Dietetic Assistant (XR03)

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE

To provide clinical and administrative support to dietitians working with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The post holder works independently, but all patient related work is directed by a dietitian and conducted according to policies and procedures.

3. JOB DIMENSIONS

Assists the dietitians in the provision of clinical advice to patients and carers

Assists the dietitians in delivering teaching and education to patients and care providers

Assists the dietitians in the provision of in-service training to healthcare staff and dietetic students

Liaises with pharmacists in the control of ward stock levels of nutritional / dietary products

This role requires the individual to show initiative in assisting and supporting dietetic staff

Be an active member of the Dietetic out of hours service as required under the supervision of a dietitian.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential

Level 3 qualification in relevant health / social care related subject

GCSE English and Maths grade C minimum or Functional skills equivalent

Communication skills - written, verbal and numeracy

Interpersonal skills

Ability to work as part of a team (Dietetic and MDT)

Problem solving

Time management

Organisational skills

Show initiative

Adaptable

Demonstrate continued professional and personal development

Maintain confidentiality

Experience of working in a Health care, education or Social Care setting as a carer or similar

Demonstrate an awareness of Equality and Diversity

Demonstrate understanding of Nutrition and Dietetics

Desirable

Previous experience in a healthcare setting

Advanced knowledge of information technology systems

Completion of the CARE certificate. Otherwise will be mandatory training requirements during the first 3 months of employment

6. THE LEEDS WAY VALUES

Our values are part of what make us different from other trusts, so we see this as a strength, as well as a responsibility. They have been developed by our staff and set out what they see as important to how we work. Our five values are:

Patient-centred

Collaborative

Fair

Accountable

Empowered

All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values

Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post:

Comply with Trust and departmental policies and procedures

Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with Trust policies

Is compassionate and ethical in their involvement with the provision of dietetic care

Demonstrate a commitment to personal development

7. WEST YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF ACUTE TRUSTS (WYAAT)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients.

By bringing together the wide range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are working differently, innovating and driving forward change to deliver the highest quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is your opportunity to be a part of that change.

WYAAT is the acute sector arm of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, one of the largest integrated care systems in the country. The Partnerships ambition is for everyone to have the best possible health and wellbeing, and the work of WYAAT, and each individual trust, supports that ambition.

8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS

The post holder will be expected to:

Be self-motivated, confident and enthusiastic with a professional attitude

Be a good team player, with the ability to work flexibly in a diverse and demanding environment to meet the evolving needs of the department

Communicate sensitively and effectively with patients, families and carers, colleagues and all other healthcare professionals

Be professional in appearance and conduct

Demonstrate a willingness to undergo all training requirements necessary for the post

Demonstrate good office practice in accordance with departmental policies and procedures

Proactively participate in departmental development projects meetings clinical updates and audits

Have a mature, pleasant, helpful and friendly nature

Demonstrate the ability to communicate with empathy and understanding

9. CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

Understanding of Nutrition & Dietetics

Awareness of Health & Safety

Diversity Awareness

Understanding of Safeguarding requirements

Understanding of legislation, guidelines and protocols that effect the clinical area

Awareness of the functional effects of the patient group in the clinical area caused by illness and / or disability

10. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Assist in the nutritional assessment and monitoring of dietetic patients by visiting specific wards and telephoning patients. This may involve the following:

Measure and / or record patients weight and / or their height in the dietetic record charts

Record nutritional intake from food record charts and dietary supplement usage in liaison with patients, carers or ward staff

Retrieve and record biochemical results from either the medical notes or the computer system

Liaise with designated in-patients on a therapeutic diet to ascertain food preferences and advise on suitable coded choices

Assess individual patients compliance and consumption of prescribed dietary supplements / enteral feeds

Liaise with pharmacy / wards to ensure that special feeds. supplements reach the designated patients

Provide information and advice to patients and carers on the use of enteral feeding equipment prior to discharge from hospital

Liaise with home enteral feeding companies and complete relevant paperwork to register new patients deliveries under dietetic guidance

Amend existing patients deliveries under dietetic guidance

Liaise with other health care professionals in areas outside Leeds if patients require registering with home enteral feeding companies

Assist with the telephone liaison with Home Enteral Feeding Company Nurses regarding training and visits for home enteral feed patients

Ensure that appropriate supply of supplements have been supplied to patient prior to their discharge

Fax patient letters / prescription requests to GP surgeries, district nurses etc. and telephone to confirm receipt

Liaise with other health care professionals such as district nurses or homecare nurses on behalf of the dietitians

Work within an agreed framework for dealing with routine and urgent problems. Enquires encountered by home enteral feed patients (for example chasing deliveries, organising extra ancillary items etc)

Using computerised dietary analysis software E.G. Microdiet and dietitian acquired information, report on the adequacy of the nutritional intake of identified patients

Provide support and cover for dietetic administration duties and dietetic out-patient clinic management as required

Ensure that all the product information is accurate and up-to-date within the department

Advise the dietitians and carers on up to date nutritional product

Support the dietitians with student and / or ward training

Assist with on-going departmental audits

Part5icipate in the appraisal process as an appraise and demonstrate a commitment to continuous personal development

Undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade as requested, agreed with the line manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum -Level 3 qualification in relevant health/Social Care related subject
• GCSE English and Maths 4-9 (old grade C minimum) or equivalent qualification

Desirable

• Completion of CARE certificate

Skills & Behaviours

Essential

• Demonstrate self-motivation and initiative.
• Demonstrate an ability to work within a team.
• Demonstrate care and compassion when working with others.
• Able to respond to and act upon feedback from others

Desirable

• Ability to work independently

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with and communicating with the public
• Demonstrate an interest in health care and nutrition.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a healthcare setting
• Awareness of the role of a dietitian working in an acute NHS hospital

Other Criteria

Essential

• Demonstrate good workload management and organisational skills.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

St. James's University Hospital

Beckett Street

Leeds

LS9 7TF

Employer's website

https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)