Dietetic Assistant Practitioner (Rotational)
To provide general and advanced (clinical & non-clinical) support to the dietetic service for in-patients and out-patients at Derriford Hospital and outlying University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) sites, working under the supervision of senior dietitians.
To enhance the work carried out by dietitians, improving service efficiency, streamlining the provision of nutrition care, and facilitating effective patient discharges.
To undertake other tasks, within the dietetic department, that do not require the expertise of a registered dietitian, as assigned by a supervising dietitian.
To be involved in all Nutrition and Dietetic departmental activities and contribute to the delivery of a Trust wide dietetic service.
Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS at Risk staff throughout Devon who is able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.
Main duties of the job
Key Dimensions:
A. This post is based in the Nutrition and Dietetic Department of Derriford Hospital with a requirement to travel to out-lying UHP sites.
B. To work independently, but under the direction of an HCPC registered dietitian to perform specific tasks for an individual or group of patients.
C. Be responsible for all aspects of own work and demonstrate awareness of own level of responsibility and accountability within the service, and when to seek advice from the dietitians.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengths our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job responsibilities
Primary Duties
1. Be responsible for all aspects of own work and demonstrate awareness of own level of responsibility and accountability within the service, and when to seek advice from the dietitians
2. To work within protocols and competencies specific to this post. To act as first contact in specific situations.
3. Check and support the use of nutritional screening tools. This will involve weighing and measuring patients as well as ongoing staff training.
4. Implementation of nutritional screening care plans, introduction of a fortified diet or oral nutritional supplements and monitoring of compliance.
5. Assist in the collection of relevant data for facilitating care plans such as, referral information, medical summaries, requesting information from GP surgeries/other hospitals etc.
6. Retrieve and record biochemistry results and inform the dietitian of results as appropriate.
7. Undertake patient reviews of selected patients under the supervision of the dietitian. This will include nutritional assessment, information gathering, identifying patient needs, development of nutritional care plans and review of progress at regular intervals.
8. Calculating, documenting and monitoring oral food and fluid intake e.g., food and fluid record charts and discussing nutritional intake with patients and any barriers preventing them from meeting the nutritional care plan goals.
9. Documenting nutritional assessment reviews and all patient contacts in medical and nursing notes.
10. Communication of patient care plans with relevant healthcare professionals and providing feedback to the dietitian. The role will also involve giving advice, assisting patients in making dietary changes and undertaking diet histories.
11. Strict adherence to outcome monitoring as directed by team leaders
12. Act as a dietetic representative at multidisciplinary meetings as required
13. This post may also involve supporting ward staff with restraint of patients requiring enteral feeding under the Mental Health Act.
14. Work flexibly and carry out duties as directed and agreed with the dietitians.
15. Assist the dietitians, and nursing staff with effective discharge planning including facilitating the safe discharge of patients requiring Home Enteral Tube Feeding, and training patients / carers in the use of equipment e.g. feeding pump training.
16. Ordering and management of adequate stock levels of nutritional supplements, dietary booklets and resources.
17. Assist the dietitians with data collection for audit / research projects. This may include clinical data collection to demonstrate outcomes of care, patient satisfaction surveys and audit of screening in the hospital.
18. Be aware of limitations of own knowledge and experience and seek advice and guidance as required.
19. Reinforce advice given to patients/carers by dietitian as requested.
20. Follow up patients by means of telephone and/or face to face reviews.
21. Contribute to departmental and external meetings as delegated by a dietitian.
For further information and detailed responsibilities, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* oFoundation degree or equivalent
* oOr NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in healthcare related subject (evidence of working towards, or able to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and ability to work at this level)
* oGood standard of general education with GCSE A-C/level 5 or above English and Mathematics as a minimum
* oCompetent in English Language with legible handwriting
* oAttendance of additional professional courses.
Knowledge & Experience
* oDemonstrable experience of working in the large clinical setting
* oAbility to undertake relevant departmental training to achieve required clinical competencies
* oDemonstrable experience of working with a wide variety of people
* oAbility to hold face-to-face and/or telephone conversations with patients, carers, and colleagues.
* oAbility to cope with working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers
* oDemonstrable experience of making practical decisions using theoretical knowledge. Experience of being responsible for some decision making
* oDemonstrable experience of working as a Dietetic Assistant
* oDemonstrable experience of working with people requiring specific dietary needs
* oDemonstrable experience of healthcare computer systems
Aptitube & Abilities
* oExcellent communication skills both verbal and written. Able to present information, written and oral, in a clear and logical manner for patient notes and departmental documentation
* oExcellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time, prioritise and plan timed activities
* oAwareness and ability to maintain patient confidentiality
* oAble to respond to unpredictable situations
* oAbility to follow Trust, Department Policies and Guidelines
* oAble to work well within a busy environment
* oAbility to lift feeding equipment/deliver feeding supplies to patients
* oResourceful
* oShow initiative
* oGood proven knowledge of the dietetic care process
* oAbility to work independently and as part of a team.
* oAble to take instruction and direction and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
* oSelf-motivation
* oWilling to undertake further training
* oEmpathetic and approachable and able to deal with emotionally stressful situations
* oInterest in people, food and working in a variety of home environments with patients who may be very unwell
Other factors
* oAbility to work flexibly over 7 days if needed.
* oMaintains a professional appearance
* oAbility to travel to UHP hospital sites across Plymouth and surrounding areas
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.
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