Address To work independently, but under the direction of an HCPC registered dietitian to perform specific tasks for an individual or group of patients. Be responsible for all aspects of own work and demonstrate awareness of own level of responsibility and accountability within the service, and when to seek advice from the dietitians. Undertake patient reviews of selected patients under the supervision of the dietitian. This will include checking if a patient is following their nutrition plan, liaising with relevant healthcare professionals, and providing feedback to the dietitian.
The role will also involve giving advice, to help patients make dietary changes and diet histories. This post may require physically restraining patients under the Mental Health Act. Retrieve and record biochemistry results and inform the dietitian of results as appropriate. To work within protocols and competencies specific to this post.
To act as first contact in specific situations. Calculating and monitoring oral food intake e.g., food record charts and discussing nutritional intake with patients directly and any barriers preventing them from meeting the nutritional care plan goals. Strict adherence to outcome monitoring on dedicated spreadsheets Documenting in medical notes and nursing notes as part of the nutritional assessment the patients food and fluid intakes including estimated energy/calorie and protein intakes as part of the nutritional assessment reviews. Check and support the use of nutritional screening tools, this will involve weighing and measuring patients as well as ongoing staff training.
Implementation of MUST care plan, introduction of oral nutritional supplements and monitoring of compliance. Work flexibly and carry out duties as directed and agreed with the dietitian. Assist the Dietitian, and nursing staff with effective discharge planning including facilitating the safe discharge of patients requiring Home Enteral Tube Feeding, and training patients / carers in the use of equipment e.g. feeding pump training.
Patient management includes: nutritional assessment and information gathering to identify patient needs; development of nutritional care plans and review of progress at regular intervals. Ordering and management of adequate stock levels of nutritional supplements, dietary booklets and resources. Assist the dietitians with data collection for audit / research projects. This may include clinical data collection to demonstrate outcomes of care, patient satisfaction surveys and audit of screening in the hospital.
Be aware of limitations of own knowledge and experience and seek advice and guidance as required. Assist in the collection of relevant data for facilitating care plans such as, referral information, medical summaries, requesting information from GP surgeries/other hospitals etc. To monitor the progress of patients receiving interventions and communicate changes back to dietitian. Reinforce advice given to patients/carers by dietitian as requested.
Follow up patients by means of telephone and/or face to face reviews. Contribute to departmental and external meetings as delegated by a dietitian.
