Dietitian

Job title - Dietician
Reporting to Therapy Services Manager
Main Purpose Develops, implements and evaluates dietary and nutritional plans designed to promote the physical well-being of patients within our units. Key Accountabilities Quality 1. Receives and responds promptly to referrals, undertaking consultations and assessments to determine effective dietary and nutritional plans for assigned clients using appropriate interventions. 2. Plans, monitors and reviews dietary and nutritional interventions ensuring they continue to meet the needs of the patient and are consistent with the provisions detailed in the client’s general therapy plan. 3. Manages, monitors and reviews an assigned caseload, providing clinical supervision of dietary and nutritional plans and through regular consultation and liaison with professional and clinical colleagues. 4. Maintains accurate and up-to-date records in the form of case notes, case files, clinical reports, computerised system information and other associated documentation, presenting and sharing relevant information and knowledge concerning assigned clients with professional and clinical colleagues at regular multi-disciplinary team meetings. 5. Liaises with professional and clinical colleagues providing professional advice and guidance, facilitating related group therapy sessions and assisting with the analysis of statistical data and information for research and audit purposes. Innovation 6. Identifies, evaluates and implements new and improved methods, techniques and interventions based upon best practice and evidence based research. Value 7. Regularly reviews the services and pricing points and adjusting I accordance to the demand for the service.  Dietician, October 2012 Page 2 of 3 Knowledge & Skills A degree in dietetics or nutrition together with a relevant post-graduate qualification in relevant specialism. The role holder must be HPC registered and a member of a relevant professional institution. Experience Relevant experience gained within an appropriate setting where the role holder has acquired firsthand experience of developing interventions for both physical and psychological conditions. Autonomy & Impact As the unit’s specialist the role holder has a significant degree of autonomy when planning and implementing dietary and nutritional interventions for assigned patients. They will be expected to provide professional/clinical advice to colleagues and to enhance the understanding and learning of therapists and nursing staff with regard to dietetics and nutrition. Intelligent Problem Solving The majority of problem solving relies upon acquired knowledge and experience where the role holder may have to adapt existing methods, techniques or interventions. The role holder will be expected to implement improvements to methods, techniques and interventions using the latest examples of evidence based research and best practice within the field. Responsibility Staff Responsible for the occasional supervision of students and trainees temporarily assigned to the unit. Budgets & equipment Shared responsibility for the care and operation of standard equipment. Informatics Responsibility for the confidentiality, security and accuracy of assigned patient records, data and information. Communication & Interaction Communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills are critical as the role holder must convince and persuade patients, their families or carers to adopt new and sometimes exacting dietary regimes and eating behaviours. Working environment The problems faced by patients may present challenging situations, which may increase the physical, sensory and emotional demands of the role. Special Features The role holder is required to participate in regular clinical supervision