Job summary
Employer heading
Community Dietitian
Band 5
Job overview
We have posts working in the community across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Much of our work is remote we are able to offer both flexible and hybrid working (approx. 50% remote working), part time and 9 day fortnight options to successful candidates. Although a lot of our work is now remote there is an expectation for the post holder to be able to travel across the county to complete home visits, community clinics or care home reviews and some face to face meetings.
As a team we are positive about CPD offering bi-monthly education meetings as well as specialist meetings and clinical supervision. Our specialities include, Diabetes, Gastroenterology, Mental Health, Nutrition Support and Tube Feeding.
Successful candidates will have a formal base in either Peterborough, Cambourne, Huntingdon or Doddington - negotiable. The post holder will have a diverse, mixed caseload with elements of each of the above specialities. This provides a great foundation for someone new to NHS Dietetic services.
Main duties of the job
Please note for this role you will be required to travel independently around the county meeting strict time deadlines. You will need to hold a full UK driving licence* and have use of a vehicle. You cannot use public transport for this role as this is not a reliable form of transport and will not allow you to meet service needs. Please confirm in your application that you meet the specified criteria.
- To work within a multi-professional team in nutritional support, first line Gastroenterology (for example IBS, GORD, diverticular disease and coeliac disease), Diabetes and Mental Health in a community setting, providing support, care, and treatment to individuals, within guidelines and protocols identified for the role.
- To assist in the delivery of high standards of health care to patients within their own homes, care homes, the travelling community and in clinics, by following prescribed packages of care.
- To support other qualified staff in the management and execution of clinical practice.
- To provide a dietetic service to patients under the care of their GP within the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB in their own home, care home or in clinic (face to face, telephone and video) and community hospitals.
- To provide a high standard of care.
- To manage own caseload of patients who require ongoing management and support with complex need
*DVLA have a number of reciprocal arrangements with overseas countries, for further information please visit the DVLA website
Working for our organisation
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health & social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health & wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting & empowering them to lead a fulfilling life.
Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services not only via inpatient and primary care setting but also with the community. These services include Children, Adult & Older Peoples mental & physical health, Forensic & Specialist Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Primary Care & Liaison psychiatry, Substance misuse, Social care, Research & Development.
To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high calibre candidates that share our vision & values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people & members of our ethnic minorities & LGBTQ+ communities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
- To be able to manage complex clients who have a range of co-morbidities, including diabetes, malnutrition, CHD and gastroenterological conditions. To take into account such factors as the client’s presenting condition, past medical history, social factors, medication and tube feeds.
- Nutritionally diagnose, give appropriate advice and formulate treatment plans when consulting with patients, relatives and carers
- To be able to see clients within their own homes, care homes or when appropriate, through telephone clinics
- To liaise with other health care professionals as required.
- Overcome barriers to understanding, e.g. patients’ with hearing or cognitive impairment.
- Communicate with patients/carers by exchanging factual information, reassurance, tact and empathy.
- Establish and maintain appropriate working relationships with colleagues, patients, carers and other health care professionals.
- Demonstrate dexterity and coordination when undertaking treatment of patients where accuracy is important, e.g. taking Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), blood glucose testing
- Be responsible for ensuring equipment is used safely, following relevant training, and that it is maintained appropriately.
- Work predominately independently on specified tasks, with regular clinical support and supervision.
- Work with groups of patients as required and to be involved with the running of patient group education sessions.
- Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of consent and gain consent as appropriate following organisational policies.
- To attend relevant external and internal courses to extend knowledge or gain relevant skills to improve clinical practice as identified in the Personal Development Review (PDR).
- Will occasionally be exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products, therefore must utilise universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.
- To attend staff meetings and any other relevant meetings as required
- To ensure patients personal care is provided and highlighting areas of concerns such as pressure areas and reporting any changes to professional
- To work within the wider disciplinary team and recognise own role within it.
- To promote patient independence and self management
- To practice the principles and philosophy of individualised patient care in accordance with Trust Policy, procedures and regulatory body’s guidelines.
- To maintain appropriate and timely documentation of each patient contact (ensuring these are recorded on SystmOne and RIO (where appropriate) within 24hours).
- Plan and prioritise own visits to patients on caseload, (and ensure these are documented on SystmOne / RIO) Checking pressure areas and highlighting these to professional who has delegated the task.
- Advise on the safe use of prescribed nutritional supplementary feeds.
- To support the Dietetic Assistant Practitioners with the roll out of malnutrition Guidelines, meal observations and promotion of homemade supplement use.
- To undertake reviews of malnourished clients applying screening tools, self reported information, observations and semi-structured consultations with clients, family members and others involved in the clients care.
- To raise any matters of concern with your Manager/Director
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Appropriate diploma/degree
- HCPC Registered Dietitian or working toward on next 6 months
- Strong evidence of CPD (portfolio)
Desirable criteria
- MSc in Dietetics
Experience
Essential criteria
- Student training placement
- Nutrition support experience
- Teaching/training
- Expresses desire to work in community
Desirable criteria
- Audit
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Work flexibly to accommodate patient/service needs and team requirements
- Ability to work well within a team as well as individually.
- Good organisation skills (e.g. organising activities, groups, following a plan of care).
- Observational skills.
- Aware of own limitations and when to ask for support
- Basic computer skills
- Good self/time management skills e.g. manage own workload.
- Ability to record messages and information in an accurate and concise way.
- Able to demonstrate commitment to high quality care and service provision
- Good communication (verbal, written, non-verbal) skills.
Desirable criteria
- Critical Appraisal
- Proven record of Multidisciplinary working
Physical Requirements
Essential criteria
- The ability to travel around the county at short notice
Other
Essential criteria
- Recognise peoples right to privacy and dignity, treating every person with respect
- Willingness to embrace integrated model and new ways of working.
- Willingness to be flexible in approach and attitude
- Able to work shifts and unsocial hours when required.
Knowledge and Understanding
Essential criteria
- Knows the appropriate use of prescription feeds and supplements
- Clear knowledge of Diabetes care and some medications used to manage diabetes
- Understands about the role of nutrition in mental health.
- Understands different approaches to managing underweight patients.
- Has good knowledge of first line advice for IBS, Coeliac Disease, Diverticular Disease, GORD, Stomas and lactose intolerance.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Amanda Thornburrow
- Job title
- Dietetic Service Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0330 726 0077
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