Dietetic Assistant | Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Are you interested in nutrition and health and are someone who would like to make a difference to the nutritional care and management of patients in hospital?. We are looking for a motivated , friendly team-player to join the dietetic team based at Broomfield hospital as a dietetic assistant for 32.5 hours/ week. This may be able to increase to full time later in the year. This role will enable you to work closely with the Dietitians and ward staff to deliver a high standard of nutritional care . You will be involved in the collection of clinical information to assist dietetic assessment and practical aspects of implementing/ monitoring the nutritional recommendations made by the Dietitian. A key aspect of this role involves training members of the healthcare team and promoting first -line nutrition support strategies on the wards This is an exciting opportunity working with a friendly and supportive team 1. To collect relevant information for patients referred to the dietetic department to assist in the prioritisation of workload. 2. To provide assistance to the dietitians in implementing dietetic care plans for inpatients and out patients . 3. To liaise with catering staff with regards to provision of special diets and nutritional supplements, in conjunction with the dietitians 4. To liaise with pharmacy and pharmaceutical companies regarding nutritional feeds and supplements, in conjunction with the dietitians 5. With support from the dietitians, to undertake teaching and education of nurses and other members of the multidisciplinary team in nutrition screening and basic nutrition support 6. To update dietetic resources as required by the dietitians Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people. We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us. We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include

• The post-holder will communicate with patients, carers and health professionals, e.g. Nutrition Nurse, Speech Therapist, Nursing Staff and Doctors on the telephone or in person
• The post-holder will talk to ward staff regarding patient's nutrition
• The post-holder will talk about healthy eating to the general public
• The post-holder will attend and contribute to staff meetings
• The post-holder will assist with the running of the office as required e.g. filing, photocopying, answering the phone
• The post-holder will photocopy diet sheets and other resources
• The post-holder will record clinical findings in patient's records
• The post-holder will complete the reporting of patient contacts in line with department guidelines
• The post-holder will organise and prioritise clinical work load
• The post-holder will encourage and assist patients to take prescribed snacks, nourishing drinks and supplements
• The post-holder will assist patients requiring special diets to choose from the hospital menu
• The post-holder will ensure the completion of food record charts, and collect information from food record charts as requested by the Dietitian
• The post-holder will monitor the use of nutrition screening on the wards and inform Dietitian of patients at 'high risk'
• The post-holder will help to train nursing staff on the use of the nutrition screening tool
• The post-holder will collect preliminary information on patients referred to the dietetic service from a variety of sources, including the taking of diet histories
• The post-holder will monitor patient's weight changes and to do simple calculations and conversions for weight, height and body mass index
• The post-holder will undertake review of patients as requested by the dietitian.
• The post-holder will liaise and report to the Dietitian patient's progress and any changes that may have occurred.
• The post-holder will liaise with the Dietitian regarding follow up arrangements required after the discharge of an inpatient
• The post-holder will follow up discharged patients by telephone when requested by the dietitian
• The post-holder will act as a link to other agencies and services by appropriate networking
• The post-holder will contribute to any health promotion sessions that are being attended by the dietetic service