Overview
To be responsible for the day to day planning, management, development, monitoring and provision of the dietetic service within Camden Community and St Pancras Rehabilitation Unit (SPRU).
To provide leadership, support, clinical supervision and develop the members of the Dietetic team (Specialist Dieticians and support workers) in the area of nutrition support services.
To produce, disseminate and evaluate multi-disciplinary Trust‑wide policies, strategies, guidelines, standards and protocols in the area of Nutrition support using expert knowledge, extensive clinical experience and professional judgment.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the dietetic and nutrition support team, lead recruitment and retention, monitor absence and address performance issues.
- Lead in the area of dietetic prescribing and ensure the dietitians provide feeds appropriately.
- Lead the development and provision of specialist training packages on screening and nutritional support for Trust staff, student dietitians, community groups and health professionals, including district nurses, nursing home staff and care workers.
- Network with other lead Dietitians within CNWL to ensure good governance, clinical standards and shared learning.
- Work autonomously to provide expert dietary advice to patients, carers, nurses, clinicians, dietitians and other health professionals/agencies within and across Trusts regarding nutritional support and the appropriate use of nutritional products.
- Assess and diagnose nutritional problems including malnutrition, taking anthropometrical measurements, interpreting blood biochemistry results, analysing dietary intake and calculating nutritional requirements.
- Develop, deliver and review complex treatment plans.
- Ensure appropriate authorisation/prescribing of nutritional sip feeds and enteral feeds for patients and recommend products to GPs and medical staff.
- Communicate complex scientific and sensitive medical information in an understandable form to patients from a wide range of backgrounds, carers and families; gain consent, ensure understanding of the condition, treatment options, risks, acceptance and compliance with dietary treatment; and manage situations that may involve difficult information, such as lifetime adherence to an artificial diet or limitations of treatment in terminal illness.
- Apply highly developed communication, negotiation and counseling skills to facilitate behavioural changes, investigating and accommodating emotional, physical, social and psychological barriers as well as strong influences on change such as depression, dementia, language difficulties, resistant attitudes, aggression, behavioural problems, mental illness, and loss of speech after stroke or oral surgery; and effectively use interpreters, sign language, information technology or other means of communication appropriate to the client’s requirements.
- Serve as an expert source of information and advice to patients/carers and nursing staff on the use of artificial feeding, care of feeding equipment, stoma site, complications and problem-solving.
- Discuss and challenge complex ethical issues or decisions with service users and health professionals, e.g., whether to continue feeding or not.
Commitment to You
Clear roles and responsibilities and a rewarding job that can make a difference to patients, their families and those who care for them and communities.
Personal development, access to appropriate training for your job and line management support to succeed.
Professional Accountability
Be professionally, legally accountable, and responsible for all aspects of your work.
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