Job summary
Band 6 Specialist Neuroscience Dietitian
0.8 WTE
Temporary - 9 months
An opportunity has arise for a temporary position and we need a suitably experienced dietitian with a strong interest in neurosciences to join our specialist multi-disciplinary team.
The Walton Centre is the UK's only standalone neurosciences NHS Trust, delivering a range of specialist neurological and pain services to a population of 3.5 million people across Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire, the Isle of Man and North Wales. The Trust has once again been rated as Outstanding by the CQC and continues to be recognised as a world class employer, receiving the Investors in People Gold Standard and Investors in People Health and Wellbeing awards.
The Walton Centre Therapy service offers excellent opportunities for ambitious dietitians who strive for professional excellence and who wish to develop their knowledge and skills within the field of neurosciences.
For further information please contact Laura Davidson or Denise O'Dwyer, Dietetic Team Leads or Amy Carter, Principal Dietitian on 0151 556 3865.
Main duties of the job
This position will provide cover across a range of inpatient specialities including critical care, neurology, neurosurgery and neurological rehabilitation.
The successful candidate will have gained comprehensive and varied post-graduate experience within a relevant clinical setting. The ability to independently undertake clinical dietetic assessments and formulate evidence-based care plans for hospital inpatients with complex needs is essential. You will have excellent organisational skills, be an effective team player and have a flexible approach to service delivery.
You will have a strong commitment to CPD and you will be supported by senior dietitians through regular clinical supervision and progression via our in-house development programme and competency framework.
About us
The Walton Centre
NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for the
Investors in People we invest in people and we invest in wellbeing
standards and has been awarded Gold status for both. The
Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and
neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything
we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing
comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services we
are proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission
(CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originally
formed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.
With
around 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and
18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incredibly
dedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal and
neurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site in
Fazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating
injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and
muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-term
neurological conditions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- To contribute to the delivery of nutrition and dietetic service across The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust.
- To assess and treat defined caseload of patients and maintain accurate records.
- To contribute to policy and service development with support of advanced dietitians on matters relating to nutrition and dietetics.
Clinical Responsibilities
1. To undertake nutritional assessments and calculate nutritional requirements of referred in-patients taking into account medical, social and cultural factors (HWB2 level 3)
2. To provide clinical leadership in service provision to more complex clinical areas with support from advanced dietitians (KSF Dimension 4 level 3)
3. To provide nutrition and dietary advice suitable for the patients medical, social and cultural factors which is evidence-based (KSF Dimension 1 level 3)
4. To negotiate change with patients to enable them to achieve dietary targets set (KSF Dimensions HWB 4 level 3)
5. To monitor and review nutritional care plans against outcome measures and adjust care plan to facilitate achievement of goals (HWB 2 level 3)
6. To undertake consultations independently for patients with neurological and neurosurgical conditions in a number of acute clinical settings including critical care, step-down and rehabilitation wards. (KSF Dimension 1 level 3)
7. To develop a range of educational resources for defined clinical area which have a clear evidence-base and which are acceptable to users of the service and their carers (KSF Dimension 4 level 3)
8. To accurately record all assessments and interventions in medical notes, nursing documentation and dietetic record cards in line with Trust policy. To communicate in writing with other agencies, e.g. GPs, community dietitians about patient care (KSF Dimension 1, level 3)
9. To ensure safe and timely discharge of patients on home enteral feeding liaising with appropriate internal and external agencies (KSF Dimension 5 level 3)
10. To advise pharmacy and senior dietitians regarding stock levels of nutritional products at ward level (KSF Dimension 1 level 3)
11. To communicate and liaise with other agencies appropriately, e.g. members of the MDT, catering, pharmacy, community dietitians (KSF Dimension 1 level 3)
12. To record and submit clinical and professional activity using manual and electronic means according to departmental standards (KSF Dimension 1 level 3)
13. Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others (KSF Dimension 3 level 2)
14. To act in ways which support equality and diversity (KSF Dimension 6 level 2)
Clinical Governance
- To comply with health and safety policies of the Trust including undertaking the Walton Centre annual mandatory training.
