Job summary
Employer heading
Nutritional Assistant - Lascelles Unit
NHS AfC: Band 2
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust cares for the population in Harrogate and the local area as well as across North Yorkshire and Leeds. We also provide children’s services in the North East in County Durham, Darlington, Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Gateshead and Sunderland.
Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is one of only two trusts in Yorkshire and Humber to be awarded HSJ’s Top 100 Best Places to Work. We believe that You Matter Most, and this is reflected in what we value: Kindness, Integrity, Teamwork and Equality. So if you’re looking for an interesting and rewarding career in the NHS, where you can make a real difference to patients’ lives, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust is the place for you.
Job overview
Providing our patients with excellent nutritional care improves their recovery from illness and can reduce length of hospital stay. Our ward based Nutrition Assistants coordinate and monitor the nutritional care of our patients and are a crucial part of our ward teams.
An opportunity has arisen to work as a Nutrition Assistant on Lascelles Neuro-Rehab Unit at Harrogate District Hospital.
You will be ward based but work closely with the Nutrition & Dietetic, Speech & Language Therapy and catering teams. This is a fast paced job which requires time management and organisational skills, and the ability to communicate clearly with patients and staff in many different roles. You will need to be able to work as part of a team whilst also using your own initiative to work by yourself.
Experience in a caring environment is essential but a qualification in nutrition is not. Full induction and ongoing training in the role will be provided.
Please read the job description before applying to fully understand this varied and vital role.
Main duties of the job
- To provide ‘first line’ nutritional support to patients identified as ‘nutritionally at risk’ on HDFTs Nutrition Risk Screening tool, by the correct implementation of the ‘Red Tray System’
- To repeat nutritional screening on WebV using HDFTs Nutrition Risk Screening tool, following training from the dietitians. Instigate a nutritional care plan according to the nutrition risk score obtained
- Liaise with catering staff to identify patients requiring meals on the Red Tray System
- Explain the Red Tray System to patients and relatives/carers, and provide written information where appropriate
- Order high calorie ‘red tray snacks’ from catering for nutritionally at risk patients, according to patient preference
- Offer oral nutritional supplements (ONS) twice daily to patients on the Red Tray System and identify their preferences. Monitor consumption of ONS
- Ensure appropriate presentation of ONS. Always serve chilled and from a cup/glass
- Use EPMA (view only access) to ensure that correct oral nutritional supplements are offered to patients if prescribed, following dietetic assessment (under the supervision of a registered nurse)
- Coordinate completion of daily Food Record Charts with assistance from nursing and care support staff. Alert nursing staff and dietitians to any concerns
- Fortify foods with dried milk powder and cream replacer to increase patient’s calorie and protein intake
Working for our organisation
At Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust we provide ‘outstanding’ care to both our patients and our staff. We support staff through benefits, health and wellbeing initiatives and opportunities for personal and professional development.
- An inclusive and supportive culture – our Trust encourages staff to bring their whole selves to work and active Staff Networks identify areas for improvement.
- Staff Recognition - as well as regular appraisals, we recognise staff with our Making a Difference and Team of the Month Awards plus the Christmas Oscars.
- Employee Support and wellbeing - we have a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, counselling service and fast track physiotherapy service for employees.
- Staff Benefits - We have a range of staff benefits and schemes to support staff health, engagement, wellbeing and inclusion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification. If you have any questions, please contact Annie Moran on [email protected] or 01423 544276
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
- Previous CSW experience
Applicant requirements
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
- Annie Moran
- Job title
- Ward Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01423 544276
- Additional information
Jill Gale,
Lead Dietitian
01423 553329
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