Community Dietetic Assistant
Job overview
We are a department of 45 Dietitians and associates providing an integrated dietetic service to the West Suffolk Hospital and the wider community. The West Suffolk Dietetic service is a diverse and innovative department that is currently involved in several large-scale service development projects that aim to improve patient care and showcase the value of dietetics.We fully support and encourage professional development opportunities within our service.
We are looking to recruit a permanent 1 WTE (37.5 hrs per week) Band 3 Dietetic Assistant to come and join our friendly and forward-thinking community team supporting the provision of a general community dietetic service including specialist provision for patients with nutrition support needs in West Suffolk.
Please note Frequent Travel Essential - You will need to travel, so you must either hold a full, current driving licence and have access to personal transport or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means.
Main duties of the job
The Dietetic Assistant will work as part of the Community Dietetic Service carrying out clinical and non-clinical duties. Clinical duties will include reviewing patient’s dietetic treatment plans in a variety of settings, such as at home, in hospital or via the telephone under the direct and indirect supervision of a dietitian.
Non-clinical duties may include liaising with care homes to ensure relevant referral information has been received, registering new referrals on the hospital notes system and co-ordinating appointments for some dietitians.
If you would like to discuss this role further please contact Nina O’Brien - on or n[email protected]
Working for our organisation
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
See attached Job Description
Job Purpose:
- To work as part of the dietetic team to provide a nutrition and dietetic service by carrying out supportive clinical and non-clinical duties in a community setting with a specific focus on patients in care homes.
- To work independently on a one-to-one basis with Nutrition Support patients in the in the community and to review treatment under the supervision of a community dietitian.
- To deliver group teaching sessions given to staff or the general public where required.
- To organise and regulate the upkeep of equipment, stocks and working environment when required.
- To communicate effectively with dietitians and other team members giving feedback on treatment and progress.
Person specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential criteria- • 4 GCSEs Grade C and above or equivalent, to include Maths and English.
- • Educated to A level standard or equivalent experience
- • NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience
- • Membership of the BDA Dietetic Assistant interest group
- • NVQ in a health or nutrition related field.
Experience & Knowledge
Essential criteria- • Experience of working in a NHS hospital or NHS community healthcare environment.
- • Appreciation of the differing needs of patients.
- • Experience of teaching/training others.
- • Experience of administration/IT competent in Microsoft Office Programmes
- • Knowledge &/or experience of working with malnutrition.
- • Knowledge of the functions of a Dietetic Department.
- • Understanding of the need to minimise risks to health and safety.
- • Experience of working with patients
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria- • Able to communicate effectively (both collecting and imparting information).
- • Able to prioritise, use own initiative and problem solve
- • Good organisational and time management skills.
- • Able to maintain quality and accuracy despite interruptions.
- • Able to recognise limits of own role.
- • Carrying out assessments and documenting
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria- • Able to deal appropriately with pressured situations.
- • Able to manage emotional reactions from patients
- • An understanding of the job description/job role.
- • Ability to work at a desk, on a ward, or at a patient’s home which may require standing or sitting for extended periods of time.
- • Able to carry loads of up to 5 kgs