Food Services Dietitian inPlymouth inPlymouth PUBLISHED
TUE 31 DEC 2024
Leadership Role, The opportunity to lead and manage a team of dietitians and influence nutrition policies across the entire hospital trust.
Impactful Work, Contribute significantly to the nutritional care of patients, improving their health outcomes through diet and nutrition.
Interdepartmental Collaboration, Work closely with various healthcare professionals, including nursing and catering teams, fostering a collaborative environment.
Educational Contribution, Provide training and education for staff at all levels, enhancing the nutritional knowledge within the organization.
Compliance and Quality Assurance, Play a critical role in ensuring the trust complies with government directives and national nutritional standards, promoting best practices.
Community Engagement, Take part in and lead nutrition campaigns and awareness events, promoting health and wellbeing among hospital staff and patients.
Professional Growth, Opportunity for personal and professional development through involvement in clinical governance, mentorship of student dietitians, and engagement with national nutrition discussions.
The Food Services Dietitian position at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust involves leading the development and execution of the Food and Nutrition policy within the hospital. The role requires collaboration with the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics and participation in various meetings to ensure compliance with government and CQC directives. Responsibilities include overseeing the nutritional care of medical patients, managing a team of dietitians, and enhancing communication related to nutritional services through various channels, including social media.
Additional duties encompass quality assurance of food services to meet national standards, training staff on nutritional care practices, and maintaining up-to-date information about patient food provisions. The postholder will also play a key role in audits and incident investigations related to nutrition, contribute to Trust-wide nutrition campaigns, and provide expert advice on hospital food policies. Flexibility for holiday cover and operational management of junior staff are also required. Preference for candidates will be given to current Trust employees and those with relevant experience.
Additional duties encompass quality assurance of food services to meet national standards, training staff on nutritional care practices, and maintaining up-to-date information about patient food provisions. The postholder will also play a key role in audits and incident investigations related to nutrition, contribute to Trust-wide nutrition campaigns, and provide expert advice on hospital food policies. Flexibility for holiday cover and operational management of junior staff are also required. Preference for candidates will be given to current Trust employees and those with relevant experience.
The postholder is responsible for taking the lead throughout University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) for the design, implementation and evaluation of Food and Nutrition policy. The postholder will assist the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics within the Nutrition Steering Group (NSG) and PCAG meetings and will implement and oversee Trust Policy to ensure compliance to government/ CQC directives.
The postholder will lead on departmental and Trust-wide communications and social media output related to nutritional care.
The postholder will be responsible for Team Leading a group of dietitians over a clinical caseload of medical patients and work towards improving the nutritional care and treatment of these patients.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
- To work with the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics, senior nursing management, and Facilities to implement government/ CQC directives relating to nutritional processes/care.
- Provide quality assurance to demonstrate UHP's compliance with government directives, such as CQC.
- To monitor Food services and compliance with national nutritional standards.
- To ensure that general nurse practices embrace the Trust's nutrition-related policies.
- To lead in devising, implementing, evaluating and monitoring training programmes in nutritional care related to Food policy for all groups of staff.
- To lead on communications and social media output related to nutritional care
- To work with Trust-wide departments to ensure that patients meet their nutritional needs.
- To assist with the general running of the dietetics department, this may include student training and staff supervision.
- To undertake administrative/managerial tasks as requested by the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics
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- To maintain up-to-date information on all food supplied to UHP patients using nutritional analysis software and liaison with the catering department and food suppliers.
- To assist the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics in the Patient Catering and Nutrition Steering Group meetings.
- To act as a liaison between clinical dietitians, catering service and nursing teams in all matters relating to hospital catering and nutritional care.
- To ensure that the UHP dietetic team is kept fully briefed on food and nutrition policy, including key responsibilities and duties in ensuring all patients are able to meet their nutritional needs.
- To work with speciality lead dietitians to ensure that specialist menus meet patients needs within the scope of the hospital food standards.
