Senior Dietitian

Medforce; Kildare; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Medforce is seeking a Senior Dietitian for a Community Nursing Unit. The role focuses on nutrition assessment, planning and addressing malnutrition in older adults in both community and unit settings.

The postholder will work within a multidisciplinary team to optimise nutrition care, support healthy ageing and improve quality of life for residents with complex needs. Relevant senior experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in Dietetics recognised by the regulatory authority.
• 3+ years post-qualification experience.
• Experience in clinical dietetics with older adults.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate individualised nutrition care plans.
• Manage patients at risk of or experiencing malnutrition, frailty, sarcopenia and other chronic conditions.
• Prescribe and monitor oral nutritional supplements per guidelines.
• Provide dietary advice for therapeutic diets for older adults.
• Review interventions and adjust care plans based on outcomes.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical documentation.
• Collaborate with nurses, GPs, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, SLT, pharmacists, social workers and HC staff.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and case conferences.
• Support discharge planning and continuity of nutritional care between acute and community services.
• Contribute to care planning for residents needing palliative nutrition support.
• Deliver education sessions to residents, families, carers and staff.
• Develop educational resources promoting healthy ageing and nutrition.
• Provide training on screening, fortification and hydration.
• Promote best practice in nutrition and hydration within the unit.

Skills

Clinical Dietetics

Nutritional assessment

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Degree or postgraduate qualification in Dietetics

Job description

Senior Dietitian – Community Nursing Unit

The Community Dietitian will provide high-quality, evidence-based nutritional assessment, intervention, education, and support for older adults residing in a Community Nursing Unit and those receiving care in the community. The postholder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to optimise nutritional status, prevent and manage malnutrition, support healthy ageing, and improve quality of life for older people with complex medical, functional, and social needs. I will discuss this role with a Senior or Staff Grade

Responsibilities of Senior Dietitian

• Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate individualised nutrition care plans.
• Manage patients at risk of or experiencing malnutrition, frailty, sarcopenia, pressure ulcers, dysphagia (in collaboration with Speech and Language Therapy), diabetes, renal disease, dementia and other chronic conditions.
• Prescribe and monitor oral nutritional supplements in accordance with local guidelines.
• Provide dietary advice for therapeutic diets appropriate to older adults.
• Review nutritional interventions and adjust care plans according to clinical outcomes.
• Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant clinical documentation.

• Work collaboratively with nurses, GPs, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, pharmacists, social workers and healthcare assistants.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences.
• Support discharge planning and continuity of nutritional care between acute and community services.
• Contribute to care planning for residents requiring palliative or end-of-life nutritional support.

• Deliver education sessions to residents, families, carers and healthcare staff.
• Develop educational resources promoting healthy ageing and good nutrition.
• Provide training on nutritional screening, food fortification and hydration.
• Promote best practice in nutrition and hydration within the Community Nursing Unit.

Responsibilities of Dietitian

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in Dietetics recognised by the appropriate regulatory authority.
• 3+ Years post qualification experience

• Experience in clinical dietetics.
• Experience managing older adults with complex nutritional needs.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Knowledge of nutritional screening and management of malnutrition.