About this role
Job summary
The Nutritional Support Assistant plays a vital role in supporting the nutritional care of patients admitted with hip fractures, helping to improve recovery, rehabilitation, wound healing and overall outcomes. Working closely with Dietitians, Nurses, Catering Services, Speech and Language Therapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, the post holder identifies and addresses nutritional risks affecting patient health and recovery. Key responsibilities include screening patients for malnutrition using approved assessment tools, monitoring food and fluid intake, supporting nutritional care plans, and encouraging patients who require assistance to eat and drink. The role involves maintaining accurate records of dietary intake, weight and nutritional interventions, while promptly escalating concerns to registered healthcare professionals and Dietitians.
A significant focus is promoting nutrition and hydration among older adults who are vulnerable to malnutrition following hip fracture surgery. The post holder supports the provision of oral nutritional supplements, assists with meal ordering and protected mealtimes, and helps create a positive dining experience to maximise nutritional intake.
The Nutritional Support Assistant also contributes to nutrition and hydration improvement initiatives, supports patient and family education, and ensures compliance with local policies, food safety standards, infection prevention measures and safeguarding requirements.
Main duties of the job
Support the delivery of high-quality nutritional care for patients with neck of femur fractures on Ward 3A and those cared for as outliers on other wards. Assist in screening and monitoring patients at risk of malnutrition using approved nutritional screening tools. Collect, record and maintain accurate information, including food and fluid charts, weight records, nutritional intake data and anthropometric measurements. Support patients with prescribed oral nutritional supplements, including Aymes shakes.
Assist Dietitians in implementing nutritional interventions and monitoring patient progress.
Liaise with ward staff, Catering Services and members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure appropriate nutritional care is provided.
Provide basic dietary advice and healthy eating information within agreed protocols and competency frameworks.
Accurately input and maintain patient records on electronic systems in line with Trust policies and data protection requirements.
Participate in audits, service improvement projects and data collection to support the development of the Nutrition and Dietetic Service.
Promptly escalate concerns regarding a patient's nutritional status to the supervising Dietitian or appropriate healthcare professional.
Participate in mandatory training, supervision, appraisal and continuing professional development activities.
About us
The Nutrition Support Assistant will be part of the Trauma and Orthopaedics multidisciplinary team, supporting patients with neck of femur fractures throughout their recovery. Working closely with Dietitians, Nurses, Doctors, Allied Health Professionals and Catering Services, the post holder will help optimise nutritional status, promote healing and support rehabilitation through the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred nutritional care. We are seeking an enthusiastic, adaptable and motivated individual who is committed to improving patient experience and outcomes while contributing to the organisation's values of excellence, compassion and continuous improvement.
The successful candidate will demonstrate
Compassion and empathy when supporting patients, relatives and colleagues.
Respect for diversity, treating all individuals with dignity, kindness and fairness.
Professionalism and integrity, maintaining confidentiality and adhering to NHS values and Trust policies.
Accountability for their work and willingness to seek guidance when required.
Effective teamwork and collaboration within the multidisciplinary team.
A proactive, flexible approach to meet changing service needs.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation and record keeping.
Reliability, punctuality and commitment to high standards of care.
A commitment to continuous learning, development and service improvement.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Nutritional Support Assistant
The Nutritional Support Assistant plays an important role in supporting the nutritional care of patients admitted with hip fractures. Working closely with Dietitians, Nurses, Catering Services, Speech and Language Therapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, the post holder will help identify and address nutritional risks that may affect recovery, rehabilitation, wound healing and overall patient outcomes.
Key responsibilities include screening patients for malnutrition using approved assessment tools, monitoring food and fluid intake, supporting the implementation of nutritional care plans, and assisting patients who require encouragement or support with eating and drinking. The post holder will maintain accurate documentation of nutritional intake, weights and interventions, escalating concerns to Dietitians and other healthcare professionals as required.
A significant aspect of the role involves promoting adequate nutrition and hydration among older adults following hip fracture surgery. This includes supporting the provision of oral nutritional supplements, assisting with meal ordering and protected mealtimes, and helping to optimise the patient dining experience.
The post holder will contribute to nutrition and hydration quality improvement initiatives, support patient and family education, and ensure compliance with Trust policies, food safety standards, infection prevention procedures and safeguarding requirements. The role supports patients on the Neck of Femur Ward and hip fracture patients cared for as outliers on other wards.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Communicate effectively with patients, including those with communication difficulties.
Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality patient-centred care.
Support education, training and development activities within the Trauma and Orthopaedic service.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Support the delivery of nutritional care to patients with neck of femur fractures on Ward 3A and outlier wards.
Assist with nutritional screening and monitoring using approved assessment tools.
Maintain accurate records of food intake, weights, nutritional status and anthropometric measurements.
Support patients requiring oral nutritional supplements.
Assist Dietitians with nutritional interventions and monitoring patient progress.
Liaise with ward staff, Catering Services and the multidisciplinary team to ensure appropriate nutritional support.
Provide basic dietary and healthy eating advice within agreed competency frameworks.
Maintain nutritional resources, patient information leaflets and dietetic stock.
Record information accurately on electronic patient record systems.
Participate in audits, service improvement activities and data collection.
Escalate concerns regarding nutritional status promptly.
Comply with Trust policies, health and safety, safeguarding and infection prevention requirements.
Participate in mandatory training, supervision, appraisal and continuous professional development
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- GCSE or equivalent A*- D in English language, or equivalent (e.g certificate in adult literacy at level 1)
- GCSE A*- D or equivalent in Mathematics (e.g certificate in adult numeracy at level 1 ))
- Effective and appropriate communication skills
- Committed to providing high quality care
- Compassionate and caring attitude
- Good interpersonal and communication skills
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn
- Realiable and punctual
Desirable
- Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care or equivalent
- An understanding of basic nutritional requirements
- An ability to work independently and as part of a team
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.
Employer details
Employer name
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Great Western Road
Gloucester
GL1 3NN
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)