Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen within Nutrition and
Dietetic Services at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust for a motivated individual to join the Dietetic team as Band 4 Dietetic Assistant. The post is ideal for
an individual with an interest in nutrition and health care, especially those
who may want to train as a Dietitian in the future. The Trust covers 3
hospitals: Dewsbury Hospital, Pontefract Hospital and Pinderfields Hospital in
Wakefield, home to the Regional Burns Unit.
The post is full time and permanent, and will be based at either
Pinderfields Hospital or Dewsbury Hospital but with some requirement to work
cross-site as and when required. The main remit of the post will be supporting
the Dietitians in the management of patients both in the hospital and wider
community for adult and/or paediatrics; this will include reviewing patients on
the wards and undertaking telephone reviews for outpatients/telehealth clinics.
The adult caseload will be based around nutritional support and malnutrition;
the paediatric caseload may involve nutritional support; home enteral feeding;
food allergies/intolerance.
The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust is well situated in the
heart of West Yorkshire, with excellent travel links being located close to the
M1 and M62 motorways and rail networks. The Trust is in close proximity to
Leeds and it's renowned shopping, museums and theatres, as well as being just a
short distance from the Yorkshire Dales.
Main duties of the job
Under the supervision of a registered Dietitian the post holder will be expected:
- To independently carry out assessments as designated by a Dietitian as part of clinical pathways.
- To be responsible for a patient caseload within relevant settings.
- To recognise variances in expected clinical outcomes and to act appropriately by escalating to and seeking guidance from a Dietitian
- To provide support and assistance to the Dietitian in the assessment and treatment of complex patients.
- To promote effective nutrition care plans and best practice in all care settings, by providing education, training and support for healthcare professionals and staff in care agencies
- To make assessments of patients nutritional progress and provide advice as required under the supervision of the Dietitian
When applying for this post it is essential that you read
the job description and person specification. Use the supporting information
space on the application form to demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and
previous experience meet the job description requirements and any clinical
areas you have experience in.
NB this vacancy may close early if a significant number of
applications are received.
About us
We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.
If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.
Application guidance: We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. Its important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To recognise and escalate a deteriorating patient and take initial action where appropriate.
- To ensure children and adults are protected from abuse and avoidable harm and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
- Carry out formal assessments and treatment plans identified on pathway and provide detailed documented and verbal feedback on patients performance
- Communication skills of persuasion, motivation, explanation and gaining informed consent will be used with a variety of patients, occasionally those with emotional, physical and psychological conditions. To understand and overcome barriers to effective communication e.g. loss of hearing, affected perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain, fear and language barriers
- To use a range of verbal and non-verbal skills to establish a professional rapport with patients and encourage their interest and participation in interventions by communicating with them in a way that reflects their views, autonomy and culture.
- To have an understanding of acute conditions, long term conditions and common pathologies and the role of diet and nutrition in treating them
- To undertake visits and/or assessments in a variety of settings as required by the need of the service, including the ward, department, home or other community environment
- To be able to identify own limitations and seek advice from a senior registered practitioner when appropriate.
- Assist in the implementation, evaluation and modification of care plans.
- Work effectively as a member of a team to undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
- To be in line with role specific Band 4 competencies
- To be responsible for planning and prioritising own day-to-day allocated workload and resources
- To work across the whole service to support the needs of the Nutrition and Dietetics service
- To be responsible for maintaining Home Enteral Feeding equipment spreadsheets, advising on resources and checking monthly invoices
- To understand and act appropriately on, written and verbal instruction from a practitioner to carry out specific treatment and interventions.
- To liaise with other agencies e.g. multidisciplinary team and referral to other specialist services as deemed appropriate.
- To be responsible for the recording of up to date, accurate information concerning any intervention in line with Trust guidelines.
- To be proficient in the use of all appropriate electronic systems required to perform role
- To participate in both service and trust development plans.
