Dietitian - Band 5

Job overview

To provide an in-patient service by advising on the management and treatment of adult patients on surgical, gastroenterology, medical, orthopaedic and Care of the Elderly wards.

To gain knowledge in all factors involved in complex decision-making around nutrition support, as well as nutrition in critical illness.    To provide an out-patient service to referred patients within Colchester Hospital and community locations.

Provide training on nutrition in adult patients as required.

Caseload will be subject to change to meet the fluctuation in demand and capacity within the team.

This is a fixed term until 30/03/2025

Internal applicants currently employed by ESNEFT will be offered on a secondment basis only

Main duties of the job

To provide a dietetic service to inpatients, outpatients and carers within East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (Colchester site and North East Essex Community)

To provide nutritional assessment and dietetic intervention, on an individual basis, using biochemistry, anthropometry, clinical condition and other physical parameters, contributing to the diagnosis of nutrition related disorders

To effectively support the management of inpatient capacity and demand through managing the acute pooled caseload as a member of the acute team, using relevant triage and data capturing processes.

To communicate effectively with patients, carers and other health professionals to ensure understanding of therapeutic diets and/or nutritional support

To be aware of barriers to effective communication and to use communication skills to overcome these barriers

To discuss / instruct medical, nursing, other HCP and catering staff to effect change in the patients’ nutritional status

To communicate patient-related information effectively to relevant parties to ensure seamless care is provided

To decide priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands

To work in accordance with the standards set by the British Dietetic Association and the Health and Care Professions Council

To participate in departmental and clinical audit

To support other members of the team and provide cover in their absence

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.