Special Feeds Unit Assistant

Job overview

• To prepare and label, to an exacting standard of accuracy, complex and specialised infant and enteral feed
• Supply specialised infant and enteral feeds to wards.
• To work within standards of practice in accordance with Food Hygiene and Health and Safety Regulations
• To assist with any duties which contribute to the efficient management of the Special Feeds Unit (SFU) and deputise for the SFU supervisor when required.

Main duties of the job

• Prepare specialised infant and enteral feeds in accordance with patient worksheets.

Accurately label all feeds.

Select feeds for blast chilling or refrigeration.

Deliver feeds to ward areas in a timely manner.

Remove out-of-date feeds from ward areas and place new feeds in ward refrigerator.

Order and amend patient feed worksheets at weekends and at other times in the absence of a dietitian this will include checking of the dietetic therapist desktop for any new referrals and changes to feeds and action appropriately with the guidance of the on-call dietitian.

Deal with phone calls and staff visits to the SFU to ensure the query is acted on efficiently and effectively.

Carry out thorough and intensive cleaning of the SFU and equipment in accordance with SFU cleaning policies.

Stock check, rotate stock by date and re-stock for following day.

Assist with stock deliveries and report any stock shortages of both feed and equipment.

Demonstrate to parents and carers correct preparation of complex feeds as and when requested to do so by dietetic staff.

Receive, label and store correctly expressed breast milk.

Develop and maintain sufficient knowledge of all feeds to be able to select suitable feeds in the absence of dietetic advice, to recognise errors in feed requests and take corrective action.

Be aware of and act on all policies and procedures, particularly equipment breakdown, emergency policies and lone working.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Prioritise workload to ensure that feeds are made in a timely way whilst ensuring attention to detail in selection and measuring of feed ingredients.
• Deputise for the SFU supervisor undertaking electronic ordering of supplies and management of day to day rota changes when needed.
• In the absence of the SFU supervisor ensure that any problems or outstanding issues are brought to the attention of the Head of Dietetics or the nominated deputy.
• Check and sign the enhanced hours payment sheet for processing to payroll.
• Engage in a process of personal development review (PDR) to ensure continued competence to meet the needs of the patient, the SFU and the wider Trust.
• Comply with Trust Health and Safety requirements including maintenance of mandatory and statutory training requirements.

Applicant requirements

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.