Advertised role location: ROYAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL
Official document: Band 6_Specialist Dietitian, Critical Care (doc)
JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Specialist Dietitian Critical Care

LOCATION: Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, RVH

BAND: 6

REPORTS TO: Band 8A Clinical Lead Critical Care

RESPONSIBLE TO: Nutrition and Dietetic Service Manager

Job Summary / Main Purpose

To support the Nutrition and Dietetic Services Manager and the site/team lead in the development and management of a quality Nutrition and Dietetic Service within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
To provide a high quality, evidence based nutritional service to patients referred to the nutrition and dietetic service.
To work closely with the specialist multidisciplinary teams in critical care.
Use specialised knowledge to manage a caseload in critical care.

Main Duties / Responsibilities
For each of the following, the postholder will;

Support the Nutrition and Dietetic Service Manager and site/team lead in the provision and development of a quality service within BHSCT.
As a clinical specialist and integral member of the BHSCT team have the expertise to manage a specialised clinical caseload and undertake complicated assessment , diagnosis, management and treatment of patients within critical care, whilst knowing your limitations and seeking advice from senior staff when necessary.
Work autonomously using professional judgement and advanced clinical expertise to assess, interpret and analyse highly complex clinical data and take the lead on formulation of dietetic treatment plan for those patients in the critical care units.
Undertake anthropometric measurements using anthropometric equipment to measure mid arm circumference (MAC), Mid arm muscle circumference(MAMC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) using callipers and handgrip dynamometry.
Monitor biochemical blood profiles, interpret clinical information and have responsibility for devising and revising oral/ enteral nutrition prescriptions and regimens for inpatients and outpatients.
Use advanced dietary counselling and motivational interviewing to formulate dietary treatments, which are complex, individual to the patient.

Make recommendations regarding specialist nutritional products based on clinical condition and monitor their effectiveness, modifying treatment using clinical and professional judgement.
Advise patients and/or carers/staff on the management of their dietary treatment.
Provide training to patients and carers on the management of the enteral tube feeding system and associated equipment for discharge home.
Advise and liaise with catering staff concerning the dietary needs of inpatients and to assist in instructing chefs on the preparation of special meals. To co-ordinate menu planning for patients requiring critical care.
Liaise with the appropriate dietetic/ward staff should patients who remain under your nutritional care be admitted to another hospital within Northern Ireland.
Attend ward rounds, MDT meetings, case reviews and participate in discharge planning for patients ensuring it is well co-ordinated and seamless.
Assist in the operational management of elective waiting lists where required.
Provide cover for other dietetic staff when required.
Develop and evaluate nutrition resource materials as required.
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of current research literature and dietetic practice with particular reference to critical care.
Be aware of national policy, guidelines and consultations and in conjunction with the team leader, develop local/regional policies and care pathways within critical care.
Support the team leader or assistant dietetic manager through attending regional meetings and representing BHSCT when required.
Provide input to relevant local and regional working groups and agencies as appropriate.
Participate in unidisciplinary and multidisciplinary audit and quality improvement initiatives.
Participate in dietary surveys, trials or pilot projects as required.

Communication
Maintain advanced level communication skills including counselling skills, motivation and behaviour change strategies.
Maintain effective communication with the MDT and other health professionals, internal and external to the Trust.
Work autonomously, using professional judgement and advanced clinical expertise to interpret and analyse highly complex situations. This will include using advanced negotiating skills in situations which are highly emotional and challenging following life changing diagnosis.
Have the ability to communicate with patients with a learning disability, people who speak a foreign language or others with barriers to communication, as may be the case with critical care patients, using adapted resources and accessing interpreters when necessary to ensure effective communication and understanding of complex dietary information.
Have the ability to communicate effectively with patients and/or carers to ensure compliance with and understanding of very detailed and complicated treatments within the hospital and community settings.

