Band 4 Dietetic Assistant Practitioner

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire; Coventry; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust in Coventry is seeking a Band 4 Dietetic Assistant Practitioner to support inpatient dietetics across University Hospital, Coventry and St Cross Hospital, Rugby, covering multiple specialties. Under supervision, you will assist with oral dietary management, nutritional monitoring, discharge planning for enteral nutrition and group education.

You will work with dietitians, catering and ward staff to ensure high-quality feeding and nutrition

Responsibilities

• Review nutritional care plans under Dietitians to maximise nutritional status.
• Support inpatient teams in delivering group education on nutritional management.
• Assist in ordering and monitoring hospital Nutritional Products.
• Support ward-level feeding, dietary education, and nutrition support.
• Assist in follow-up with Dietetics for dietary advice and nutrition support.
• Liaise with catering, nursing and dietetic staff to ensure satisfactory meal service.
• Assist in menu planning and dietary analysis as appropriate.
• Record anthropometry (weight, height, BMI) and check Nutrition Risk Score (MUST).
• Obtain biochemical results via EPR as requested by Dietitians.
• Review low/moderate risk malnutrition patients assessed by Dietitians.
• Encourage patients to follow prescribed nutrition plans.
• Coordinate with Dietitians and ward staff on patient monitoring and progress.
• Review prescriptions of nutritional supplements within boundaries.
• Calculate protein and energy requirements.
• Communicate with GPs to arrange community supplements.
• Deliver feeding products to wards on discharge and register in databases.
• Register patients on enteral feed and ancillary deliveries database.
• Provide telephone follow-up for patients per Dietitians’ direction.
• Participate in nutrition review process for in-patients.
• Develop dietetic displays and raise department profile.

Job description

This post is for a Band 4 Dietetic Assistant Practitioner at UHCW NHS Trust. The post will cover a variety of specialities and areas across the Trust at both University Hospital, Coventry and St Cross Hospital, Rugby. UHCW NHS Trust is a teaching hospital with a range of specialities including neurology, major trauma, stroke, elderly care, cardiology, respiratory, maternity, critical care, gastroenterology, surgery, nutrition support, oncology, and renal. Additionally we also provide Dietetic support in diabetes, specialist weight management, paediatrics and community settings. The post holder will work under the supervision of the inpatient Dietitians to provide support with the oral dietary management and nutritional monitoring (documentation, anthropometrics, biochemical) of patients in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. Additionally, they will also assist in the discharge planning process for patients going home on enteral nutrition. Closing Date: Please be advised that this job advert will close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

1. To work under the supervision of the inpatient Dietitians to review nutritional care plans aiming to maximise nutritional status.
2. To support the inpatient teams in delivery of group education to improve nutritional management for inpatients.
3. To support the Dietetic Department with the ordering and monitoring of Nutritional Products for the hospital.
4. To work as part of the inpatient teams supporting the provision of high-quality feeding practice and nutritional support at ward level and dietary education to patients.
5. To work under the supervision of the inpatient teams to provide follow up for patients referred to Dietetics for dietary advice, and nutrition support, using behavioural management techniques to overcome barriers to change.
6. To liaise with catering, nursing and dietetic staff to ensure the provision of a satisfactory meal service for in-patients.
7. To assist in menu planning including carrying out dietary analysis as appropriate
8. To obtain patients, weight, height, calculate BMI and check Nutrition Risk Score ('MUST') as appropriate., To obtain patients' biochemical results using the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) System as requested by Dietitians using defined criteria.
9. To review patients assessed to be at low or moderate risk of malnutrition, who have been assessed by Dietitians.
10. To encourage patients to eat and drink their prescribed nutrition to maximise their nutritional intake and status.
11. To liaise with Dietitians and ward staff regarding patients monitoring and progress.
12. To review prescriptions of nutritional supplements and snacks within agreed boundaries.
13. To calculate nutritional requirements for protein and energy.
14. To process communications with GP's to arrange supplements in the community as requested by the Dietitian
15. To deliver feeding products and equipment to wards for patients being discharged on artificial feeding as requested by Dietitians and community nutrition nurses and register patients on the internet based database
16. To register patients on the internet based database for enteral feed and ancillary deliveries
17. To provide telephone follow-up for patients as selected by the Dietitians
18. To actively participate in the nutrition review process for in-patients.
19. To develop dietetic displays for in-patients and to raise the profile of the Dietetic Department as required.
20. To measure patient's anthropometry (i.e. Mid upper arm circumference, mid arm muscle circumference, hand grip dynamometry and bed scale weights) in selected patients to monitor nutritional status

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do. Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare. We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence®designated organisation. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk). By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.