Dietetic Assistant

Job summary
We are looking to recruit a Dietetic Assistant who wishes to develop their skills in supporting patients who require nutritional support. The patients on your caseload will live in a community setting, the majority will either live in a care home or in a supportive living setting.
We would like the successful candidate to become an integral part of our community team, helping newly recruited dietitians to settle into the area and the department.
As a department we encourage quality improvement and audit work.
You will report to the Community Team Team Leaders, the successful post holder will be part of the wider Bolton Foundation Trust Dietetic Department. The department is composed of two teams, acute and community with a total of 19 W.T.E staff. We provide an integrated service across both our Hospital and Community sites meeting the needs of our patients across the whole of the Bolton population.
We are experienced trainers for student dietitians currently providing P1, P2 and P3 placements with theUniversity of Chester, MMU and UCLAN.
The service operates a flexi-time working arrangement and recognises the importance of balancing the needs of work with family commitments. The post is a 37.5 hours/week post although part time hours may be considered.
This post is subject to Disclosure by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY.
Main duties of the job
You will work alongside a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner's and under the direct supervision of the Dietitians. 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 the role involves educating members of the healthcare team and promoting first line nutrition support strategies.
About us
Here at Bolton our patients are at the heart of everything we do. We ensure our patients receive the highest quality of Care and are guided by our trust Values. We are proud that our Trust is a centre of excellence formaternity, neonataland care for children, and that it has been rated as Good by the Quality Care Commission (CQC). This is in recognition of the patient experience and quality of care that our staff provide to patients. It is also supported by our Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professional Framework for Professional Practice
The aims of this Trust are to improve the health of and provide the best possible care to the population in which we serve and ensure that our staff has joy and pride in their work. We are striving to recruit a workforce that reflects the communities in which we serve. We value our staff and can offer excellent opportunities for further training and development. We are keen to reflect our local population and therefore applications from all sectors of the community are welcomed.
In addition, we can offer you:
o 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS service)
o Eligibility for our NHS Car lease scheme
o Eligibility for our NHS Technology Scheme
o Access to on-site Gymnasium
o Various NHS Discounts
Job description
Job responsibilities
To carry out specific care and treatment under the guidance and delegation of the qualified staff in accordance with the dietetic care plan
To be able to recognise improvements or adverse developments in the clients condition, report to supervisor and document it.
To implement intervention programmes either in groups, or on an individual basis, under the supervision of a registered dietitian
To organise and carry out follow up visits in the clients home, either in relation to assessment and provision of equipment or to carry out other therapeutic activity under the guidance of the registered dietetic staff.
To prepare the client and environment for therapeutic intervention when required
To maintain hygiene and cleanliness of all relevant clinical areas
To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools, to effectively communicate with and gather information from clients/carers and feedback accurately to therapy colleagues, in order to progress any treatment programmes. This will include clients who may have difficulties understanding or communicating, e.g. speech difficulties.
To identify when intervention with a client is appropriate and to be able to modify intervention within agreed level of competence
To be aware of the local and out of area procedures for the provision of resources as required and complete referrals in liaison with relevant dietitian.
To liaise directly with voluntary and other support agencies in order to gain information on available community services appropriate to clients
To demonstrate understanding of the roles of other MDT members and work in partnership with them in order to contribute to MDT assessment of clients
To maintain effective communication with carers in line with client confidentiality
To possess basic IT and keyboard skills, enabling the use of relevant organisational IT systems necessary to fulfil the role, e.g. booking appointments or accessing email etc
Job description
Job responsibilities
To carry out specific care and treatment under the guidance and delegation of the qualified staff in accordance with the dietetic care plan
To be able to recognise improvements or adverse developments in the clients condition, report to supervisor and document it.
To implement intervention programmes either in groups, or on an individual basis, under the supervision of a registered dietitian
To organise and carry out follow up visits in the clients home, either in relation to assessment and provision of equipment or to carry out other therapeutic activity under the guidance of the registered dietetic staff.
To prepare the client and environment for therapeutic intervention when required
To maintain hygiene and cleanliness of all relevant clinical areas
To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools, to effectively communicate with and gather information from clients/carers and feedback accurately to therapy colleagues, in order to progress any treatment programmes. This will include clients who may have difficulties understanding or communicating, e.g. speech difficulties.
To identify when intervention with a client is appropriate and to be able to modify intervention within agreed level of competence
To be aware of the local and out of area procedures for the provision of resources as required and complete referrals in liaison with relevant dietitian.
To liaise directly with voluntary and other support agencies in order to gain information on available community services appropriate to clients
To demonstrate understanding of the roles of other MDT members and work in partnership with them in order to contribute to MDT assessment of clients
To maintain effective communication with carers in line with client confidentiality
To possess basic IT and keyboard skills, enabling the use of relevant organisational IT systems necessary to fulfil the role, e.g. booking appointments or accessing email etc
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• oEducation to GCSE level or equivalent, including English & Mathematics

Desirable

• NVQ III or equivalent Accredited Learning in Dietetics
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Experience
Essential

• oExperience of working with patients and carers with different medical conditions and who may be elderly, sick or terminally ill.
• o Experience of working in a healthcare setting

Desirable

• Experience of planning and delivering health education to individuals and groups.
• Experience working with dietitians or other therapists in an acute and community setting.

Skills
Essential

• Good communication skills (verbal and written)
• Basic IT skills
• Basic admin & clerical skills - typing, filing and telephone skills
• Ability to work alone
• Ability to cope with a busy work load, working well as part of a team
• Able to use initiative
• Sensory skills, e.g. manual dexterity
• Ability to manage time effectively
• Be able to follow instructions
• Have attention to detail
• Ability to persuade, motivate, explain, and empathise with people who have communication differences or barriers to understanding
• Able to communicate clearly
• Able to take accurate messages
• Computer skills
• Able to act as a role model

Knowledge
Essential

• A basic knowledge of nutrition in health and disease including malnutrition, nutrition support and principles of healthy eating.
• A basic knowledge of how disability and illness affects nutritional intake and function.
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable

• A basic knowledge of health promotion
• A basic knowledge of how nutrition impacts on healing, recovery and rehabilitation

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• oEducation to GCSE level or equivalent, including English & Mathematics

Desirable

• NVQ III or equivalent Accredited Learning in Dietetics
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate

Experience
Essential

• oExperience of working with patients and carers with different medical conditions and who may be elderly, sick or terminally ill.
• o Experience of working in a healthcare setting

Desirable

• Experience of planning and delivering health education to individuals and groups.
• Experience working with dietitians or other therapists in an acute and community setting.

Skills
Essential

• Good communication skills (verbal and written)
• Basic IT skills
• Basic admin & clerical skills - typing, filing and telephone skills
• Ability to work alone
• Ability to cope with a busy work load, working well as part of a team
• Able to use initiative
• Sensory skills, e.g. manual dexterity
• Ability to manage time effectively
• Be able to follow instructions
• Have attention to detail
• Ability to persuade, motivate, explain, and empathise with people who have communication differences or barriers to understanding
• Able to communicate clearly
• Able to take accurate messages
• Computer skills
• Able to act as a role model

Knowledge
Essential

• A basic knowledge of nutrition in health and disease including malnutrition, nutrition support and principles of healthy eating.
• A basic knowledge of how disability and illness affects nutritional intake and function.
• Evidence of CPD

Desirable

• A basic knowledge of health promotion
• A basic knowledge of how nutrition impacts on healing, recovery and rehabilitation

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. .
Employer details
Employer name
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Lever chambers Centre for Health
27 Ashburner Str
Bolton
BL1 1SQ
Employer's website

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