Job summary
Dietetic Assistant, Band 4
Cross-site: Chelsea and West Middlesex (Shuttle bus provided between sites)
To be the Dietetic Assistant for Bariatric and Weight Management services at Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust and support the delivery of a specialised and comprehensive nutrition and dietetic service within the specialism of Bariatric Surgery.
Main duties of the job
- Assist, support and work under the direction of qualified dietitians
- Record patient information accurately
- Collect and analyse data as part of the departmental audit programme
- Carry out administrative duties within the department
- Work as an effective member of the dietetic team and contribute to the development of the dietetic service.
- Provide advice to new and follow up patients
The post holder will provide dietetic assessment, treatment and management along with the Dietitian, with a designated caseload of patients and maintain up to date dietetic records. They will use evidence based principles and current best practise to assess, plan, implement and evaluate dietetic interventions.
The service is currently reviewing the working pattern for therapy posts which may include seven day working and cross site working.
About us
We have over 6,000 members of staff that are PROUD to Care for nearly one million people. Both hospitals provide full clinical services, including full maternity, emergency and children's, in addition to a range of community-based services across London, such as award-winning sexual health and HIV clinics.
We're one of the best preforming Trusts in the country. We're also one of the top trusts to work for, our staff say they're engaged, motivated, and would recommend us as a place to work and receive treatment.
Our Trust has been rated by the Care Quality Commission as 'Good' in all five of the main domains of safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led, giving an us overall rating of 'Good'. We've also been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating for 'use of resources' by an NHS Improvement inspection.
Our facilities are some of the best in the country. We have been investing around £10 million a year in our estate. We are currently spending £25 million on expanding our adult and neonatal critical care facilities at Chelsea and Westminster and redevelopment of our children's unit at West Middlesex - in partnership with our charity, CW+ and generous donors.
Job description
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL
- Assist the chronic disease dietitians with patient assessment and treatment and follow up as designated. You will be supervised by a qualified dietitian
- To carry out assessments for bariatric and weight management patients which involves, weight, height and calculation of BMI, diet history analysis, information provision and be able to communicate assessment to the bariatric multi-disciplinary team
- To lead patient group education sessions supervised by the bariatric dietitians
- Assess patients progress on the pre-operative bariatric pathway and liaise with the bariatric multi-disciplinary team. This will require interaction with patients of varying ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
- To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools when communicating with patients/carers to maximise the patient understands of information being provided. This will include communication with people who speak English as a second language, through the use of an interpreter
- Liaise with patients carers/relatives to obtain specific information under the direction of a qualified dietitian
- To plan and prioritise patient caseload
- To update patient/client records
- To devise educational materials with a clear evidence base, and that are acceptable to users of the service and their carers
- To work within departmental procedures and standards
- To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of work, including the management of patients in your care
- To show an awareness of own limitations in knowledge, skills and abilities and be confident to escalate or discuss as needed to a qualified dietitian or line manager.
- To attend and participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings
PROFESSIONAL
- To participate in formal and informal training programmes and defined patient group education sessions on nutrition and dietetics for groups of patients or other healthcare professionals (e.g. Nurse Induction, tutorials to ward staff, student induction, pre op education).
- To develop and improve clinical and non-clinical expertise through continuous professional development, and to maintain a portfolio of relevant activities.
- To participate and contribute to the clinical governance activities within the department including the regular audit programmes currently in place.
- To contribute to the induction of students and new assistants into the department.
- To ensure that all mandatory training is completed within the required timescales.
- To participate in the Performance Development Review system as and be responsible for fulfilling your agreed objectives and personal development plan.
- To ensure adherence to Trust policy and guidelines at all times
- To role model Trust values at all times
ORGANISATIONAL
- Where necessary, provide cover for other assistants and in the absence of departmental colleagues for instance during sick leave, annual leave and maternity leave.
- To contribute to departmental meetings and teaching sessions as appropriate e.g. preparing teaching packs, agendas, photocopying.
- Report and record statistical information in line with departmental and Trust policy.
- To input data collection for statistical purposes and projects.
- To maintain department spreadsheets for audit and patient tracking
- To assist with relevant audits within the dietetic department administrative processes, including referral rates, waiting times, DNA rates, catering and supplement provision.
