Paediatric Weight Management Dietitian

**Main Duties/Key Results Areas**: CLINICAL PRACTICE Practice autonomously, providing high quality innovative clinical practice in specialist area. Be proactive in clinical decision making underpinned by an advanced level of theoretical and practical knowledge. Use advanced clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge of service users in specialist area. Undertake comprehensive specialist holistic nutritional assessments including the calculation of nutritional requirements on the interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometry, clinical condition and other physical parameters in those with highly complex needs.

To be experienced in the use of anthropometric equipment for assessment of nutritional status, such as bioelectrical impedance, callipers and hand grip dynamometer and interpretation of results. To provide nutrition counselling using strategies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational skills to engage, educate and reassure patients, helping overcome barriers to change, particularly where there is non-compliance. To develop a dietetic treatment plan based on evidence based practice and provide advanced nutritional advice to service users, in collaboration with their carers, where needs are highly complex. This involves the interpretation and communication of complex and sensitive information in an understandable form.

Where appropriate, to advise and liaise with the catering staff concerning the dietary needs for service users and to assist in instructing chefs on preparation of special meals as required. To adapt and analyse the menu cycle to ensure suitability for the service users and make recommendations to the site Catering Manager. Demonstrate a high level of knowledge in relation to pattern of disease or disorder, marker of condition progression and range of treatment available at each stage of disorder or condition. To take the lead in providing expert dietetic advice to the multidisciplinary team, through attendance and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings and ward rounds.

Where appropriate to role, act as an independent non-medical supplementary prescriber, able to take a history, assess, examine, diagnose and prescribe and develop a management plan including medication and monitor response to medication. To recommend and advise on the prescription of suitable cost effective ACBS products including oral nutritional supplements, enteral feeding products and gluten free products to service users within speciality, in line with SW London Alliance prescribing guidelines. To be responsible for ensuring written and electronic patient records are completed for all patient contacts including statistical activity data records in accordance with professional, departmental and trust standards. The ability to manage distressing situations, involving the treatment of terminally ill and very unwell patients.

This results in exposures to complex situations and distressed clients and their relatives / carers. To ensure flexible service delivery and provide clinical cover for colleagues during periods of absence. LEADERSHIP Inspire and demonstrate leadership qualities through the delivery of specialist advice, working with others, and demonstration of personal qualities, continuous service improvement and setting direction. Manage change through strategic thinking, use of negotiating skills, self-awareness and effective communication.

Act as a role model, provide professional leadership to the dietetic team and promote the trust / organisation behaviours of being proactive, positive, respectful, supportive, reliable and trustworthy. To participate in the recruitment and selection of junior members of staff, according to trust policy. To be responsible for the performance management and/or clinical supervision of band 5 / 6 dietitians within specialist dietetic team, including annual appraisal. To ensure safe practice through development of a caseload management plan and to monitor workload of the team, including waiting lists, referrals and discharges, providing activity reports as requested.

To monitor Key Performance Indicators and provide reports for specialist service where applicable. EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE AND RESEARCH Regularly undertake audit and service evaluation to inform service improvement. When necessary support and facilitate colleagues in research, clinical audit and clinical trials in order to improve effectiveness and quality of patient care. Critically analyse research findings and their implications for practice.

Disseminate evidence based practice and audit findings through local and or regional presentation to professional groups. Review recent publications and research to ensure practice is evidence based and up to date. To research, develop, produce and publish evidence-based departmental literature in the area of specialisation, including use of patient forums, in line with the British Dietetic Association guidelines and those of