- To contribute to and comment on departmental policies, diet sheets and matters relating to nutrition and dietetics and contribute to patient safety through clinical incident reporting.
- To undertake audit projects to monitor and evaluate clinical practice within the department
- To contribute to the Trust and Department Clinical Governance agenda by attending Clinical Governance meetings, engaging in CPD and departmental appraisal system
- To comply with the British Dietetic Association standards and code of professional conduct and adhere to the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) requirements for professional practice and registration
Training and Development
- To deliver formal and informal training to other health care professionals and staff groups, to include pre and post registration training for nurses
- To contribute to study days relating to nutrition and dietetics
- To contribute to training of pre-registration dietetic students including programme planning, development and evaluation of the assessment process
- To keep up to-date with current evidence based practice and maintain own professional portfolio as per HCPC requirements.
- To participate in own supervision and appraisal and take responsibility for ensuring continuation of the process.
- Maintain professional links with relevant professional and charitable bodies at local and national level through organization of and attendance at relevant meetings/conferences
- Develop educational resources, which are evidence based and acceptable to patients and carers.
Managerial & Leadership
- To attend and contribute to working parties and department meetings on common issues such as student training, catering, documentation and audit
- To assist in the clinical supervision of student dietitians during weeks of responsibility
- To provide support and supervision for graduate dietitians and contribute to their appraisals
- To lead service development in designated clinical area with support from advanced dietitians
- To actively participate in the professional development programme for dietetics and the wider therapy department
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
- To contribute to the delivery of nutrition and dietetic service across The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust.
- To assess and treat defined caseload of patients and maintain accurate records.
- To contribute to policy and service development with support of advanced dietitians on matters relating to nutrition and dietetics.
Clinical Responsibilities
1. To undertake nutritional assessments and calculate nutritional requirements of referred in-patients taking into account medical, social and cultural factors (HWB2 level 3)
2. To provide clinical leadership in service provision to more complex clinical areas with support from advanced dietitians (KSF Dimension 4 level 3)
3. To provide nutrition and dietary advice suitable for the patients medical, social and cultural factors which is evidence-based (KSF Dimension 1 level 3)
4. To negotiate change with patients to enable them to achieve dietary targets set (KSF Dimensions HWB 4 level 3)
5. To monitor and review nutritional care plans against outcome measures and adjust care plan to facilitate achievement of goals (HWB 2 level 3)
6. To undertake consultations independently for patients with neurological and neurosurgical conditions in a number of acute clinical settings including critical care, step-down and rehabilitation wards. (KSF Dimension 1 level 3)
7. To develop a range of educational resources for defined clinical area which have a clear evidence-base and which are acceptable to users of the service and their carers (KSF Dimension 4 level 3)
8. To accurately record all assessments and interventions in medical notes, nursing documentation and dietetic record cards in line with Trust policy. To communicate in writing with other agencies, e.g. GPs, community dietitians about patient care (KSF Dimension 1, level 3)
9. To ensure safe and timely discharge of patients on home enteral feeding liaising with appropriate internal and external agencies (KSF Dimension 5 level 3)
10. To advise pharmacy and senior dietitians regarding stock levels of nutritional products at ward level (KSF Dimension 1 level 3)
11. To communicate and liaise with other agencies appropriately, e.g. members of the MDT, catering, pharmacy, community dietitians (KSF Dimension 1 level 3)
12. To record and submit clinical and professional activity using manual and electronic means according to departmental standards (KSF Dimension 1 level 3)
13. Monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others (KSF Dimension 3 level 2)
14. To act in ways which support equality and diversity (KSF Dimension 6 level 2)
Clinical Governance
- To comply with health and safety policies of the Trust including undertaking the Walton Centre annual mandatory training.
- To contribute to and comment on departmental policies, diet sheets and matters relating to nutrition and dietetics and contribute to patient safety through clinical incident reporting.
