Dietitian job description [adult / paediatric]

Dietitian job description

12. Request blood tests for patients at risk of refeeding syndrome as per practice protocol
13. Provide a specialist, evidence based dietetic service to patients
14. Act as a main and first point of contact for patients and their carers and hospital staff on all aspects of nutrition.
15. Act as an expert resource to other health professionals, within and outside the trust, requiring specialist advice in nutrition
16. Advise nursing, medical and other health care staff on the most appropriate route of nutrition support.
17. Deal with unexpected situations on a daily basis and have the ability to prioritise workload in response to unpredictable working pattern
18. Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patient caseload working autonomously.
19. Decide priorities for own work area balancing other patient-related and professional demands.
20. Liaise with carers, nurses, GPs, dietetic colleagues and other relevant health and social care staff and agencies over the transfer/discharge of patients including those who are enterally tube fed .
21. Contribute to operational and strategic planning of the dietetic service.
22. Regularly use equipment such as scales and enteral feeding equipment.
23. Carry hospital bleep during working hours. Respond to calls within 3 minutes.
24. Work with other health professionals to plan and facilitate smooth discharge of patients.
25. Advise and liaise with catering staff concerning the dietary needs for inpatients and to assist in instructing chefs on preparation of special meals as required. To liaise with the on site catering manager where necessary.
26. Providing dietetic advice to the multidisciplinary teams through attendance and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings.
27. Manage own patient caseload with minimal supervision with access to guidance and support from senior team member if required.
28. Provide specialist treatment plans to patients.
29. Keep accurate written records of clinical interventions, the advice given and the outcome of decisions taken for all patient contacts as per professional code of conduct and trust and department guidelines
30. Record and submit clinical activity data using electronic means according to department procedures.
31. Maintain Continuing Professional Development and contribute to the continuing professional development of the department
32. Practice clinical excellence by carrying out evidence based practice and the development of standards, policies and guidelines within this area of work
33. Follow and respond to national recommendations and local policies and adapt practice and advice accordingly
34. Research, develop and write relevant literature for patients, carers and trained professionals
35. Report regularly to the team leader and chief dietitian on affairs relating to the job role.
36. Audit an aspect of the service each year.
37. Be proficient in the use of highly complex dietary analysis software (Diet Plan6) and the interpretation of results gained from it
38. Be able to use software packages such as Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Excel and to use the patient management system (semahelix)

Training

1. To participate in the training, assessment and supervision of undergraduate dietitians and other healthcare professionals
2. Develop, deliver and evaluate up-to-date training to health care professionals and catering staff and patients.

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

Degree or postgraduate diploma in dietetics
Evidence of post-registration study
Module 1 and 2 of paediatric dietetics post registration course
Clinical supervisory skills course
Current registration with Health Professions Council

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
At least 12 months post-graduate NHS experience with a range of acute inpatients and outpatient specialities
Experience of working in the nutritional management of patients in this speciality
Experience of multi-disciplinary working
Good and up to date clinical dietetic skills and knowledge
Experience in the clinical training of student dietitians
Formal teaching experience
Experience of undertaking clinical audit

Communication/relationship
Good written, verbal communication and presentation skills with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
Ability to work as a team member
Planning/ organisational
Time management and self-organisational skills
Ability to prioritise own workload
Ability to motivate self and others
Flexible and adaptive
IT
Ability to use nutritional analysis packages
Competent and accurate IT skills using Microsoft office applications:- Word, PowerPoint, Excel; Outlook (e-mail) and Internet

Dietitian job description