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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

• To undertake clinical assessments and appropriate dietetic intervention for service users within the mental health inpatient services at Springfield Hospital. This may include service users in acute admissions, rehabilitation, forensics, older peoples services, as well as CAMHs.
• To work with clients with complex physical and psychological needs, using outcome measures as appropriate. 
• To be aware of patients at high psychiatric risk and liaise with the team regarding the management of these patients.
• To act as autonomous practitioner, with full responsibility for the Dietetic management of the agreed caseload.
• To decide clinical priorities for own work area, balancing client related activities with other professional clinical demands.
• To work effectively as a team member of the dietetic service, providing a flexible service, covering as appropriate other dietetic services.
• To maintain a high standard of clinical practice.
• To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, establishing collaborative working relationships, sharing skills and information.
• To be actively involved in clinical team meetings, wards rounds, community meetings and care plan review meetings as required.
• To adhere to any clinical standards and guidelines produced by the British Dietetic Association

Communication

• To communicate effectively with service users for whom there may be significant barriers to understanding using a range of verbal and non verbal communication skills and taking account of a range of intellectual and communication abilities and mental health and emotional states.
• To communicate effectively with all MDT members, actively involved in treatment planning.
• To liaise with Dietitians at acute hospitals and primary care regarding patients being transferred between services.

Documentation

• To maintain accurate & timely clinical records of care – assessment / progress / discharge reports via the electronic records system (RIO) for all clients in accordance with Trust policies.
• To be responsible for diet sheets, information and other literature for the care groups that the job encompasses.
• To ensure that clinical documentation is maintained in accordance with professional and service / documentation standards, for own & delegated responsibilities.
• To maintain administrative and statistical information as required and submit it in a timely manner and to ensure that activity data is recorded in accordance with Trust policies.
• To ensure own & supervisees documentation, are maintained in accordance with Professional (BDA) and Trust documentation standards

Professional Ethics

• To adhere to the professions Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct.
• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality, reliable attendance & appropriate professional behaviours at all times.
• To be apply relevant professional standards and participate in audit as appropriate.
• To respect the values, individuality, cultural and religious diversity of service users and to develop services appropriately.
• To demonstrate continuing fitness to practice through maintaining registration with HPC and compliance with their standards.
• To undertake relevant activities to meet identified training objectives.
• To maintain a CPD file & record of training / development and to fully meet the B7 Dietitian KSF outline.

Leadership, supervision and appraisal

• To contribute to the supervision and individual performance review/appraisal of dietitians within the team.
• To contribute to the development and implementation of appropriate policies, protocols and care pathways.
• To be able to demonstrate self management (managing own emotions and displaying resilience in complex / demanding situations).
• To participate in regular professional and operational supervision and engage in annual development reviews.
• Proactively engage in continuing professional development and maintain evidence in line with HPC and KSF responsibilities.
• To advocate and represent the service.

Training

• To contribute to developing and providing a range of specialist teaching/training packages which can be delivered to a range of multi-disciplinary audiences.
• Assist with the induction of dietetic staff, including agency staff when necessary.
• To receive and deliver relevant in-service training and attend courses in line with service and team objectives and continual professional development as agreed with the dietetic team leader 

Service development and delivery

• To participate in dietetic team meetings
• To keep up to date with clinical developments
• To provide dietetic advice to support the monitoring of the Trust’s catering contracts and delivery of a positive patient experience at mealtimes
• To advise on health promotion / preventative work from a nutrition and dietetic perspective.
• To implement relevant care pathways.

Clinical governance, quality, standards

• To comply with all Trust policies.
• Ensure adherence to all Health & Safety policies, and take responsibility for monitoring safety of working practice.
• To actively engage in practice development, evaluation and audit, relevant to area of practice and in line with Trust priorities.
• To promote evidence based practice.

Other

• To maintain stock supplies as an authorised signatory for tools, feeds and equipment budgets across the Trust.
• The post holder must be prepared to work some evenings/weekends if required.