- To undertake audit projects to monitor and evaluate clinical practice within the department
- To contribute to the Trust and Department Clinical Governance agenda by attending Clinical Governance meetings, engaging in CPD and departmental appraisal system
- To comply with the British Dietetic Association standards and code of professional conduct and adhere to the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) requirements for professional practice and registration
Training and Development
- To deliver formal and informal training to other health care professionals and staff groups, to include pre and post registration training for nurses
- To contribute to study days relating to nutrition and dietetics
- To contribute to training of pre-registration dietetic students including programme planning, development and evaluation of the assessment process
- To keep up to-date with current evidence based practice and maintain own professional portfolio as per HCPC requirements.
- To participate in own supervision and appraisal and take responsibility for ensuring continuation of the process.
- Maintain professional links with relevant professional and charitable bodies at local and national level through organization of and attendance at relevant meetings/conferences
- Develop educational resources, which are evidence based and acceptable to patients and carers.
Managerial & Leadership
- To attend and contribute to working parties and department meetings on common issues such as student training, catering, documentation and audit
- To assist in the clinical supervision of student dietitians during weeks of responsibility
- To provide support and supervision for graduate dietitians and contribute to their appraisals
- To lead service development in designated clinical area with support from advanced dietitians
- To actively participate in the professional development programme for dietetics and the wider therapy department
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
- HCPC registration.
- Member of the British Dietetic Association.
- Experience of pre-registration dietetic student training
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Evidence of varied post-registration clinical experience within the acute care setting
- Ability to independently undertake nutritional assessments for hospital inpatients
- Competent to develop evidence-based nutritional care plans for hospital inpatients
- Experience of working as part of a wider MDT within clinical areas and representing dietetics at meetings and during ward rounds
- Able to calculate nutritional requirements for a range of treatment approaches including oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition
- Experience of the dietetic management of critically ill patients and/or those requiring TPN
- Ability to plan and prioritise a busy clinical caseload within the acute setting
- Ability to develop educational and informative resources to meet the needs of patients and carers that are evidence-based
- Skills to train other healthcare professionals and student dietitians
- Ability to undertake clinical audit and service evaluation projects
Desirable
- Experience of the dietetic management of hospital inpatients with neurological conditions
- Good understanding of the role of the dietitian in rehabilitation
General
Essential
- To have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly at all levels to patients, carers and members of the MDT
- Ability to complete allocated work to agreed deadlines and to an acceptable standard
- Able to use basic IT systems; Word, Excel, Outlook as well as to record and submit activity data
- Strong presentation skills
- Ability to maintain accurate clinical records in line with both national and local standards for record keeping
- Strong organisational skills
- A positive attitude to change and flexible working practices to meet changing service demands
- Awareness of regulatory bodies (HCPC) and professional bodies (BDA), code of practice and professional guidelines
- Commitment to take part in CPD and departmental appraisal system
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
- HCPC registration.
- Member of the British Dietetic Association.
- Experience of pre-registration dietetic student training
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Evidence of varied post-registration clinical experience within the acute care setting
- Ability to independently undertake nutritional assessments for hospital inpatients
- Competent to develop evidence-based nutritional care plans for hospital inpatients
- Experience of working as part of a wider MDT within clinical areas and representing dietetics at meetings and during ward rounds
- Able to calculate nutritional requirements for a range of treatment approaches including oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition
- Experience of the dietetic management of critically ill patients and/or those requiring TPN
- Ability to plan and prioritise a busy clinical caseload within the acute setting
- Ability to develop educational and informative resources to meet the needs of patients and carers that are evidence-based
- Skills to train other healthcare professionals and student dietitians
- Ability to undertake clinical audit and service evaluation projects
Desirable
- Experience of the dietetic management of hospital inpatients with neurological conditions
- Good understanding of the role of the dietitian in rehabilitation
General
Essential
- To have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly at all levels to patients, carers and members of the MDT
- Ability to complete allocated work to agreed deadlines and to an acceptable standard
- Able to use basic IT systems; Word, Excel, Outlook as well as to record and submit activity data
- Strong presentation skills
- Ability to maintain accurate clinical records in line with both national and local standards for record keeping
- Strong organisational skills
- A positive attitude to change and flexible working practices to meet changing service demands
- Awareness of regulatory bodies (HCPC) and professional bodies (BDA), code of practice and professional guidelines
- Commitment to take part in CPD and departmental appraisal system
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