- To assist with investigating and reporting on any nutritional care related incidents and complaints as directed by the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics.
- To produce documentation and reports on request to demonstrate progress against targets as requested by the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics.
- To produce patient information relating to hospital food provision in conjunction with catering and nursing colleagues.
- To work with senior nurses to plan, implement and report on results of nutrition related audits.
- To lead in the collation of evidence to demonstrate compliance with CCQ requirements as requested by Professional Lead.
- To plan, deliver and evaluate nutritional care related education to clinical areas to staff of all levels.
- To lead the delivery of housekeeper training in conjunction with the catering manager.
- To work with nursing colleagues in the launch of nutrition risk screening in out-patient settings and subsequently monitor and manage its implementation.
- To provide input into development of Trust-wide nutrition polices and guidelines.
- To promote nutritional care by co-ordinating dietetic input into Trust-wide nutrition campaigns such as Nutrition and Hydration Week, Dietitians Week, Staff Health and Wellbeing Events and Nutrition Study Days.
- Using evidence-based information, acts as a source of expert advice at local, regional and national level on all aspects of hospital food and nutrition policy.
- To contribute to clinical governance activities including reporting to service line level.
- To be actively in involved in student dietitian training.
- To promote the role of dietitian by taking a lead in planning, delivering communications and social media content.
- To hold a clinical caseload of medical patients with respect to nutritional management of these patients
- To provide Bank Holiday cover for wards on a rota basis may be required to work flexibly over 7 day period .
- To operationally manage a team of junior dietitians/dietetic assistants, including recruitment, supervision, absence management and appraisal.
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The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of healthcare in the United Kingdom, established in 1948 with the simple yet profound principle of providing healthcare to all citizens, free at the point of use. This revolutionary system aimed to ensure that access to medical services would not depend on an individual’s financial situation, a concept that has since become fundamental to British societal values. Learn more...
Useful skills for a Food Services Dietitian:
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To work as a Food Services Dietitian in the UK, you'll need a combination of education, practical experience, and specific skills. Here are some of the key skills and qualifications required for this role:
Educational Requirements
1. Degree in Dietetics or Nutrition: A recognized degree in dietetics or a related field is essential. This course should be accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or equivalent.
2. Registered Dietitian (RD): You must be registered with the HCPC as a Dietitian to practice legally in the UK.
Key Skills
1. Clinical Nutrition Knowledge: A strong understanding of nutrition principles, dietary needs, and the relationship between diet and health.
2. Food Service Management: Knowledge of food service operations, including menu planning, food safety standards, and nutritional analysis of meals.
3. Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with patients, healthcare teams, and food service personnel, often translating complex dietary information into understandable advice.
4. Interpersonal Skills: Good interpersonal skills to work effectively with a diverse population, including patients, their families, and colleagues.
5. Problem-Solving Abilities: Skills in assessing dietary issues and developing appropriate solutions or meal plans to meet patient needs.
6. Organizational Skills: Ability to manage time effectively and prioritize tasks, especially in a busy food service environment.
7. Analytical Skills: Competence in evaluating nutritional information and applying it to food service practices, including conducting audits and assessments of dietary practices.
8. Leadership and Teamwork: Ability to lead a team and work in collaboration with others, such as chefs, other healthcare professionals, and nutritionists.
9. Technical Skills: Familiarity with software programs related to dietetics, such as nutrient analysis software and menu planning tools.
10. Knowledge of Legislation and Standards: Understanding of food safety regulations and standards (such as HACCP) relevant to the food service industry.
Experience
- Internships and Practicums: Hands-on experience in food service management and clinical settings during your studies is important for gaining practical skills.
- Continuing Professional Development: Ongoing education and training in updated dietary guidelines, trends in nutrition, and best practices in food service.
Additional Qualifications
- Specializations: Consideration for additional qualifications or certifications in areas like obesity management, pediatric nutrition, sports nutrition, or geriatric nutrition could enhance your employability.
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