Job summary
- Main area
- Nutrition
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 344-3389COR
- Employer
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital
- Town
- Margate
- Salary
- £26,530 - £29,114 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 28/01/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Nutrition Associate Practitioner
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
The position advertised is for a Qualified Nursing Associate to work as part of the friendly nutrition team at QEQM.
Our mission is to provide every patient with safe, timely and appropriate nutritional care.
Reporting to the Registered Specialist Practitioner for Nutrition & Hydration, the post holder will support acutely ill patients with their nutritional needs and be a knowledgeable resource to clinical staff in the organisation. The successful candidate will need excellent interpersonal and organisational skills in order to help take the Nutrition and Hydration Strategy forwards.
Some previous experience in nutrition is desirable and extensive experience of working as a healthcare support worker or equivalent in an acute clinical environment is essential.
The role lies within Corporate Nursing but has close working relationships with other Care Groups and professional colleagues.
For further information about the role contact the Lead Nurse for Nutrition - Fleur Hartley on 07974612731 or email [email protected]
Main duties of the job
Supported by the Registered Specialist Practitioner for Nutrition and Hydration, the post holder will support acutely ill patients with their nutritional needs through:
- Providing person centered, compassionate and safe care for those with complex nutritional requirements.
- Providing targeted assistance for patients at mealtimes.
- Supporting ward teams to screen patients for malnutrition within agreed standards.
- Providing administrative support to the site based nutrition support team as required.
- Provide support in care of all types of enteral feeding tubes.
- Provide training to wards and staff in all aspects of tube care
Working for our organisation
We are looking to increase our existing caring and compassionate team with nurses who are keen and enthusiastic; in return we can offer you a stimulating working environment which will develop the skills and abilities required in our specialty. To help you do this you will supported by a multidisciplinary team.
We offer a full package of benefits, including a car lease scheme; on-site childcare; generous annual leave in line with NHS terms and conditions; high street and public transport discounts; a 24/7 staff support service - and the little things that make life easier, like on-site Amazon lockers and fresh fruit and veg stalls.
Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.
PLEASE NOTE - SPONSORSHIP CANNOT BE PROVIDED FOR THIS ROLE
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Support ward staff to competently undertake malnutrition screening and nurse led swallow screen for patients.
- Refer patients to dietetic and speech and language teams appropriately to enable a holistic approach to nutritional support for patients.
- Provide support to ward teams in the delivery of high standards at mealtimes and for all aspects of food and hydration.
- Provide support to ward teams caring for patients with enteral and parenteral artificial nutrition
- Provide support to patients who have enteral feeding tubes in situ – providing education, overseeing best practice and providing troubleshooting where required
- Work independently within context of clinical competency framework developed specifically for specialist band 4 role
- Act as the patient advocate at all times.
- Liaise with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure high quality nutritional care for patients, including medical staff, nurse colleagues and therapists.
- Provide support to the Nutrition Support Team by attending the Nutrition MDT ward round and completing the documentation required.
- Work with Ward staff to ensure patients requiring assistance with eating and drinking are safely identified and supported, whilst maintaining patient dignity.
- Working in collaboration with other specialist team, for example mouth care, dementia, tissue viability
- Assist in the maintenance and monitoring of agreed standards, ensuring any shortfall is escalated to the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Nutrition and Hydration.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Extensive experience of working as a healthcare support worker or equivalent.
- Substantial experience of working in an acute clinical environment.
Desirable criteria
- Experience in the role of a nutrition link worker/champion.
- Some previous experience in nutrition is desirable
Skills
Essential criteria
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to develop effective working relationships with colleagues across the multidisciplinary teams.iew
- Ability to understand the clinical impact of nutritional care on the patient experience.
- Working knowledge of the audit process.
- Ability to work alone using own initiative, but also work collaboratively as part of a team.
Desirable criteria
- Undertaken audits and used results to implement action plans to improve care.
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Knowledge and understanding of malnutrition and its effects on patient wellbeing.
- Knowledge of the effects of poor nutritional care on patient experience and their mental and physical health.
- Knowledge of clinical issues relating to nutritional care and oral hydration.
- Demonstrates a patient focussed approach.
Desirable criteria
- Extensive knowledge of nutritional care and options to improve a patient’s nutritional status.
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Achieved NVQ level 2 or above in Care, or willing to work towards, or equivalent.
- Evidence of continuing personal and professional development.
Desirable criteria
- Foundation Degree in Nursing Associate
- NMC Registration (or working towards)
Other
Essential criteria
- Upholds and models the Trust values
- Flexible and adaptable.
- Willing and able to support all levels of clinical staff.
- Open and honest.
Desirable criteria
- Ability to work on own initiative using sound decision-making and problem solving skills.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Fleur Hartley
- Job title
- Lead Nurse for Nutrition
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07974612731
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