Major Trauma DietitianinPlymouthinPlymouthPUBLISHED WED 27 DEC 2023

• Practice autonomously, providing high quality clinical practice in the specialist area.
• Be proactive and collaborative in clinical decision making underpinned by an enhanced level of theoretical and practical knowledge.
• Use enhanced clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis, treatment and discharge of service users in specialist area.
• Undertake specialist holistic nutritional assessments including the calculation of nutritional requirements, interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometry, clinical history and other physical parameters in those with complex needs.
• To be experienced in the use of anthropometric equipment for assessment of nutritional status, such as weighing equipment, hand grip dynamometer, callipers and interpretation of results.
• To develop a suitable dietetic treatment plan based on evidence-based practice and provide advanced nutritional advice to service users, in collaboration with their carers, where needs are complex. This involves the interpretation and communication of complex and sensitive information in an understandable form.
• To develop and implement ward based nutritional protocols and procedures including nutritional screening, initiation of out of hours enteral feeding, monitoring food and fluid intake, managing dietary requirements, etc required by major trauma patients.
• Where appropriate, to advise and liaise with the catering staff concerning the dietary needs for service users. To monitor the major trauma ward and ward based catering service and act accordingly.
• Demonstrate a level of knowledge in relation to pattern of disease or disorder, marker of condition progression and range of treatment available at each stage of disorder or condition.
• To provide expert dietetic advice to the multidisciplinary team, through attendance and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings, ward rounds and patient meetings.
• To be responsible for ensuring written and electronic patient records are completed for all patient contacts including statistical activity data records in accordance with professional, departmental and trust standards.
• To monitor and review the outcomes of nutritional care plans and adjusts to facilitate achievement of the desired goals in the light of changing medical treatment and personal circumstances.
• To provide clinical support and cover for other staff as requested by the Nutrition and Dietetic Service Manager.
• To supervise and co-ordinate the safe and timely discharge of patients on artificial nutritional support, liaising with hospital and community services.
• To advise on appropriate use of prescribable nutritional products within the critical care service and to general practitioners.
• To train, supervise and appraise Band 5 dietitians and dietetic assistants within the team.
• To develop and evaluate multi-professional teaching sessions. To develop educational resources such as teaching packs, case studies and guidelines.
• To provide training on major trauma ward patients nutrition to staff groups, including nurses, doctors and non-specialist dietitians as required.
• To plan student training programmes for their major trauma ward weeks, including tutorials and peer assisted learning sessions. To take the lead in student supervision and assessment. To act as keyworker for student dietitians throughout their placements as required.
• To manage and prioritise own workload and assist junior staff to do so.
• To maintain accurate and timely dietetic patient records (paper and electronic) in line with national and local record keeping standard

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated dietitian to join the impending newly created Dietetics Major Trauma Ward team at Derriford Hospital. The successful candidate will work as a member of the specialist major trauma multidisciplinary team based at Derriford Hospital.

***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.***

The main duties of the job will include; being responsible for providing a specialist dietetic service following evidence-based practice, being an active MDT member, providing education, acting as a source of knowledge and expertise, developing ward based nutritional protocols and plans, participating in audit and specific research related to patient care in order to improve clinical outcomes and develop the role and service. The post holder will be involved in all nutrition and dietetic departmental activities and contributes to the delivery of a Trust wide dietetic service.