Job summary
Employer heading
Dietetic Assistant Practitioner
Band 4
Our Vision is to provide the best mental health, learning disability, autism and community based services for the populations we serve.
As an integrated mental health, learning disability and community Trust, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including:
• Primary and secondary mental health care for children and adults including specialist inpatient child and adolescent mental health provision, perinatal mental health, forensic services including low and medium secure care.
• Specialist community support for children and adults with learning disabilities and autism, including intensive support.
• Community physical health and well-being services for children and adults.
The Trust was first established in 2002 and employs approximately 7,000 staff who provide care from more than 400 sites. The organisation offers opportunities for medics, mental health and general nurses, allied health professionals, psychology, administration and clerical staff, apprentices and volunteers.
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust supports flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, home/remote working, and flexi-time.
For more information visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Dietetic Assistant Practioner to join our established Community Nutrition and Dietetics team in Central Lancashire. This is an exciting dietetic opportunity for anyone passionate about working in the community.
Main duties of the job
Your key responsibilities will include
- To safely use agreed assessment tools as appropriate to collect up to date anthropometric data from patients.
- To organise the collection and analysis of food record diaries from patients as required in liaison with Care Home Support Workers and patients as relevant.
- To undertake nutritional assessment and calculate nutritional requirements, developing, monitoring and reviewing nutritional care plans of referred patients across Preston, Chorley and South Ribble in consultation with a Registered Dietitian, to help individual patients achieve their goals
- To advise patients, carers and other healthcare professionals on alternative dietary supplements, which may enable patients to meet their nutritional requirements, in liaison with the Registered Dietitian.
- To assist the Dietitians in the transfer of patients on home enteral feeding or sip feeds between health care providers.
- To liaise and work collaboratively with all members of relevant multi-disciplinary teams to ensure appropriate care pathways.
- To work independently to provide training, advice & guidance to patients, carers and District Nurses regarding nutrition support. This training will include delivery of MUST training and monitor outcomes of this training
- To provide additional support to the Home Enteral Feeding Specialist Dietitian
- To work in line with all relevant legislation, national and local policies, procedures and standards in a variety of community and residential settings.
- To work on a day-to-day basis supporting patients who may have a learning disability, terminal illness or require palliative care, and their carers/relatives.
- To undertake clinical work in a home or clinic setting
Working for our organisation
We are looking for an enthusiastic, friendly and confident person to join the Community Nutrition and Dietetic department. The team covers Greater Preston and Chorley South Ribble area.
You will be part of and supported by a small, very friendly hard-working team who are based in central Preston at Minerva Health Centre.
We are more than happy to consider flexible hours to meet your needs and the needs of the service.
The successful candidate will gain invaluable experience in aspects of Nutrition and Dietetics.
You will be expected to have a strong commitment to ongoing professional and personal development, and we can offer you training opportunities as identified in your Personal Development Plan
The post holder will contribute to achieving the objectives of the clinical service group / speciality corporate objectives and work within the clinical governance framework.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see attached the jdps
Person specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
- GCSE or equivalent in Maths and English
- Foundation Degree in Nutrition or equivalent
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Knowledge and interest in nutrition
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working in a hospital environment or with patients/carers.
- Experience of working in a clinical setting.
Work Related Circumstances
Essential criteria
- Recognises the need for and demonstrates a professional appearance appropriate to the client group
- Required to concentrate for long periods of time in a routine and unpredictable work situations
- Ability to work flexibly and comply with travel requirements of the post
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable people 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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Christine Elwell
- Job title
- Professional Lead Dietitian
- Telephone number
- 01772 644155
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