Job Description

To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including responsibility of an allocated patient caseload / workload To work as part of an Acute Dietetic Team undertaking assessment of patients including those with diverse and complex presentations and conditions: using clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques to formulate individualised treatment plans and programmes To deliver individualised dietetic treatment programmes using a broad range of skills in individual and group settings To continually reassess patient progress, adapting treatment plans accordingly, and developing discharge plans To refer patients appropriately to other health and social care services according to protocol providing timely and detailed information to ensure good continuity To communicate effectively with patients and carers and other health care professionals using a wide range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to share assessment findings, agree treatment plans, progress nutrition, give advice, teaching etc. This will include patients with communication and comprehension difficulties and those who may be unable to accept diagnosis /prognosis To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment To keep up to date, accurate, problem orientated medical records in dietetics and MDT notes in line with Trust policy, legal requirements and professional standards and to provide written reports, discharge summaries etc as required To attend and actively contribute at MDT meetings, Ward Rounds, Case Conferences etc discussing patient care, treatment programmes, goals and discharge planning as required To work with, and delegate work under protocol to, Band 5 Dietitians and Dietetic Assistants To supervise the work of less experienced dietitians, dietetic assistants and dietetic students providing expert knowledge regarding the specialism to all team members To be responsible for organising and planning own caseload and work demands to meet patient and service priorities, in conjunction with Lead Dietitians, alerting him/her of excessive demands and effects on patient care To undertake, record, continually review and work within individual patient Risk Assessments in line with local policy, referring to the Lead Dietitian where risk cannot be safely reduced /managed To participate in team and service audits and research projects, identifying areas for study in conjunction with the Lead Dietitians The job holder must comply with the Medway NHS Foundation Trust Infection Prevention and Control policies at all times and adhere to the Clinical Work Wear policy. In particular hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with patients and their environment. Mandatory training must also be completed and up to date To observe Trust, departmental and Health Professions Council Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Standards of Proficiency To be responsible for maintaining and developing own competency to practice through professional development and CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects your development Maintain appropriate communication with the Lead Dietitians supervising the speciality, participating in regular supervision of caseload and seeking advice when appropriate Participate in the Trusts Staff Appraisal System as an appraisee including the agreement of a Personal Development Plan Be actively involved in the planning, delivery and participation in the in-service training programme, professional clinical groups, peer review groups, attendance at external courses and all other professional development activities To abide by the Rules of Professional Conduct of the British Dietetic Association Ensure that your own practice and that of staff under your supervision meets required legal, service and professional standards.



To teach, assess and contribute to the appraisal and development of less senior Dietitians and Dietetic Assistants To contribute to the planning and provision of placements for under-graduate Dietetic students, training, supervising and contributing to their formal assessment To develop and evidence your competence in the Clinical Education of Dietetic under-graduates, developing contact with university departments assigning students to the trust and contributing to the Clinical Educators Group, monitoring and improving the quality of Clinical Education in Dietetics To act as a role model in areas of clinical competence, attitude and enthusiasm for Dietetics To develop awareness and be sensitive to team dynamics, and to critically consider own role and style and that of other team members and respond appropriately To contribute to the development of the team and wider Nutrition and Dietetic service making recommendations to the Clinical Lead Dietitians. To comply with organisational, departmental and Trust policies and procedures and be involved in commenting on policy and protocol development Deputise for the more senior Dietitians in their absence, taking responsibility for allocating and organising the work of assistants to meet service priorities To collect and submit all data and statistics as required in a timely and accurate manner To be aware of Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including your prompt recording and reporting of accidents or concerns