Specialist Eating Disorder Dietitian

Clinical To provide a specialist dietetic service to adults with eating disorders in an outpatient setting. This involves working with patients and multidisciplinary team members to identify and address the complex psychological and social factors that affect compliance with dietary treatment, thus enabling long term / permanent lifestyle changes. To provide specialist advice to patients with eating disorders deemed to be at high physical risk. To undertake comprehensive assessments of each patients diet and lifestyle to formulate individualised management and treatment plans ensuring optimal outcome whilst minimising risk.

The assessments include interpreting biochemical data and using quantitative/ qualitative analysis of nutritional information. To be aware of and able to identify patients at high psychiatric risk (e.g. of suicide) and liaise with the multidisciplinary team regarding the management of risk in these patients To communicate effectively with patients. This involves giving dietary advice to patients with multifaceted emotional, physical and psychological problems where acceptance is potentially difficult This will also occasionally involve working in conditions requiring the ability to react sensitively where patients have a history of physical, sexual and/ or mental abuse.

To work autonomously within the eating disorders team with little or no daily supervision To run group teaching on dietetic issues for patients to aid recovery from their eating disorder To be aware of and be able to identify patients at high psychiatric risk and liaise with the team regarding the management of these patients To promote awareness of the role of the dietitian within the services, negotiating priorities where appropriate. To work effectively as a team member of the dietetic service, providing a flexible service, covering as appropriate other dietetic services. This will include complex enteral feeding (PEG and nasogastric feeds) and cover for the inpatient EDS To maintain a high standard of clinical practice. To work as a member of the multidisciplinary/ integrated team, establishing collaborative working relationships, sharing skills and information.

To be actively involved in clinical team meetings, and care plan review meetings as required. To be responsible for clinical equipment used by the dietetic team, ensuring that all departmental policies are adhered to & safe use by other staff and clients. Communication To use advanced communication skills of persuasion, motivation and explanation. This may include cognitive behavioural therapy.

To liaise with Dietitians at acute hospitals and primary care regarding patients being transferred between services. Documentation To maintain accurate & timely clinical records of care assessment / progress / discharge reports via the electronic records system (RIO) for all clients in accordance with Trust policies. To be responsible for diet sheets, information and other literature for the care groups that the job encompasses. To ensure that clinical documentation is maintained in accordance with professional and service / documentation standards, for own & delegated responsibilities.

To provide clinical reports as required in line with professional guidance and relevant clinical pathways. To maintain administrative and statistical information as required and submit it in a timely manner and to ensure that activity data is recorded in accordance with Trust policies. Professional Ethics To adhere to the professions Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. To exercise good personal time management, punctuality, reliable attendance & appropriate professional behaviours at all times.

To undertake relevant activities to meet identified training objectives. To maintain a CPD file & record of training / development and to fully meet the B7 Dietitian KSF outline. Leadership, Supervision & Appraisal To be able to demonstrate self management (managing own emotions and displaying resilience in complex / demanding situations). To participate in regular professional and operational supervision and engage in annual development reviews.

To supervise the junior dietetic staff working in EDS To proactively engage in continuing professional development and maintain evidence in line with HPC and KSF responsibilities Training To act as a resource for junior members of dietetic staff. To be responsible for organising the rolling programme of pre-treatment education sessions for patients and carers awaiting treatment with the Eating Disorders Service. To run group teaching and menu planning sessions on dietetic issues for patients to aid recovery from their eating disorder To provide advice, teaching and instruction to other professionals and other relevant agencies, to promote an understanding of the aims of dietetics and to ensure a consistent approach to client care. To provide specialist advice, teaching and training to other members of the multidisciplinary/integrated team incl