senior members of the team

To participate in the training of other health professionals as agreed with clinical lead

To participate in the development of resources for use in the department

Communications

To communicate clearly and effectively with a range of individuals including patients, family members and other health professionals

To demonstrate empathy with patients and their parents/carers, ensuring their views, choices and experiences influence Dietetic care provision

To use a range of communication tools including motivation and negotiation. To recognise barriers to change and be familiar with different types of communication e.g. verbal and non verbal. To be able to use cognitive behavioural approaches where necessary.

To be able to communicate clearly with small groups

To develop clear concise written reports for the referrers to the service.

To maintain accurate and comprehensive records and treatment plans in line with organisational standards.

Responsibility for Patient Care

To be responsible for a clinical caseload of inpatients and outpatients, with a range of conditions, requiring competent clinical practice with guidance and support from more experienced colleagues as required.

Has an awareness of own limitations and seeks guidance from more experienced colleagues appropriately.

To be individually responsible for assessment of nutritional need, determination and monitoring of treatment or requirements. This will involve nutritional diagnosis, interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometrics and clinical condition, with guidance and support from more experienced colleagues as required.

To take responsibility for ensuring that patients and parents/carers have consented prior to dietetic intervention, in line with professional guidelines.

To consider the practical implications of advice and tailor information to the individual circumstances of the patients, families and staff involved.

To ensure that appropriate internal and external agencies have the necessary information to support the client in meeting their needs.

To facilitate referrals to the appropriate agency or health care colleagues on identification of a non-dietetic need; or if referrals require more specific specialist advice.

To liaise with hospital and practice based staff, other health care professionals, GPs, dietetic colleagues and support workers to provide an integrated approach to patient care including individual case management.

To provide dietetic advice to medical staff, health care professionals and organisations as requested.

To recommend appropriate nutritional supplements/specialised formulas

To provide dietetic cover for colleagues during periods of absence

Plan, organise and present clinical teaching programmes for health care

professionals and patient groups in response to identified need.

Identifies service needs, areas for improvement or efficiency and in conjunction with dietetic management implements action plans to improve provision in line with overall priorities and resources.

Contributes as an active team member and participates in department and team developments, clinical governance issues, projects and professional development meetings.

Ensures safe practice through development of workload management taking into account risk management and documentation and reporting of critical incidents as outlined in the organisations guidance.

Participates fully in Safeguarding Supervision sessions

Participates fully in the appraisal process and maintains professional development in line with national legislation. Complies with professional codes of conduct, performance and ethics, professional guidelines and department policies and maintains strict confidentiality; and is accountable for own work.

Planning and organising

Has the ability to work independently, using good time management and organisational skills to meet the demands of the job role across different sites

Can prioritise own work and be flexible around whole service needs.

Can plan and deliver training within specific time scales as appropriate.

Responsibilities for Physical and / or Financial Resources

Will ensure safe and efficient use of equipment, resources and consumables at all times in line with organisational policy.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development and Implementation

To embrace and support line management and the department in making service improvements effective within the workplace.

Responsibilities for Human Resources and Leadership

Support new or less experienced work colleagues to adapt to the workplace.

To participate in the clinical supervision of students during their A and B placements

(following appropriate training)

Responsibilities for Teaching and Training

To develop / deliver and evaluate training and education as required.

Contributes to the professional development of all members of the department including students.

Responsibilities for data and information resources

Will record Data / Activity accurately and in a timely fashion according to organisational standards

Physical Skills and Effort

Transports equipment scales, feeding pumps etc to ward/clinics, in line with organisational standards.

Will use interpreters as required.

Will manage a work pattern that can be unpredictable and can require change in priorities and a rapid response.

Will have frequent exposure to patients with chronic conditions, many of who will be newly diagnosed and still coming to terms with the condition. Anxiety can be high and sensitivity is needed.

Will work with some patients with a terminal illness

May be exposed to unpleasant sights and smells.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

Essential

• BSc (Hons)or post graduate diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Current registration with the HCPC

Desirable

• Member of the BDA
• Student assessment course

Knowledge

Essential

• Good practical knowledge of the dietetic treatment of a range of conditions.
• Working knowledge of evidence based / best practice interventions
• Knowledge of relevant national and local clinical guidelines
• Knowledge of the roles of other professionals and the principles of multidisciplinary team and partnership working
• Able to demonstrate a problem solving approach to the nutritional management of a range of conditions

Desirable

• Knowledge of current professional issues within dietetics

Experience

Essential

• Experience working with a patients with a range of clinical conditions including nutritional support (oral and enteral tube feeding)

Desirable

• Experience working with individuals with long terms or degenerative conditions where empathy and good communication is needed
• Work / voluntary experience in a healthcare / public facing environment

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills suitable for use with planning and providing treatment
• Good listening skills and an ability to offer empathy.
• Good time management and organisational skills.
• Able to prioritise work.
• Good report writing skills.
• Able to use judgement and clinical expertise to interpret and analyse information.
• Has an understanding of own limitations and when to ask for assistance
• Able to work independently and as part of a team
• Able to work under pressure
• Computer literacy and key board skills
• Able to demonstrate Continued Professional Development

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

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Tameside General Hospital

Fountain Street

Ashton Under Lyne

OL6 9RW

Employer's website

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