Job summary
To work as part of a team of paediatric Dietitians to provide a paediatric dietetic service to the Trust. This will include the childrens ward, regular out-patient clinics, and home enteral feeding service
Main duties of the job
Provide a comprehensive dietetic service to paediatric in-patients. We have one childrens ward and one neonatal unit (usually covered by the paediatric team lead).
Cover regular out-patient clinics, with referrals from a range of specialities and also the local child development centre (could include children with neurodisabilities such as cerebral palsy, or social development or communication disorders such as autism)
Review children on home enteral feeding and make amendments to their feed deliveries as required. Liaise with community nursing team regarding changes to feeding equipment needs.
Educate and train other health care workers and professionals to give evidence based nutritional advice.
We take dietetic students from the University of Hertfordshire and the whole department takes part in student training
About us
The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave; a national programme thats changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.
This means were working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.
Were a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.
Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities
1. Clinical/Professional Duties
- In conjunction with the Paediatric Team Leader, provide a dietetic service to wards, out-patient clinics and enteral feeding patients.
- Develop, implement, evaluate and improve one’s own practice to an advanced level on the basis of research and evidence based on the best practice.
- Work within Trust clinical guidelines and BDA guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and protocols, monitoring quality of practice as appropriate.
- Be aware of current advances in dietetic practice and ensure own practice is up to date and evidence based.
- Be actively involved in professional clinical groups, such as BDA Special Interest Groups and other professional development activities.
- Be responsible for maintaining own competency and participate in IPR. To practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development including a PDP.
- Participate in and support others in the development of a clinical supervision programme.
- Work with other members of the Nutrition & Dietetic department to update and develop evidence-based resources such as guidelines, leaflets and diet sheets.
2. Patient/Client Care
- Manage a clinical caseload of paediatric patients requiring dietary treatments, including inpatients, outpatients and home visits as necessary
- Assess, plan and deliver individual dietetic diagnosis, education and effective treatment programmes for paediatric patients of all age groups with a wide range of health and medical problems.
- Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment plans if required.
- Be responsible for organising and planning own caseload to meet service and patient priorities, readjusting plans as situations change/arise.
- Undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills to formulate individualised nutritional management and treatment programmes.
3. Communication Skills
- Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and/or parents/carers. This includes children with a range of learning difficulties.
- Maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines.
- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service.
- To provide information, specialist advice, education and training to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of dietetic intervention and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
4. Education and Research
- Undertake audits or surveys to develop the service and ensure best practice within own area of responsibility.
- Provide specialist advice, teaching and training to other health professionals regarding dietetic management of patients.
5. Managerial Responsibilities
- Supervise, educate and help to assess the performance of dietetic students.
- Supervise lower grade paediatric dietitian or assistant as appropriate
6. Information Management
- Undertake data collection for use in service audit and research projects.
- Input and retrieve data into electronic patient record systems used by the trust, or those shared by other local trusts and tertiary hospitals, and also external systems such as Nutricia Connect (Home enteral feeding database).
- Ensure the necessary precautions are adhered to when transferring information, only disclosing patient identifiable information in line with Caldicott and the Data Protection Act.
7. Policy and service development
- In conjunction the Paediatric Team Leader, develop, review and update policies and guidelines specific to nutrition and dietetics. Liaise with other health professionals regarding their implementation.
9. Freedom to act
- To be professionally accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients own care.
- Manage clinical risk within own patient caseload.
- Work within Trust clinical guidelines and BDA guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and protocols, monitoring quality of practice as appropriate.
- To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
- This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Duties and responsibilities
1. Clinical/Professional Duties
- In conjunction with the Paediatric Team Leader, provide a dietetic service to wards, out-patient clinics and enteral feeding patients.
- Develop, implement, evaluate and improve one’s own practice to an advanced level on the basis of research and evidence based on the best practice.
- Work within Trust clinical guidelines and BDA guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and protocols, monitoring quality of practice as appropriate.
- Be aware of current advances in dietetic practice and ensure own practice is up to date and evidence based.
- Be actively involved in professional clinical groups, such as BDA Special Interest Groups and other professional development activities.
- Be responsible for maintaining own competency and participate in IPR. To practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development including a PDP.
- Participate in and support others in the development of a clinical supervision programme.
- Work with other members of the Nutrition & Dietetic department to update and develop evidence-based resources such as guidelines, leaflets and diet sheets.
2. Patient/Client Care
- Manage a clinical caseload of paediatric patients requiring dietary treatments, including inpatients, outpatients and home visits as necessary
- Assess, plan and deliver individual dietetic diagnosis, education and effective treatment programmes for paediatric patients of all age groups with a wide range of health and medical problems.
- Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment plans if required.
- Be responsible for organising and planning own caseload to meet service and patient priorities, readjusting plans as situations change/arise.
- Undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills to formulate individualised nutritional management and treatment programmes.
3. Communication Skills
- Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and/or parents/carers. This includes children with a range of learning difficulties.
- Maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal and departmental requirements and communicate assessment and treatment results to the appropriate disciplines.
- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing and therapy colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service.
- To provide information, specialist advice, education and training to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of dietetic intervention and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care.
4. Education and Research
- Undertake audits or surveys to develop the service and ensure best practice within own area of responsibility.
- Provide specialist advice, teaching and training to other health professionals regarding dietetic management of patients.
5. Managerial Responsibilities
- Supervise, educate and help to assess the performance of dietetic students.
- Supervise lower grade paediatric dietitian or assistant as appropriate
6. Information Management
- Undertake data collection for use in service audit and research projects.
- Input and retrieve data into electronic patient record systems used by the trust, or those shared by other local trusts and tertiary hospitals, and also external systems such as Nutricia Connect (Home enteral feeding database).
- Ensure the necessary precautions are adhered to when transferring information, only disclosing patient identifiable information in line with Caldicott and the Data Protection Act.
7. Policy and service development
- In conjunction the Paediatric Team Leader, develop, review and update policies and guidelines specific to nutrition and dietetics. Liaise with other health professionals regarding their implementation.
9. Freedom to act
- To be professionally accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients own care.
- Manage clinical risk within own patient caseload.
- Work within Trust clinical guidelines and BDA guidelines and to have a good working knowledge of national and local standards and protocols, monitoring quality of practice as appropriate.
- To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
- This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and the manager. All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or equivalent post-graduate qualification
- Registered as a Dietitian with the Health and Care Professions Council
- Evidence of post registration training in the form of short courses and study days
Desirable
- Evidence of post registration training in paediatric dietetics, e.g. BDA Paediatric modules, short courses
Experience
Essential
- Post-registration experience working in general dietetics in an acute setting
- Experience of working within paediatrics at band 5 or band 6 level
Desirable
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary clinic
- Experience in a specialist area relevant to paediatrics e.g. allergies / Home enteral feeding
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or equivalent post-graduate qualification
- Registered as a Dietitian with the Health and Care Professions Council
- Evidence of post registration training in the form of short courses and study days
Desirable
- Evidence of post registration training in paediatric dietetics, e.g. BDA Paediatric modules, short courses
Experience
Essential
- Post-registration experience working in general dietetics in an acute setting
- Experience of working within paediatrics at band 5 or band 6 level
Desirable
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary clinic
- Experience in a specialist area relevant to paediatrics e.g. allergies / Home enteral feeding
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.