- To participate in specific projects or departmental working parties as directed by the practitioner
- As a competent practitioner, teach and provide supervision to appropriate staff.
- As part of the team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive working into your own practice
- To participate in team audit and data collection and evaluation activities as agreed and directed
- To support the Dietetic Lead for Diet sheets, including acting as liaison between the dietitians and Print Room
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To recognise and escalate a deteriorating patient and take initial action where appropriate.
- To ensure children and adults are protected from abuse and avoidable harm and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.
- Carry out formal assessments and treatment plans identified on pathway and provide detailed documented and verbal feedback on patients performance
- Communication skills of persuasion, motivation, explanation and gaining informed consent will be used with a variety of patients, occasionally those with emotional, physical and psychological conditions. To understand and overcome barriers to effective communication e.g. loss of hearing, affected perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain, fear and language barriers
- To use a range of verbal and non-verbal skills to establish a professional rapport with patients and encourage their interest and participation in interventions by communicating with them in a way that reflects their views, autonomy and culture.
- To have an understanding of acute conditions, long term conditions and common pathologies and the role of diet and nutrition in treating them
- To undertake visits and/or assessments in a variety of settings as required by the need of the service, including the ward, department, home or other community environment
- To be able to identify own limitations and seek advice from a senior registered practitioner when appropriate.
- Assist in the implementation, evaluation and modification of care plans.
- Work effectively as a member of a team to undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
- To be in line with role specific Band 4 competencies
- To be responsible for planning and prioritising own day-to-day allocated workload and resources
- To work across the whole service to support the needs of the Nutrition and Dietetics service
- To be responsible for maintaining Home Enteral Feeding equipment spreadsheets, advising on resources and checking monthly invoices
- To understand and act appropriately on, written and verbal instruction from a practitioner to carry out specific treatment and interventions.
- To liaise with other agencies e.g. multidisciplinary team and referral to other specialist services as deemed appropriate.
- To be responsible for the recording of up to date, accurate information concerning any intervention in line with Trust guidelines.
- To be proficient in the use of all appropriate electronic systems required to perform role
- To participate in both service and trust development plans.
- To participate in specific projects or departmental working parties as directed by the practitioner
- As a competent practitioner, teach and provide supervision to appropriate staff.
- As part of the team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive working into your own practice
- To participate in team audit and data collection and evaluation activities as agreed and directed
- To support the Dietetic Lead for Diet sheets, including acting as liaison between the dietitians and Print Room
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a care environment or with relevant service groups
- Experience of working with and supporting people to make changes in order to influence their health
- Experience of working with specialist clinical areas
- Previous extensive experience as a dietetic assistant/ support worker in a hospital setting
- Previous experience working in a Multidisciplinary team in health, social care or education
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within an acute hospital environment
- Experience of working with a mixed caseload of patients/clients with various needs and challenges
- Awareness of healthcare nutrition needs of a hospital population
- Experience of working with groups
- Experiencing of delivering training
- Basic counselling skills
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Confident, Caring and Empathetic
- Self motivated
- Flexible adaptive and creative
- Able to respond to unpredictable work patterns and frequent interruptions
- Able to set priorities
- Able to reflect and appraise own performance
- Able to maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
- Able to organise information
- Effective team worker
- Demonstrates professional demeanour at all times
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 or diploma or A levels (including science), or equivalent experience (previous HCA or therapy/dietetic support worker)
- Willing to complete core training programme for Dietetic Assistants.
- GCSE level English and Maths or equivalent
Desirable
- Basic food hygiene certificate
- Certificate of Higher Education in Nutritional Health
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the client group and evidence of related training
- Previous competency based training in a relevant field
- An understanding of the needs and issues concerning illness and disability and the effect on nutritional intake
- An ability to work on own and make appropriate decisions, seeking help appropriately particularly in unforeseen circumstances.
