Band 4 Dietetic Assistant Practitioner - Bristol

Job overview

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Dietetic Assistant Practitioner to join our Dietetics team based at Callington Road Hospital. This is an exciting opportunity to support the delivery of high-quality nutritional care within a specialist mental health setting.

You will work closely with registered Dietitians and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver evidence-based nutritional interventions to service users across inpatient mental health services.

Right to Work in the UK: This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application, as the organisation is unable to support sponsorship for this post.

Main duties of the job

• To assist qualified Dietitians in the delivery of the therapy service to a specified caseload of inpatients.
• To work without direct supervision, undertaking talks that fall within the remit of the non-complex patient.  This can include initial assessments.
• To routinely act as first contact with the non-complex patient.
• To carry own caseload of non-complex patients, devising and implementing treatment programmes with reference to a qualified Dietitian.
• Assisting qualified dietetic staff with the assessment of complex cases and ongoing management.
• To provide nutrition focussed group activities for inpatients.
• To provide ongoing nutrition screening training for inpatient staff.
• To provide administrative support for the Nutrition and Dietetic team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details please refer to the job description, part of which is shown below:

Clinical

• Implementation of treatment plans.
• Assessing nutritional intake and taking diet histories.
• Independently evaluating and progressing patients dietetic care plans.
• Deliver nutrition support / basic dietary advice.
• Advising and educating patients where necessary on menu options and foods suitable for their dietary needs.
• Identifying food and drink preferences as necessary with regard to snacks and supplements.
• Carrying own caseload of non-complex patients including decisions on discharge.
• Discharging patients on own caseload.
• Providing education to patients, relatives and ward staff.
• Direct assistance to qualified staff with more complex patients.
• Onward referral.  Signpost to external agencies and organisations.

• To work without direct supervision but under the direction of the qualified staff in the performance of specific tasks for an individual or group of patients as part of their treatment programmes.  Duties may include:
• To be involved in the induction , training, development and supervision of volunteers, students and dietetic assistants.
• To write progress notes in a concise, accurate and timely manner in line with departmental standards.  These notes do not require qualified staff to countersignature.
• To be aware at all times of the needs of patients during illness or disability and to promote and encourage suitable nutrition strategies.
• To undertake any non-clinical / clerical duties as necessary.  This may include maintaining stock levels, filing, dealing with telephone calls, cleaning, arranging training, completing onwards referrals.
• To be actively involved in the communication of information regarding patients conditions and any other useful information to the dietitians and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• To communicate effectively with patients and carers.  Communication skills of persuasion, motivations and explanation will be required.  Barriers to communication may include loss of hearing, altered perception, pain and language disorders.
• To be involved in the delivery, collection, cleaning and maintenance of dietetic equipment.
• Working alongside ward staff to facilitate appropriate dietary measures are in place.