Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Development, application and dissemination of expertise

• To develop and disseminate evidence based, best practice guidelines on dietetic care in the specialist area locally, regionally and nationally.
• To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of work in compliance with the ethical code of practice set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• To be responsible for the development and provision of evidence based dietetic service to the patients, carers and staff of the Denmark Hill site of King’s College Hospital in the specialist area.
• Formulate and deliver individual dietetic treatment plans for patients based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of a wide range of dietetic treatments.
• Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
• Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment regimens as required.
• To manage clinical risk with own patient caseload.
• Work within Trust clinical guidelines and to have good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor quality of practice as appropriate.
• To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with British Dietetic Association (BDA) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of practice.

Team working, decision making and communication

• Represent the dietetic service and/or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service, and integrate dietetic therapy into the treatment programme. This will include discussion of patient care, patient progress and involvement in discharge planning.
• To provide nutrition counselling to patients and carers relating to highly complex treatments using a broad range of counselling techniques and experience, reassurance and motivational skills to encourage change particularly where there is non-compliance.
• To be responsible for ensuring that patients and carers have consented to dietetic intervention in line with national professional guidelines.
• To make clinical decisions in collaboration with the Nutrition Support Team about the appropriate and safe administration of parenteral nutrition or alternative forms of artificial nutrition support. This will involve nutritional assessment and monitoring; including the calculation of nutritional requirements based on the interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometry, clinical condition and other physical parameters.
• To directly prescribe nutritional supplements, vitamin and minerals as agreed with consultant medical staff.
• To communicate and liaise with the wider healthcare community, locally, regionally and nationally, regarding nutrition prescription and nutritional care of patients. Providing appropriate information, education and professional support to clinicians, patients and carers. This will include delivering service and expertise off-site.
• To be responsible for the discharge planning of patients going home on artificial nutritional support.
• Liaise with the Catering department to promote optimal nutrition for patients.

Audit and research

This is a highly specialised post and the post holder is expected to use their experience and specialist expertise to support the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in delivering an effective and efficient service

• Undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures either individually or with more senior dietitians.
• To initiate and participate in regular research and audit within the specialised area. This includes co-ordination and supervision of research projects for undergraduate dietetic students. Relevant findings will be published or presented at appropriate conferences.
• To undertake as directed the collection of data for use in service audit and research projects. To manage and undertake research into specific areas of clinical practice and service delivery using a range of research methodologies as part of MDT audit and departmental research initiatives.
• To research, develop, audit and publish evidence based departmental patient information literature for use within and outside the trust. Development will include involvement of appropriate patient groups.
  
  

Development activities

• Be actively involved in professional clinical groups such as department’s development groups and other appropriate professional development activities
• To participate in the development, implementation and update of operational and professional standards and policies for the specialist dietetic service.
• To be an active team member of the dietetic department at King’s participating in departmental developments and attending monthly staff and continuing professional development meetings.
• To advise and liaise with the catering staff about the dietary needs of patients and to assist in instructing diet kitchen chefs on preparation of special meals as required. To adapt and analyse the menu cycle to ensure suitability for the inpatient population and make recommendations to the site Catering Dietitian and Manager.
• Participate in the staff Performance Review scheme as an appraisee and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programmes to meet required knowledge and competency goals.
• Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.
• Undertake an evidence-based project develop improvements to service delivery and clinical practice. Make recommendations for change to the appropriate development group in the Department
• Be actively involved in professional clinical groups, such as the department’s development groups and other professional development activities.
• To be an active team member of the dietetic department at King’s participating in departmental developments and attending monthly staff and continuing professional development meetings.
• To assist the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics in ensuring that department resources are used to best effect and in appropriate aspects of budget management.
  
  

Compliance with Trust and National operational procedures and guidance

• To keep statistics and written records of all inpatient and outpatient contacts in accordance with Trust and departmental standards for record keeping.
• You have a general duty of care for the health, safety and well-being of yourself, work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with this post.
• To observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of King’s College Hospital NHS Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations.
• To be responsible, with management support, for your personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues.
• To ensure safe practice through development of a caseload management plan taking into account risk management and the reporting of adverse incidents as outlined in Trust policy.
• To make an appropriate contribution to operational and strategic planning of the dietetic services provided by the Trust.
• To carry out good office practice in accordance with the department’s policies and procedures.
• To understand the Trust’s Equal Opportunities policy and provide a fair and non-biased service. In particular, this includes taking account of cultural, religious, financial and social influences on food choice when planning and advising on dietary change.
• To comply with professional codes of practice, professional guidelines and departmental policies.
• To maintain strict confidentiality of patients records in accordance with Trust policy, the Health Professions Council Code of Practice and the Data Protection act 1984.
  
  

Contribution to service continuity

• To demonstrate flexibility in providing cover in times of staff shortage within clinical areas appropriate to the grade with senior support.
• To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade as requested by the Head of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Personal development responsibilities

• Maintain and develop current knowledge of evidenced-based practice in specialist area, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient groups.
• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities, and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
  
  

Responsibilities for the training and development of others

• To develop and lead specialised nutrition teaching programmes for medical, nursing and other staff within the Trust.
• To provide specialised education and support for the wider dietetic workforce in the NHS where appropriate.
• To actively participate in the training and assessment of student dietitians.

Human Resources/Supervisory

Highly specialised and experienced staff are expected to support and assist in the professional development of more junior staff.

• To be responsible for the development and delivery of a specialist training programme related to your specialist area for the development of the Department’s junior staff.
• To actively contribute to the supervision of student dietitians and more junior staff where appropriate. Ensuring that their record keeping, practice and professional development is in line with local and national professional dietetic service standards.