- To undertake administrative duties when required and as directed by the team lead. This will include filing, photocopying, booking outpatient transport, booking patients appointments, maintaining supply of patient information sheets and dealing with phone enquiries.
- To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.
- Any other administrative and secretarial duties assigned by the service manager and professional managers
- To demonstrate good time management and organisational skills in the daily management of own workload and to be able to adapt flexibly to sudden changes in workload.
- To ensure timely communication of assessments and findings, treatment and outcomes to other involved disciplines through the provision of social services reports, discharge letters etc.
- To keep accurate and up-to-date patient records in line with departmental, professional and legal standards.
- To contribute to service and policy developments
- To develop and maintain effective communication and working relationships with other professional groups, and staff generally within the Division and the Trust
- To assist in the delivery of induction / orientation of new staff and students
COMMUNICATION
- To complete patient assessment letters under supervision
- To communicate with patients about education and support groups dates and times
- To facilitate pre op group education sessions, following the lesson plan and pre made slides.
- To play a key role in the communication with catering and ward staff including supervisors, ward hostesses and feeding volunteers
- To politely and professionally receive telephone calls and messages from patients and pass onto dietetic colleagues as appropriate
- To participate and fully contribute to departmental and professional activities. To help organise bariatric team meetings
- To produce diet sheets and other display material as necessary. Ensure supplies of patient information sheets are maintained
- To promote the service to all users both within and outside the Trust in conjunction with departmental colleagues
- To effectively deal with enquiries, via telephone, e-mail, post or in person, and ensure accurate dissemination of information and appropriate action where required in a timely manner
- Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.
- To maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with Trust policy
PLEASE SEE JD/PS FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE POST
Job description
Job responsibilities
CLINICAL
- Assist the chronic disease dietitians with patient assessment and treatment and follow up as designated. You will be supervised by a qualified dietitian
- To carry out assessments for bariatric and weight management patients which involves, weight, height and calculation of BMI, diet history analysis, information provision and be able to communicate assessment to the bariatric multi-disciplinary team
- To lead patient group education sessions supervised by the bariatric dietitians
- Assess patients progress on the pre-operative bariatric pathway and liaise with the bariatric multi-disciplinary team. This will require interaction with patients of varying ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds
- To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools when communicating with patients/carers to maximise the patient understands of information being provided. This will include communication with people who speak English as a second language, through the use of an interpreter
- Liaise with patients carers/relatives to obtain specific information under the direction of a qualified dietitian
- To plan and prioritise patient caseload
- To update patient/client records
- To devise educational materials with a clear evidence base, and that are acceptable to users of the service and their carers
- To work within departmental procedures and standards
- To be professionally and legally responsible for all aspects of work, including the management of patients in your care
- To show an awareness of own limitations in knowledge, skills and abilities and be confident to escalate or discuss as needed to a qualified dietitian or line manager.
- To attend and participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings
PROFESSIONAL
- To participate in formal and informal training programmes and defined patient group education sessions on nutrition and dietetics for groups of patients or other healthcare professionals (e.g. Nurse Induction, tutorials to ward staff, student induction, pre op education).
- To develop and improve clinical and non-clinical expertise through continuous professional development, and to maintain a portfolio of relevant activities.
- To participate and contribute to the clinical governance activities within the department including the regular audit programmes currently in place.
- To contribute to the induction of students and new assistants into the department.
- To ensure that all mandatory training is completed within the required timescales.
- To participate in the Performance Development Review system as and be responsible for fulfilling your agreed objectives and personal development plan.
- To ensure adherence to Trust policy and guidelines at all times
- To role model Trust values at all times
ORGANISATIONAL
- Where necessary, provide cover for other assistants and in the absence of departmental colleagues for instance during sick leave, annual leave and maternity leave.
- To contribute to departmental meetings and teaching sessions as appropriate e.g. preparing teaching packs, agendas, photocopying.
- Report and record statistical information in line with departmental and Trust policy.
- To input data collection for statistical purposes and projects.
- To maintain department spreadsheets for audit and patient tracking
- To assist with relevant audits within the dietetic department administrative processes, including referral rates, waiting times, DNA rates, catering and supplement provision.
