Bhsct Specialist Dietitian Band 6

Belfast Health And Social Care Trust; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust seeks a Specialist Dietitian in Critical Care based at the Royal Victoria Hospital. You will be part of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, RVH, Band 6, reporting to the Clinical Lead Critical Care.

The role focuses on delivering high-quality, evidence-based nutritional care to critically ill patients. You will work with multidisciplinary teams, manage a complex caseload, and contribute to policy development and discharge planning within Northern

Qualifications

• Clinical specialist with ability to manage a complex caseload in critical care.
• Advanced clinical reasoning and use of anthropometric measurements.
• Ability to interpret complex biochemical data and tailor nutrition prescriptions.

Responsibilities

• Support the Nutrition and Dietetic Service Manager in developing a quality service within BHSCT.
• Manage a specialised clinical caseload and undertake complex assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of critical care patients.
• Lead formulation of dietetic treatment plans for patients in critical care using advanced clinical judgement.
• Provide training and education to patients and carers on enteral feeding and dietary management.

Skills

Critical care

Nutrition assessment

Dietary counselling

Education

Masters level training

Job description

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