Community Nutrition Support Dietitian

at  University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

We have a vacancy in our Community Nutrition Support Team, we are a small friendly team seeing patients in clinics in Coventry, in their own homes and care homes. We work closely with Nutrition Outreach Nurses and the Community AHPs within Coventry and in neighbouring Trusts.
Our patient caseload includes Home Enterally Fed (HEF) patients and Oral Nutrition Support (ONS) patients, we are supported by Dietetic Assistant Practictioners and are actively involved in the training of student dietitians.
To carry out dietetic assessment appropriate to role and experience, provide nutritional diagnosis and provide a dietetic treatment plan for patients / clients.
To hold responsibility for own patient caseload including patients with complex presentations
Maintain clinical records in line with local / Trust documentation guidelines
To liaise with dietetic colleagues and other members of the multidisciplinary team as necessary e.g. Medical, nursing, catering and other health care professionals
To work within National and Trust policies / guidelines; and HCPC and BDA standards and codes of conduct
To have a solid understanding of national and local standards and able to monitor own practice against these
To participate in bank holiday working and work flexible hours to meet the needs of the patients if required
To assess and monitor patients in the community who require nutrition support either orally, enterally or a combination of both methods
To liase with all relevant healthcare professionals involved in the patient’s care
To support student dietitians from Coventry & Birmingham Universities throughout their clinical placements
Carry out dietetic / nutritional assessments (including interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometrics, clinical condition and diet history) to determine nutritional diagnosis
Use enhanced clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist individual dietetic advice and treatment plans for patients who may present with multiple / complex clinical conditions taking into consideration patients own goals and incorporate discharge planning as appropriate
Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment plans as required
Communicate nutrition and dietetic information in an understandable form to staff, clients and carers using teaching, motivation and counselling skills including situations where there are barriers to change
Undertake department audit and service development work, translating findings into practice
Plan and organise the clinical supervision of student dietitians on clinical placement including planning, timetables and written assessments
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, rated as good by the Care Quality Commission, is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the UK.
We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do. Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.
We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence® designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)
By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.
The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation’s core values.
Support teaching / nutrition education of peers and multi professional colleagues
Engage in department and own CPD activities
Cover the work of colleagues and deputise for senior colleagues during periods of absence or peak workloads
Participate in health promotion activities of the department
Participate in other duties as required
Work as an autonomous practitioner working within the BDA code of professional conduct and the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics and standards of proficiency (Dietitians)
Plan and prioritise own workload and evaluate own practice
Complete any relevant Band 6 dietetic competencies
Identify and understand risks and benefits of own practice
Seek support from senior colleagues and peers when necessary (aware of own scope of practice)
Aware of local risk escalation and reporting process and ensure that this is followed when a risk is identified.
Provide person centred dietetic care considering the wishes of the service user during assessment, nutritional diagnosis and provision of dietetic treatment plan
Document patient activity data in accordance with Trust and professional standards
Utilise enhanced communication skills and work with groups and individuals with varying communication needs
Treat others fairly and interact with honesty and integrity
Assess capacity, gain valid informed consent where possible and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients/clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
For further details of the role please see the attached job description

Please refer the Job description for details