Education and Training
Educate adults, their families and carers as inpatients/outpatients about their nutritional care, taking into consideration social background, communication difficulties or psychological factors that may have an impact on learning or understanding.
Maintain responsibility for own professional development and identify training needs, taking part in the staff development and review process.
Undertake post registration training as deemed necessary by Team Leader to fulfil the duties of the post.
In addition to relevant clinical experience and expertise will also possess advanced knowledge gained from recognised post graduate training at Masters level.
Promote a culture of education and learning among colleagues, taking account individual development needs.
Develop and evaluate nutritional training and resource materials, e.g. training packs, educational tools, leaflets, posters etc.
Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of evidence based regional and national guidelines in the area of speciality.
Act as an educational resource and provide practical training and lectures for dietitians, other professionals and University students and present at professional conferences across the region and throughout Ireland and the UK.
Investigate research opportunities and initiate or participate in research or clinical trials as requested by medical staff in liaison with team lead and the Nutrition and Dietetic services Manager.
Mentor and clinically supervise junior members of dietetic staff.
Participate in student dietetic training programme in BHSCT.
Participate in peer review.

Professional and Organisational
Ensure the impact of clinical governance and risk management is understood and working practices comply with standards.
Ensure as far as possible the health, safety and welfare of patients, staff and self under the terms of current Health and Safety legislation and to comply with the trust Health and Safety policy.
Promote evidence based practice in the management of patients within your care.
Be an active member of the dietetic team within the nutrition and dietetic service by contributing to staff meetings and sharing expertise.
Prioritise own work area to ensure a balance between clinical, education and training responsibilities.
Keep high quality accurate patient records to agreed departmental standards, and to ensure patient confidentially is maintained.
Collate statistical data for use in performance management and to inform service development and business cases.
Require highly developed computer skills requiring data entry and analysis. Should be able to utilise appropriate IT packages such as Encompass, Nutritics, NIECR.
Maintain professional standards and be willing to undertake professional updating, and PCF.

Adhere to HCPC Standards of Proficiency – Dietitians, Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and Professional Standards.
Undertake training required to carry out the responsibilities and tasks associated with the job, including mandatory training.
Mentor dietetic students and junior members of the dietetic team and effectively manage underperformance and deal with delicate personal issues whilst maintaining confidentiality.
Assist in the recruitment and selection of staff when necessary.
Assist in staff induction.
Assist with any other appropriate relevant duties as deemed necessary by the Nutrition and Dietetics Services Manager/Clinical Services Manager.
The post holder may be required to work shifts, weekends, out of hours and statutory days. In response to continued service development, the duties of the post may be conducted over a 7 day period.

Information Management
Ensure the effective use of all Trust information management policies and procedures in the designated clinical area.
Ensure systems and procedures for the management and storage of information in their team meet internal and external reporting requirements.
Ensure compliance with all Trust IT guidelines and policies.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:
At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with Belfast Trust’s Whistleblowing Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.
Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance  

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails.  All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognises the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

This includes:-

Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);
Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;
Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;
Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);
Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps) and laundry;
Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;
Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.

http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE / BAND: Specialist Dietitian Critical Care / Band 6

DEPT / DIRECTORATE: Nutrition & Dietetics / Adult Community, Older People,
AHP’S

Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined below at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.
You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Qualifications
Registration
Experience
Degree or Diploma in Nutrition and/or Dietetics OR a related Degree with post graduate qualification in Dietetics.
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council in dietetics (or eligible for registration at time of appointment).
Have completed post graduate/masters level PENG or advanced clinical nutrition course or willingness to undertake on appointment.
Have a minimum of 18 months’ post registration clinical experience in dietetics at a minimum band 5.
Previous experience in working with patients requiring enteral tube feeding.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other (e.g. Driving etc.)

Hold a current full driving license valid in the UK/Ireland and access to a car on appointment.
‘Where disability prohibits driving, this criteria will be waived if the applicant is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements.’

Shortlisting by Application Form

Knowledge
Skills
Abilities

Knowledge on formulating, implementing and managing dietary treatments/artificial nutrition regimens for patients in critical care.
Ability to demonstrate effective communication skills.
Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Desirable criteria will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.

Factor
Criteria
Method of Assessment

Qualifications
Registration
Experience

Membership of relevant BDA specialist interest groups for example : Critical specialist interest group.

Shortlisting by Application Form

NOTE:
Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy of same issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.

Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

HSC Values

Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to the following values for this role