Job summary
The substantive 0.8 wte Band 8a post provides highly specialist dietitian input for gastroenterology and Hepatology patients under specialist medicine. The care is provided in the outpatient setting allow for highly complex patient dietetic care to remain in the community
This post requires strong specialist medicine knowledge and experience of lone working in the outpatient setting to provide expert levels of care to patients at high risk of hospital admission and deterioration and managing high nutritional risk in the outpatient setting.
The post holder will have clinical autonomy for seeing patients with complex gastrointestinal and Hepatic conditions. Their input will be considered expert enough that they can be utilised as the second appointment person, thus reducing Physician follow-up rates and waiting times.
The planning and management of medical gastroenterology outpatient and inpatient services, including identifying opportunities for service development, and the delivery of projects that will ensure the most efficient use of capacity and optimal performance management.
Main duties of the job
Practice autonomously, providing high quality clinical practice by using enhanced clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis and treatment
Be proactive in clinical decision making underpinned by an enhanced level of theoretical and practical knowledge
Undertake specialist holistic nutritional assessments incl. the calculation of nutritional requirements on the interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometry, clinical condition and other physical parameters in those with complex needs
Provide expert dietetic advice to the MDT, through attendance and participation in MDT meetings and ward rounds.
Be responsible for the training of more junior dietitians working within the therapies dietetic depart including regular CPD provision
Develop and provide teaching on the Medicine and Physician Associate(MBBS5 and MBBS4) programmes
Regularly undertake audit and service evaluation to inform service improvement and disseminate evidence based practice and audit findings through local presentation to professional groups
Actively participate in the departmental working groups to improve dietetic services as required
Maintain up to date skills and knowledge
Where appropriate, educate others in the healthcare team of the nutritional management of the specialist area including teaching for medical, nursing, therapies and community staff
Participate in the training, supervision and assessment of pre-registration student dietitians
About us
Improve clinical outcomes based on monthly reports on patients admitted via the admissions ward.
Foster effective working relationships with MDT colleagues in the acute/ community.
Ensure effective collaboration with other MDT colleagues in the review of patients with high acuity.
Ensure patients are nutritionally optimised prior to reduce admission risk
Reduce the cost of malnutrition/ length of stay with earlier identification of nutritional anomalies.
In partnership with the expansion of inpatient gastroenterology, hepatology services, intestinal rehabilitation team and GI surgical teams, the post-holder will also be expected to work with the existing inpatient, surgical and intestinal rehabilitation dietetic therapies team to deliver a model with more unified inpatient and outpatient services. This is in alignment with the department vision to deliver a single digestive disease department integrating relevant medical and surgical divisions and bridge inpatient and outpatient services.
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties/Key Results Areas:
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Practice autonomously, providing high quality clinical practice in specialist area.
Be proactive in clinical decision making underpinned by an enhanced level of theoretical and practical knowledge.
Use enhanced clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge of service users in specialist area.
Undertake specialist holistic nutritional assessments including the calculation of nutritional requirements on the interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometry, clinical condition and other physical parameters in those with complex needs.
To be experienced in the use of anthropometric equipment for assessment of nutritional status, such as bioelectrical impedance, callipers and hand grip dynamometer and interpretation of results.
To develop a suitable dietetic treatment plan based on evidence based practice and provide advanced nutritional advice to service users, in collaboration with their carers, where needs are complex. This involves the interpretation and communication of complex and sensitive information in an understandable form.
Where appropriate, to advise and liaise with the catering staff concerning the dietary needs for service users and to assist in instructing chefs on preparation of special meals as required. To adapt and analyse the menu cycle to ensure suitability for the service users and make recommendations to the site Catering Manager.
Demonstrate a level of knowledge in relation to pattern of disease or disorder, marker of condition progression and range of treatment available at each stage of disorder or condition.
To provide expert dietetic advice to the multidisciplinary team, through attendance and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings and ward rounds.
To recommend and advise on the prescription of suitable cost effective ACBS products including oral nutritional supplements, enteral feeding products and gluten free products to service users within speciality , in line with SW London Alliance prescribing guidelines.
To be responsible for ensuring written and electronic patient records are completed for all patient contacts including statistical activity data records in accordance with professional, departmental and trust standards.
The ability to manage distressing situations, involving the treatment of terminally ill and very unwell patients. This results in exposures to complex situations and distressed clients and their relatives / carers.
To ensure flexible service delivery and provide clinical cover for colleagues during periods of absence.
LEADERSHIP
To participate in the recruitment and selection of Dietetic assistants and Band 7,6,and 5 dietitians, according to trust policy.
To jointly lead on student placement allocations
To monitor Key Performance Indicators and provide data for reports for specialist service where applicable.
To develop new pathways to reduce waiting times for specialist services in gastroenterology. E.g. Dietitian led IBS clinics.
EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE AND RESEARCH
- Regularly undertake audit and service evaluation to inform service improvement.
- Critically analyse research findings and their implications for practice.
- Disseminate evidence based practice and audit findings through local presentation to professional groups.
- Review recent publications and research to ensure practice is evidence based and up to date.
- To research, develop, produce and publish evidence-based departmental literature in the area of specialisation, including use of patient forums, in line with British Dietetic Association guidelines and those of other relevant expert organisations.
- To actively participate in the departmental working groups to improve dietetic services as required.
FACILITATED LEARNING
- Maintain up to date skills and knowledge relevant to role and specialist area by engaging in a range of relevant learning and development activities.
- Educate and supervise band 5 dietetic colleagues on the competencies needed for their area.
- Where appropriate, to educate others in the healthcare team of the nutritional management of the specialist area including teaching for medical, nursing, therapies and community staff within the trust.
