Acute Dietitian

Job overview

This is a generalist post, which includes the opportunity for experience in specialist areas.  These areas include diabetes, nutritional support, oncology, paediatric dietetics and community dietetics.

To provide a comprehensive nutrition and dietetic service in the acute setting including in-patient visits and out-patient clinics within available resources.

To assist in the training and education of nursing staff, student nurses and dietetic students.

To work effectively as part of the Nutrition and Dietetic Team in Darent Valley Hospital under the guidance of the Acute Dietetic Team leader and Head of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Main duties of the job

To hold own patient caseload working on a day to day basis under the management of the Acute Dietetic team Leader or senior colleagues

To observe relevant care protocols and commence treatment where possible with the patients understanding and consent

To respond to referrals from wards and answer queries from colleagues and patients, giving specialist advice on nutrition and dietetics within the limits of experience and knowledge

To assess nutritional intake, diet and nutritional requirements, formulating a nutritional treatment plan for each patient and reviewing as needed

To make assessments using a variety of sources of information and to provide results of assessment to patients, nurses, doctors and other colleagues in verbal and written formats

To be responsible for up to 4 out-patient clinics per month in Darent Valley Hospital and to provide cover for other clinics as necessary in the Hospital/Community environment

To maintain a holistic approach to patient care and involving relatives, carers and appropriate care agencies whenever possible in the treatment plans and programmes

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

General responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

Managerial responsibilities

Professional responsibilities

Education and development responsibilities

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, please see the detailed job description and person specification for further information.