Dietitian

Use highly developed communication skills to communicate dietary intervention to patients and carers. Develop effective working relationships with other appropriate agencies to ensure provision of individual, planned, co-ordinated and integrated dietetic care. Actively participate in multidisciplinary team meetings. Provide expert advice to patients and carers.

This may include full assessment and provision of patient centred, evidence based highly specialised nutritional care plans which are both realistic and practical, taking into account the patients medical, psychological, social and cultural needs as well as taking into account the needs of the carer and adjust care plans to facilitate achievement of goals. Act as a source of highly specialist information and advice on current best practice in mental health dietetics for colleagues, other health care professionals and clinicians. Work with patients with complex needs, including communication impairment and lack of capacity. Be able to make recommendations about the safe and appropriate use of nutritional supplements, drug prescriptions and interactions relating to nutritional intake.

Be responsible for advising on the procurement / ordering of suitable enteral feeding products and equipment for the service in line with budget requirements. Devise, monitor and review highly specialised care plans against outcome measures to facilitate the achievement of goals. Gain valid consent to treatment and negotiate change with patients by breaking down barriers, using motivational skills, to enable them to achieve dietary targets set. Undertake designated specialist outpatient clinics.

Ensure safe and timely discharge of patients, liaising with appropriate internal and external agencies. Accurately report / record all assessment and interventions in medical notes in line with Trust policy.