- To undertake administrative duties when required and as directed by the team lead. This will include filing, photocopying, booking outpatient transport, booking patients appointments, maintaining supply of patient information sheets and dealing with phone enquiries.
- To deal with initial complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation where possible.
- Any other administrative and secretarial duties assigned by the service manager and professional managers
- To demonstrate good time management and organisational skills in the daily management of own workload and to be able to adapt flexibly to sudden changes in workload.
- To ensure timely communication of assessments and findings, treatment and outcomes to other involved disciplines through the provision of social services reports, discharge letters etc.
- To keep accurate and up-to-date patient records in line with departmental, professional and legal standards.
- To contribute to service and policy developments
- To develop and maintain effective communication and working relationships with other professional groups, and staff generally within the Division and the Trust
- To assist in the delivery of induction / orientation of new staff and students
COMMUNICATION
- To complete patient assessment letters under supervision
- To communicate with patients about education and support groups dates and times
- To facilitate pre op group education sessions, following the lesson plan and pre made slides.
- To play a key role in the communication with catering and ward staff including supervisors, ward hostesses and feeding volunteers
- To politely and professionally receive telephone calls and messages from patients and pass onto dietetic colleagues as appropriate
- To participate and fully contribute to departmental and professional activities. To help organise bariatric team meetings
- To produce diet sheets and other display material as necessary. Ensure supplies of patient information sheets are maintained
- To promote the service to all users both within and outside the Trust in conjunction with departmental colleagues
- To effectively deal with enquiries, via telephone, e-mail, post or in person, and ensure accurate dissemination of information and appropriate action where required in a timely manner
- Ensure all communication is presented appropriately to the different recipients, according to levels of understanding, type of communication being imparted and possible barriers such as language, culture, understanding or physical or mental health conditions.
- To maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with Trust policy
PLEASE SEE JD/PS FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE POST
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- General Education to A-Level or Equivalent
- Undergone relevant theoretical and practical work-based training or hold academic/ NVQ level III qualification
Desirable
- Nutrition qualification or course
- Member of the British Dietetic Association
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working with the public
- Previous administrative role
Desirable
- Previous experience working health care setting/ administrative role/ data collection / Electronic Patient Records
- Experience of collecting and analysing data
- Knowledge of stock control and use of basic clerical equipment
- Experience presenting to groups
- Experience working in a health care setting
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Understands challenges of hospital working/ reflective practice/ sensitivity to cultural differences/ self-management/ communicaiton skills/ computer literacy/ challenges in dietetics
- Identifies challenges of working in varying hospital settings and demonstrates the ability to adapt own practice accordingly
- The ability to use reflective practice as a tool for growth and development Awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences and beliefs
- Evidence of effective self-management including time, prioritisation, clinical caseload and stress
- Excellent communication skills with patients, relatives, staff and external contacts, including in challenging situations, demonstrating respect and kindness
- Knowledge of current challenging and issues in profession
- Computer literacy skills
Desirable
- Working as dietetic assistant in another trust
- Knowledge of the local area serviced by the hospital
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- General Education to A-Level or Equivalent
- Undergone relevant theoretical and practical work-based training or hold academic/ NVQ level III qualification
Desirable
- Nutrition qualification or course
- Member of the British Dietetic Association
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working with the public
- Previous administrative role
Desirable
- Previous experience working health care setting/ administrative role/ data collection / Electronic Patient Records
- Experience of collecting and analysing data
- Knowledge of stock control and use of basic clerical equipment
- Experience presenting to groups
- Experience working in a health care setting
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Understands challenges of hospital working/ reflective practice/ sensitivity to cultural differences/ self-management/ communicaiton skills/ computer literacy/ challenges in dietetics
- Identifies challenges of working in varying hospital settings and demonstrates the ability to adapt own practice accordingly
- The ability to use reflective practice as a tool for growth and development Awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences and beliefs
- Evidence of effective self-management including time, prioritisation, clinical caseload and stress
- Excellent communication skills with patients, relatives, staff and external contacts, including in challenging situations, demonstrating respect and kindness
- Knowledge of current challenging and issues in profession
- Computer literacy skills
Desirable
- Working as dietetic assistant in another trust
- Knowledge of the local area serviced by the hospital
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.