Dietetic Assistant

To ensure all duties are undertaken in line with standard operating procedures and to enable the achievement of Trust and Service specific Key Performance Indicators. To request, cancel and re-arrange appointments when necessary. Frequently receive and respond appropriately to telephone and personal enquiries from patients, relatives, GPs, other consultants and external bodies, referring enquiries to the consultants / clinical team where necessary. This will require analysis of queries/issues, making judgements about how to deal with them and escalating as appropriate.

This may require the use of tact/ empathic or reassurance skills. In addition, persuasive skills are often required where agreement or co-operation is required in trying to avoid Trust complaints. Accurate recording of all paper/computerised patient records, updating and amending information timely and within standard operating procedures. Undertake routine or ad hoc data validation as directed.

Keep appropriate statistical records/information as and when required for the clinical team for audit purposes. Provision of statistical returns required at regular intervals. This may involve entering statistical data onto databases. Responsible for the receipt of referral letters with timely input onto the computerised IT Systems and ensuring that all patients demographic information is recorded accurately in order to arrange outpatient appointments for clinics in accordance with service specific requirements.

To be responsible for ensuring copies of correspondence are stored in the patients electronic records in accordance with standard operating procedures. To attend meetings and appropriate Committees to provide secretarial support by taking minutes and arranging meetings, as and when required. To be responsible for the confidential management of patient records and ensure that all documentation is returned to the appropriate department timely within standard operating procedures. The post holder will give relevant assistance and training as and when required to support all colleagues.

To carry out general administration duties and provide clerical assistance, as required. To assist the Dietitians in reviewing patients clinically, either remotely via telephone conversations or face to face visits to patients in their own home. Demonstrate a good knowledge of nutritional supplements in order to review patients who have a nutritional supplement prescription in situ. To be able to liaise with other professionals including Therapists, Social workers, GPs and carers to actively input into multi-disciplinary working.

To assist the Dietitians to work on Dietetic resources and delivery of training to patients and professionals. To follow the Dietetic plan put into place by the qualified or student Dietitian and provide feedback to the named Dietitian when required. To discharge patients from the community caseload once the patient has achieved their aims/ goals. To be able to recognise when a patients circumstances change and to be able to hand the patient back to the qualified dietitian for a review of their nutritional plan.