Job responsibilities
2. JOB
PURPOSE
To provide clinical and administrative support to dietitians
working within Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The post holder works
independently, but all patient related
work is directed by a dietitian and conducted according to policies and
procedures.
JOB DIMENSIONS
Assists the dietitians in the provision of clinical
advice to patients and carers
Assists the dietitians in delivering teaching and
education to patients and care providers
Assists the dietitians in the provision of in-service
training to healthcare staff and dietetic students
Liaises with pharmacists in the control of ward stock
levels of nutritional/dietary products
This role requires the individual to show initiative in
assisting and supporting dietetic staff
Be an active member of the Dietetic out of hour4s service
as required under the supervision of a dietitian
5. KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Essential
Level 3
qualification in relevant health / social care related subject.
GCSE English and
Maths grade C minimum or Functional Skills equivalent
Communication
skills - written, verbal and numberacy
Interpersonal
skills
Ability to work
as part of a team (Dietetics and MDT)
Problem solving
Time managerment
Organisational
skills
Show initiative
Adaptable
Demonstrate
continued professional and personal development
Maintain
confidentiality
Experience of
working in a Health care, education or Social Care setting as a carer or
similar.
Demonstrate an
awareness of Equality and Diversity
Demonstrate
understanding of Nutrition and Dietetics
Desirable
Previous
experience in a Heathcare setting
Advanced
knowledge of information technology systems
Completion of
the CARE certificate. Otherwise will be mandatory training requirement during
the first 3 months of employment.
THE LEEDS WAY
VALUES
Our values are part of
what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well
as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what
they see as important to how we work.
Our five values are:
Patient-centred
Collaborative
Fair
Accountable
Empowered
All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values
Additionally the following are core values which
relate specifically to this post:
Comply with
Trust and departmental policies and procedures
Maintain strict
confidentiality in accordance with Trust policies
Is compassionate
and ethical in their involvement with the provision of dietetic care
Demonstrate a
commitment to personal development
WEST
YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF ACUTE TRUSTS (WYAAT)
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS
Trust is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a
collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate
working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.
By bringing together the wide
range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are
working differently, innovating and driving forward change to deliver the highest
quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is
your opportunity to be a part of that change.
WYAAT
is the acute sector arm of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care
Partnership, one of the largest integrated care systems in the country. The
Partnerships ambition is for everyone to have the best possible health and
wellbeing, and the work of WYAAT, and each individual trust, supports that
ambition
CORE BEHAVIOURS
AND SKILLS
The post holder
will be expected to:
Be
self-motivated, confident and enthusiastic with a professional attitude
Be a good team
player, with the ability to work flexibly in a diverse and demanding
environment to meet the evolving needs of the department
Communicate
sensitively and effectively with patients, families and carers, colleagues and
all other healthcare professionals
Be professional
in appearance and conduct
Demonstrate a
willingness to undergo all training requirements necessary for the post
Demonstrate good
office practice in accordance with departmental policies and procedures
Proactively
participate in departmental development projects meetings clinical updates and
audits.
Have a mature,
pleasant, helpful and friendly nature
Demonstrate the
ability to communicate with empathy and understanding
CORE KNOWLEDGE
AND UNDERSTANDING
Understanding of
Nutrition &Dietetics
Awareness of
Health & Safety
Diversity
Awareness
Understanding of
Safeguarding requirements
Understanding of
legislation, guidelines and protocols that affect the clinical area
Awareness of the
functional effects of the patient group in the clinical area caused by illness
and / or disability
9. PRINCIPAL
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Assist in the nutritional assessment and monitoring of
dietetic patients by visiting specific wards and telephoning patients. This may
involve the following:
Measure and / or record patients weight and / or their
height in the dietetic record charts
Record nutritional intake from food record charts and
dietary supplement usage in liaison with patients, carers or ward staff
Retrieve and record biochemical results from either the
medical notes or the computer system
Liaise with designated in-patients on a therapeutic diet
to ascertain food preferences and advise on suitable coded choices
Assess individual patients compliance and consumption of
prescribed dietary supplements / enteral feeds
Liaise with pharmacy/wards to ensure that special feeds/
supplements reach the designated patients
Provide information and advice to patients and carers on
the use of enteral feeding equipment prior to discharge from hospital
Liaise with home enteral feeding companies and complete
relevant paperwork to register new patients on to their system
Amend existing patients deliveries under dietetic
guidance
Liaise with other health care professionals in areas
outside L:eeds if patients require registering with home enteral feeding
companies
Assist with the telephone liaison with Home Enteral
Feeding Company Nurses regarding training and visits for home enteral feed
patients
Ensure that appropriate supply of supplements have been
supplied to patient prior to their discharge
Fax patient letters / prescription requests to GP
surgeries, district nurses etc and telephone to confirm receipt
Liaise with other health care professionals such as
district nurses or homecare nurses on behalf of the dietitians
Work within an agreed framework for dealing with routine
and urgent problems. Enquires encountered by home enteral feed patients (for
example chasing deliveries, organising extra ancillary items etc)
Using computerised dietary analysis software E.G.
Microdiet and dietitian acquired information, report on the adequacy of the
nutritional intake of identified patients
Provide support and cover for dietetic administration duties
and dietetic out-patient clinic management as required
Ensure that all the product information is accurate and
up-to-date within the department
Advise the dietitians and carers on up to date
nutritional product information
Support the dieitians with student and /or ward training
Assist with on-going departmental audits
Participate in the appraisal process as an appraise and
demonstrate a commitment to continuous personal development
Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade as
requested. Agreed with the line manager
Health and Safety/Risk Management
All staff are responsible for working with their colleagues to maintain
and improve the quality of services provided to our patients and other service
users. This includes complying at all times
with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Policies, including Health and
Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures, and
reporting incidents using the Trust Incident Reporting system.
Infection Control
The jobholder must comply at all times with the Leeds
Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Infection Control policies, in particular by
practising Universal Infection Control Precautions. Hand hygiene must be
performed before and after contact with patients and their environment.
Equality and Diversity
The jobholder
must comply with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of
employment and that services are delivered in ways that meet the individual
needs of patients and their families. No
person whether they are staff, patient or visitor should receive less
favourable treatment because of their gender, ethnic origin, age, disability,
sexual orientation, religion etc.
Patient and Public Involvement
The Trust has a statutory duty to involve patients and
public in evaluating and planning services.
All staff have a responsibility to listen to the views of patients and
to contribute to service improvements based on patient feedback.
Training and Personal Development Continuous
Professional Development
The jobholder must take responsibility in agreement with
his/her line manager for his/her own personal development by ensuring that
Continuous Professional Development remains a priority. The jobholder will undertake all mandatory
training required for the role.
Respect for Patient Confidentiality
The jobholder should respect patient confidentiality at
all times and not divulge patient information unless sanctioned by the
requirements of the role.
COMMUNICATION
& WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder must be able to contribute effectively to
work undertaken as part of a multi-disciplinary team
The post holder must be able to understand the need for
effective communication using skills which overcome barriers to understanding
throughout the care of the patient
The post holder must be able to work where appropriate in
partnership with other professionals
The post holder must demonstrate effective and
appropriate skills in communication information, advice, instruction to
colleagues, patient and their relatives and carers
The post holders will have regular contact with the
following and must be able to communicate effectively.
