About this role
Job summary
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust is a large teaching hospital trust serving Plymouth and nearby areas of Devon and Cornwall.
We have a fantastic opportunity to join our team as a Specialist Acute Medical Dietitian. The Nutrition and Dietetic Department has approximately 40 WTE staff.
Derriford Hospital has approximately 1000 beds. Mount Gould Hospital currently has 24 general rehab beds.
This post will have a split base between the Nutrition and Dietetic Department of Derriford Hospital and Mount Gould Hospital.
The postholder will have a supervisory responsibility for junior dietitians, dietetic assistant and dietetic students and will contribute to resource management.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
Main duties of the job
To provide a specialist dietetic service to patients on urgent care, acute medical, respiratory and rehabilitation wards across different sites e.g. Mount Gould and Derriford hospital.
To work with MDT members and multi-agencies to provide a co-ordinated patient centred nutrition service
To support other areas of the Dietetic service during absence of colleagues, where necessary
The post holder is involved in all nutrition and dietetic departmental activities and contributes to the delivery of a Trust wide dietetic service.
The ability to travel between hospital sites, including Mount Gould Hospital and Derriford Hospital is an essential criteria for this post.
The post will involve weekend and bank holiday working.
Provide education and act as a source of knowledge and expertise in dietetics.
Develop ward based nutritional protocols and plans, participate in audit and research to improve clinical outcomes and develop the role and service.
About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Job description Job responsibilities
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
To provide expert evidence-based advice to patients, carers and health care professionals regarding the provision of nutritional care for urgent care, acute medical, respiratory and rehab patients. This will involve nutritional diagnosis (including interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometrics, clinical condition and diet history) and the development and monitoring of treatment goals and plans. Including oral nutritional support and enteral nutrition as appropriate.
To act as a clinical resource, providing specialist knowledge to members of the dietetic department (and other staff as required) on nutrition support required in general medical/respiratory patients including in both an acute and non-acute setting.
Participate as a core-member in multidisciplinary team meetings. Attend ward rounds as necessary.
To provide clinical support and cover for other staff as requested by the team lead.
Be proactive and collaborative in clinical decision making underpinned by an enhanced level of theoretical and practical knowledge.
Demonstrate a 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 be experienced in the use of anthropometric equipment for assessment of nutritional status, such as weighing equipment, hand grip dynamometer and interpretation of results.
To maintain accurate and timely dietetic patient records in line with national and local record keeping standards.
To supervise and co-ordinate the safe and timely discharge of patients on artificial nutritional support, liaising with hospital and community services.
Monitor the delivery of services and participate in audits as advised by the Line Manager or Head of Department.
For further information please see attached job description
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
BSc in Dietetics or equivalent HCPC registration as a Dietitian Evidence of recent CPD Completion of a Clinical Supervisory skills course
Desirable
Completion of BDA PENG clinical update course Completion of a behaviour Change /Motivational interviewing course
Knowledge Essential
Demonstrable evidence of significant dietetic experience in a wide range of clinical areas in particular general medicine and respiratory. Demonstrable experience of working with patients with long term conditions Demonstrable experience of enteral feeding and enteral feeding tubes Demonstrable experience of working in a multidisciplinary team Demonstrable training, supervisory and teaching experience. Sound knowledge of relevant clinical guidelines for a broad range of patients, including respiratory diseases, neurological conditions, learning disabilities and mental health conditions (i.e. disordered eating and eating disorders).
Desirable
Demonstrable experience of managing junior staff Demonstrable experience of clinical audit and service improvement Demonstrable experience of developing evidence-based resources, guidelines or protocols
Aptitude & Abilities Essential
Able to work autonomously and organise a varied workload Competent with using technology including electronic records, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, data collection and dietary analysis Effective teaching and presentation skills Demonstrable evidence of experience of practical skills of nutritional support
Desirable
Proven ability to lift feeding equipment / deliver feeding supplies to patients on wards
Other Factors Essential
Proven ability to travel between UHP sites
Desirable
BDA member
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address Derriford Hospital
Derriford Road
PLYMOUTH
PL6 8DH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)