Dietetic Assistant

JOB PURPOSE To provide clinical and administrative support to dietitians working with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The post holder works independently, but all patient related work is directed by a dietitian and conducted according to policies and procedures. 3. JOB DIMENSIONS Assists the dietitians in the provision of clinical advice to patients and carers Assists the dietitians in delivering teaching and education to patients and care providers Assists the dietitians in the provision of in-service training to healthcare staff and dietetic students Liaises with pharmacists in the control of ward stock levels of nutritional / dietary products This role requires the individual to show initiative in assisting and supporting dietetic staff Be an active member of the Dietetic out of hours service as required under the supervision of a dietitian.

**Our five values are**: Patient-centred Collaborative Fair Accountable Empowered All our actions and endeavours will be guided and evaluated through these values Additionally the following are core values which relate specifically to this post: Comply with Trust and departmental policies and procedures Maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with Trust policies Is compassionate and ethical in their involvement with the provision of dietetic care Demonstrate a commitment to personal development 7. WEST YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF ACUTE TRUSTS (WYAAT) Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is part of the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT), a collaborative of the NHS hospital trusts from across West Yorkshire and Harrogate working together to provide the best possible care for our patients. By bringing together the wide range of skills and expertise across West Yorkshire and Harrogate we are working differently, innovating and driving forward change to deliver the highest quality care. By working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust this is your opportunity to be a part of that change.

WYAAT is the acute sector arm of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, one of the largest integrated care systems in the country. The Partnerships ambition is for everyone to have the best possible health and wellbeing, and the work of WYAAT, and each individual trust, supports that ambition. 8. CORE BEHAVIOURS AND SKILLS The post holder will be expected to: Be self-motivated, confident and enthusiastic with a professional attitude Be a good team player, with the ability to work flexibly in a diverse and demanding environment to meet the evolving needs of the department Communicate sensitively and effectively with patients, families and carers, colleagues and all other healthcare professionals Be professional in appearance and conduct Demonstrate a willingness to undergo all training requirements necessary for the post Demonstrate good office practice in accordance with departmental policies and procedures Proactively participate in departmental development projects meetings clinical updates and audits Have a mature, pleasant, helpful and friendly nature Demonstrate the ability to communicate with empathy and understanding 9.

CORE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Understanding of Nutrition & Dietetics Awareness of Health & Safety Diversity Awareness Understanding of Safeguarding requirements Understanding of legislation, guidelines and protocols that effect the clinical area Awareness of the functional effects of the patient group in the clinical area caused by illness and / or disability 10. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY Assist in the nutritional assessment and monitoring of dietetic patients by visiting specific wards and telephoning patients. This may involve the following: Measure and / or record patients weight and / or their height in the dietetic record charts Record nutritional intake from food record charts and dietary supplement usage in liaison with patients, carers or ward staff Retrieve and record biochemical results from either the medical notes or the computer system Liaise with designated in-patients on a therapeutic diet to ascertain food preferences and advise on suitable coded choices Assess individual patients compliance and consumption of prescribed dietary supplements / enteral feeds Liaise with pharmacy / wards to ensure that special feeds. supplements reach the designated patients Provide information and advice to patients and carers on the use of enteral feeding equipment prior to discharge from hospital Liaise with home enteral feeding companies and complete relevant paperwork to register new patients deliveries under dietetic guidance Amend existing patients deliveries under dietetic guidance Liaise with other health care professionals in areas outside Leeds if patients require registering with home enteral feeding companies Assist with the telephone liaison with Home Enteral Feeding Company Nurses regarding training and visits for home enteral feed patients Ensure that appropriate supply of supplements ha