Nutritional Assistant

To assist in the implementation of an agreed nutritional care plan for patients on the ward, ensuring that nutritional needs are assessed, monitored and met. You will be expected to collaborate with patients, carers and multidisciplinary teams and will have the opportunity to influence the promotion of good health and the provision of nutrition to individual patients.
- Work with the registered nurse following their nutritional risk assessment of each patient in the development of a patient centred nutritional care plan in conjunction with the ward dietician.
- Ensure special diets are ordered and liaise with ward hostess re menu choice
- Assist the patients in eating and drinking and ensure all patients have their needs met with the support of the ward team
- Establish food, fluid and supplement intake monitoring and recording and report back to the registered nurse and the dietetic team.
- Advise patients on their food choice suitable to their dietary needs, recognising cultural differences and work with the patients and carers to identify favoured food and drinks and liase with the dietician and catering dept.
- Keep accurate and timely records at ward level which do not require the expertise of the dietician or qualified nurse.
- Participate in audit with guidance from the team.
- Encourage and assist patients to take prescribed snacks, nourishing drinks and supplements and document as directed by the dietician.
- Weigh and measure patients as requested and as per nutritional risk assessment.
- Check there is appropriate storage of food and supplements in the ward and patient areas.
- Promote healthy eating within the nutritional education framework and establish nutritional information resource areas for the ward.
- Assist all patients with food related issues and promote discussion with the dietetic team.

Ward 15 is a welcoming, friendly environment caring for older patients. Although this is a busy unit, we pride ourselves on our team work to enable the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Clinical Duties
- Assist the patients in eating and drinking and ensure all patients have their needs met with the support of the ward team
- Keep accurate and timely records at ward level which do not require the expertise of the dietician or qualified nurse
- Participate in audit with guidance from the team.
- Encourage and assist patients to take prescribed snacks, nourishing drinks and supplements and document as directed by the dietitian.
- Contribute to the moving and handling of the patient following appropriate training and education.
- Assist all patients with food related issues and promote discussion with the dietetic team.
- Weigh and measure patients as requested and as per nutritional risk assessment.

Professional Duties
- There are no professional duties required in this post

Managerial Duties
- There are no managerial duties required in this post.

Financial Duties
- There are no financial duties required in this post.

Managing Self
- Participate in regular supervision.
- Attend all mandatory training.
- Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.
- Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.
- Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy.
- Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary.
- Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times.
- Undertake all such reasonable other duties as may be required as part of the role.