- Where appropriate to deliver education sessions to patients and their carers and to evaluate their effectiveness.
- To review and develop dietary information and education materials in the area of speciality, based on evidence based practice.
- To participate in the training, supervision and assessment of pre-registration student dietitians.
- Advocate and contribute to continuous learning and development, evidence based practice and succession planning.
- Contribute to a range of audit and evaluation strategies which informs education and learning.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Main Duties/Key Results Areas:
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Practice autonomously, providing high quality clinical practice in specialist area.
Be proactive in clinical decision making underpinned by an enhanced level of theoretical and practical knowledge.
Use enhanced clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge of service users in specialist area.
Undertake specialist holistic nutritional assessments including the calculation of nutritional requirements on the interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometry, clinical condition and other physical parameters in those with complex needs.
To be experienced in the use of anthropometric equipment for assessment of nutritional status, such as bioelectrical impedance, callipers and hand grip dynamometer and interpretation of results.
To develop a suitable dietetic treatment plan based on evidence based practice and provide advanced nutritional advice to service users, in collaboration with their carers, where needs are complex. This involves the interpretation and communication of complex and sensitive information in an understandable form.
Where appropriate, to advise and liaise with the catering staff concerning the dietary needs for service users and to assist in instructing chefs on preparation of special meals as required. To adapt and analyse the menu cycle to ensure suitability for the service users and make recommendations to the site Catering Manager.
Demonstrate a level of knowledge in relation to pattern of disease or disorder, marker of condition progression and range of treatment available at each stage of disorder or condition.
To provide expert dietetic advice to the multidisciplinary team, through attendance and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings and ward rounds.
To recommend and advise on the prescription of suitable cost effective ACBS products including oral nutritional supplements, enteral feeding products and gluten free products to service users within speciality , in line with SW London Alliance prescribing guidelines.
To be responsible for ensuring written and electronic patient records are completed for all patient contacts including statistical activity data records in accordance with professional, departmental and trust standards.
The ability to manage distressing situations, involving the treatment of terminally ill and very unwell patients. This results in exposures to complex situations and distressed clients and their relatives / carers.
To ensure flexible service delivery and provide clinical cover for colleagues during periods of absence.
LEADERSHIP
To participate in the recruitment and selection of Dietetic assistants and Band 7,6,and 5 dietitians, according to trust policy.
To jointly lead on student placement allocations
To monitor Key Performance Indicators and provide data for reports for specialist service where applicable.
To develop new pathways to reduce waiting times for specialist services in gastroenterology. E.g. Dietitian led IBS clinics.
EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE AND RESEARCH
- Regularly undertake audit and service evaluation to inform service improvement.
- Critically analyse research findings and their implications for practice.
- Disseminate evidence based practice and audit findings through local presentation to professional groups.
- Review recent publications and research to ensure practice is evidence based and up to date.
- To research, develop, produce and publish evidence-based departmental literature in the area of specialisation, including use of patient forums, in line with British Dietetic Association guidelines and those of other relevant expert organisations.
- To actively participate in the departmental working groups to improve dietetic services as required.
FACILITATED LEARNING
- Maintain up to date skills and knowledge relevant to role and specialist area by engaging in a range of relevant learning and development activities.
- Educate and supervise band 5 dietetic colleagues on the competencies needed for their area.
- Where appropriate, to educate others in the healthcare team of the nutritional management of the specialist area including teaching for medical, nursing, therapies and community staff within the trust.
- Where appropriate to deliver education sessions to patients and their carers and to evaluate their effectiveness.
- To review and develop dietary information and education materials in the area of speciality, based on evidence based practice.
- To participate in the training, supervision and assessment of pre-registration student dietitians.
- Advocate and contribute to continuous learning and development, evidence based practice and succession planning.
- Contribute to a range of audit and evaluation strategies which informs education and learning.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- BSc / Post graduate diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics
- HCPC current registration
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Postgraduate training in speciality clinical area e.g gastroenterology and Hepatology
Desirable
- Membership of BDA and relevant specialist group
Experience
Essential
- Postgraduate experience of working in acute and/or community dietetic services at advanced level
- Significant clinical experience of working in gastroenterology and hepatology
- Experience of undertaking clinical audit/research in relevant clinical area
- Experience in the clinical supervision of students/junior staff
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience in teaching and education to patient groups and healthcare professionals in relevant clinical area
Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
- Excellent IT skills
- Motivation and behavioural change skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Working at Masters level or equivalent in speciality area
- Knowledge of dietetics within the NHS
Other
Essential
- Able to respond to unpredictable work patterns and frequent interruptions
- Able to maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
- Membership of British Dietetic Association or other body conferring professional indemnity insurance
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- BSc / Post graduate diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics
- HCPC current registration
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Postgraduate training in speciality clinical area e.g gastroenterology and Hepatology
Desirable
- Membership of BDA and relevant specialist group
Experience
Essential
- Postgraduate experience of working in acute and/or community dietetic services at advanced level
- Significant clinical experience of working in gastroenterology and hepatology
- Experience of undertaking clinical audit/research in relevant clinical area
- Experience in the clinical supervision of students/junior staff
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience in teaching and education to patient groups and healthcare professionals in relevant clinical area
Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
- Excellent IT skills
- Motivation and behavioural change skills
Knowledge
Essential
- Working at Masters level or equivalent in speciality area
- Knowledge of dietetics within the NHS
Other
Essential
- Able to respond to unpredictable work patterns and frequent interruptions
- Able to maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders
- Membership of British Dietetic Association or other body conferring professional indemnity insurance
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).
