Kidney Team Dietetic Support Worker

Outstanding Care, Outstanding Careers

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Job overview

Welcome to the Nutrition and Dietetics team at Dorset County Hospital! We are a forward-thinking, positive and friendly team made up of administrative staff, dietetic apprentices, dietetic support workers, dietitians and nutrition nurses.

This is a full time, permanent position for a Dietetic Support Worker to join the Kidney Dietetic team at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester. The post holder will work within the well-established team, under the guidance of Dietitians to provide support to adult patients at Dorset County Hospital.

Main duties of the job

A suitable applicant should have experience working as part of a team, IT and organisational skills as well as a proactivity and a positive can-do attitude. Experience of working or volunteering within a healthcare environment is essential. The applicant should have a caring nature and exceptional interpersonal skills as you will be working closely with patients and other health professionals.

If you are looking for an opportunity to develop your skills within a friendly and supportive team, we would love to hear from you.

Working for our organisation

You will be part of the Dorset County Hospital Dietetic Department with a team of 30 Dietetic, Nurse and Admin staff and you will have easy access to them for peer and senior support.

Your line manager will provide regular guidance/support, reviews and help you develop your skills. The Department encourages CPD and benefits from good relationships with neighbouring Dietetic Teams, in addition to monthly Departmental meetings that the post holder would be actively involved in.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see Job Description and Person specification attached for the full list of roles and responsibilities.

Person specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent including Maths and English
• 1 A level or NVQ at level 3 in a relevant area or BTEC award

• Food hygiene certificate
• BDA Nutrition Support Worker course

Physical Requirements

• Standard keyboard skills
• Physically Fit – ability to undertake moving and handling following appropriate training
• Drivers licence and own transport

Living the Trust values: Integrity, Respect, Teamwork and Excellence

• Works within and promotes the DCH Trust strategy giving Outstanding Care for People in Ways that Matters to Them. Behaves in a professional manner at all times by setting and maintaining a high personal and professional standard that enables effective working relationships with others.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Experience of working with and communicating with people
• Working both independently and as part of a team
• Experience of working under pressure
• Health and safety awareness

• Experience of working in the NHS
• Experience working in a healthcare/ care provision environment
• Experience of project or audit work
• Previous teaching experience/ teaching certificate

SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Excellent verbal communication skills, including being able to deal with people with communication difficulties
• Good written skills/record keeping
• IT skills – use of IT systems – Microsoft Work, Excel, Outlook, Power Point
• Presentations skills Written and Verbal
• Skills in time management, setting priorities and managing a caseload
• Openness to report to line manager on work undertaken when required and recognise/work within own limitations
• Able to evaluate a range of factors (e.g. clinical, social, environmental and emotional) to inform optimal patient care
• Able to work collaboratively with patients/carers to achieve optimal nutrition for patients
• Ability to work autonomously, using own initiative but also able to recognize limitations and request help as appropriate.

• Additional IT skills – use of dietary analysis packages, use of hospital outpatient system, Internet search skills
• Audit and data collection/data analysis skills

Personal Qualities

• Self-motivation and reliability and able to work under pressure
• Excellent time management and prioritisation skills
• Able to display empathy to people with chronic illness and emotional distress

• Ability to respond positively to change
• “Can do” attitude
• Effectively uses initiative within the role
• Ability to motivate others
• Actively engage in CPD and willingness to learn and develop relevant competencies
• An interest in nutrition and Dietetics

Our Mission

Outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them.

Our Vision

Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.

Our Values

Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, Excellence

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

For more information, please use the link below to read our joint strategy for Dorset County Hospital and Dorset Healthcare.

Trust Strategy | Dorset County Hospital (dchft.nhs.uk)

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Please read the job description and person specification carefully to ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.

The closing date/interview date is subject to amendment; this vacancy may therefore expire at short notice, so we recommend that you submit an application at your earliest convenience. We reserve the right to close any vacancies without notice.

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email; therefore it is important that you check your personal email account regularly.

Unfortunately we are unable to respond to every application; if we do not contact you within 4 weeks of the closing date, please be advised that you not have been shortlisted on this occasion.

You can contact us on 01305 254655 to find out whether you have been shortlisted or if you would like feedback.