Highly Specialist Home Enteral Feeding Dietitian

Job description

About

The Home Enteral Feeding (HEN) Dietitian will provide a highly specialised dietetic service for adults requiring enteral nutrition, alongside support for housebound Food First patients at high risk of malnutrition. The post holder will manage a complex caseload across community settings, including patients' homes, care homes, outpatient clinics and primary care services. The post holder will provide clinical leadership, support and supervision to staff working across the Greenwich Malnutrition Service, including HEN, Food First and Primary Care pathways. They will deputise for the Team Manager as required, supporting the day-to-day operational management of the service, including referral allocation, waiting lists, clinic and visit cover, team coordination, leave management and service delivery planning. Leadership and Management Support the Team Manager, Head of Profession and Service Lead in delivering an efficient, high-quality and cost-effective dietetic service. Manage and prioritise own workload independently while maintaining accurate patient records and care plans in line with HCPC, Trust and legal standards. Provide supervision, support and training to junior dietitians, dietetic assistants and students. Demonstrate flexibility in responding to changing service demands, deadlines and operational priorities. Contribute to service development, policy development, quality improvement and clinical governance activities. Participate in departmental CPD, training and learning activities and maintain HCPC registration. Ensure adherence to Trust policies, procedures and professional standards. Communicate effectively with senior managers regarding service developments, risks and operational issues. Clinical Responsibilities Deliver a comprehensive, evidence-based dietetic service for patients requiring enteral feeding and specialist nutritional support. Undertake highly specialist nutritional assessment, monitoring and treatment planning using anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary data. Make complex clinical decisions regarding nutritional requirements and the most appropriate nutrition support interventions. Provide expert advice on enteral feeding regimens, oral nutritional supplements, vitamin and mineral supplementation and nutritional management. Develop and review individualised, patient-centred care plans and coordinate care with GPs, community teams, care homes and secondary/tertiary services. Maintain continuity of care during transitions between hospital and community services. Act as an expert source of nutritional advice for patients, carers and healthcare professionals. Support the management of wider dietetic caseloads during periods of service pressure or staff absence where required. Education and Communication Deliver education, training and clinical updates to dietetic, nursing, medical and support staff. Communicate complex nutritional information effectively to patients, carers and professionals using a range of communication approaches, including interpreters where required. Produce timely, accurate clinical documentation, reports and correspondence. Develop and contribute to evidence-based patient information resources and educational materials. Provide nutrition counselling and behaviour change support, adapting communication to meet individual needs and barriers. Service Development, Audit and Research Participate in audit, quality improvement, service evaluation and research activities. Collect and analyse outcome data to support service improvement and demonstrate effectiveness. Present audit and quality improvement findings within the department and wider organisation. Support colleagues undertaking audit, research and quality improvement initiatives. Maintain practice in line with current evidence and professional standards. Other Maintain knowledge of safeguarding, mental capacity, vulnerable adult and related legal frameworks. Attend specialist training, network meetings and professional development opportunities relevant to the role. The post currently does not require weekend or unsocial hours working; however, participation in future rotas may be required should service needs change.