Antenatal Diabetes Dietitian

Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including responsibility of an allocated patient caseload / workload.
To work as part of the Antenatal Diabetes Service, providing education to women and their support network about gestational diabetes dietary management using health promotion techniques. To undertake individual assessments of patients with more complex presentations: using clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques to formulate individualised treatment plans and programmes.
To deliver individualised dietetic treatment programmes using a broad range of skills in individual and group settings.
To continually reassess patient's progress, adapting treatment plans accordingly, and developing discharge plans.
To refer patients appropriately to other health care services according ro protocol, providing timely and detailed information to allow continuity of care.
To communicate effectively with patients, their support network, and other healthcare professionals using a wide range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools, share findings, agree treatment plans, progress nutrition, provide advice and teaching. This will include patients with communication and comprehension difficulties, and those who may be unable to accept their diagnosis. You will also be required to work with a diverse and multi-cultural population.
To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain informed consent and work within the framework for patients who lack the capacity to consent to treatment.
To keep up to date and accurate medical records in dietetics / MDT notes, in line with trust policy, legal requirements and professional standards. Written reports and discharge summaries will also be required.
To attend and actively contribute at MDT meetings, case conferences to discuss patient care, treatment plans, goals and discharge planning.
To be responsible for organising and planning own caseload and work demands, to meet parients and service priorities, in conjuction with Lead Dietitian.
To participate in team and service audits, research audits and quality improvement projects in conjunction with the Lead Dietetian.
To comply with the Medway NHS Foundation Trust Infection Prevention and Control policies at all times and adhere to the Clinical Work Wear Policy. In particular, hand hygiene must be performed before and after contact with paitents and their environment.
To ensure statutory and mandatory training is completed and up to date.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Diploma/degree in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Current Health Professions Council registration
• Member of British Dietetic Association, ideally including relevant specialist group

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• To undertake individual assessments of patients gestational, type 1 or type 2 diabetes and those with more complex presentations: using clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques to formulate individualised treatment plans and programmes
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the issues involved with working in a busy acute setting
• Understanding of national and professional issues
• Understanding of clinical governance and relevant national guidelines, applying these to the job role where applicable

Experience

Essential criteria

• Knowledge and application dietary recommendations in antenatal diabetes, preferably with experience of carbohydrate counting
• Experience of supervising Dietetic Students
• Experience of responding to demand / prioritising work / managing a caseload in fast moving environment
• Involvement of developing department and service protocols
• Experience of managing patients within an MDT setting

Skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent written and verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Able to communicate clearly with other team members and patients/ carers in challenging situations
• Teaching and presentation skills
• IT skills
• Able to work in and fully contribute to a team
• Auditing skills
• Ability to develop and prepare dietetic resources

Other attributes

Essential criteria

• Awareness of limitations, personal strengths and weaknesses
• Reflective practitioner
• Adopts a problem solving approach and demonstrates initiative
• Professional approach and appearance
• Flexible and adaptable to change to meet the needs of the service
• The vision and focus to continually strive to improve the service for our patients is a key attribute for this, and any role at the Medway NHS