- An understanding of the issues when working in service users own homes if appropriate: Lone working awareness
- Health and Safety awareness
Desirable
- Understanding & knowledge of specialist dietetic equipment
- Understanding of wider interagency issues
- Demonstrate a knowledge of current food and nutrition issues
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Effective oral communication skills with individual patients using verbal and non verbal communication skills.
- Effective communication skills with Consultants, GPs, nursing staff, carers and relatives
- Evidence of professional development, commitment to lifelong learning
- Accurate basic keyboard skills data inputting, word processing, internet and dietary analysis
- Accurate anthropometrical measurement skills
- Goal setting and negotiating skills
- Evaluation and audit skills
- Ability to produce effective evidence based resources
- Good presentation skills and ability to work with individuals and groups
- Able to work on own initiative within competency base, planning and prioritising own workload and that of supervisees.
- Knowledge of the effect of nutrition on the health and wellbeing of patients in acute care.
- Demonstrates positive attitudes and behaviours
- Able to work independently with service users without direct supervision
- Problem solving/decision making skills based on patients needs
- Ability to deal sensitively with distressing, emotional situations
- Ability to relate to others and adapt approach accordingly
- Able to motivate others
- Awareness of cultural issues and valuing diversity
Desirable
- Ability to cope with distressing situations.
- Awareness of standards of record keeping.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a care environment or with relevant service groups
- Experience of working with and supporting people to make changes in order to influence their health
- Experience of working with specialist clinical areas
- Previous extensive experience as a dietetic assistant/ support worker in a hospital setting
- Previous experience working in a Multidisciplinary team in health, social care or education
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within an acute hospital environment
- Experience of working with a mixed caseload of patients/clients with various needs and challenges
- Awareness of healthcare nutrition needs of a hospital population
- Experience of working with groups
- Experiencing of delivering training
- Basic counselling skills
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Confident, Caring and Empathetic
- Self motivated
- Flexible adaptive and creative
- Able to respond to unpredictable work patterns and frequent interruptions
- Able to set priorities
- Able to reflect and appraise own performance
- Able to maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
- Able to organise information
- Effective team worker
- Demonstrates professional demeanour at all times
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ level 3 or diploma or A levels (including science), or equivalent experience (previous HCA or therapy/dietetic support worker)
- Willing to complete core training programme for Dietetic Assistants.
- GCSE level English and Maths or equivalent
Desirable
- Basic food hygiene certificate
- Certificate of Higher Education in Nutritional Health
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the client group and evidence of related training
- Previous competency based training in a relevant field
- An understanding of the needs and issues concerning illness and disability and the effect on nutritional intake
- An ability to work on own and make appropriate decisions, seeking help appropriately particularly in unforeseen circumstances.
- An understanding of the issues when working in service users own homes if appropriate: Lone working awareness
- Health and Safety awareness
Desirable
- Understanding & knowledge of specialist dietetic equipment
- Understanding of wider interagency issues
- Demonstrate a knowledge of current food and nutrition issues
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Effective oral communication skills with individual patients using verbal and non verbal communication skills.
- Effective communication skills with Consultants, GPs, nursing staff, carers and relatives
- Evidence of professional development, commitment to lifelong learning
- Accurate basic keyboard skills data inputting, word processing, internet and dietary analysis
- Accurate anthropometrical measurement skills
- Goal setting and negotiating skills
- Evaluation and audit skills
- Ability to produce effective evidence based resources
- Good presentation skills and ability to work with individuals and groups
- Able to work on own initiative within competency base, planning and prioritising own workload and that of supervisees.
- Knowledge of the effect of nutrition on the health and wellbeing of patients in acute care.
- Demonstrates positive attitudes and behaviours
- Able to work independently with service users without direct supervision
- Problem solving/decision making skills based on patients needs
- Ability to deal sensitively with distressing, emotional situations
- Ability to relate to others and adapt approach accordingly
- Able to motivate others
- Awareness of cultural issues and valuing diversity
Desirable
- Ability to cope with distressing situations.
- Awareness of standards of record keeping.
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
