Role: Senior 2 Dietitian (Band 6 equivalent)

Department:  Brain Injury Service – (Dietetics)

Responsible to:  Clinical Lead Dietitian

Salary Range: Dependent on Experience

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week

Contract type(s): Fixed term – 12 months

Location: Putney, Southwest London

Closing date: 27th October 2023

Benefits:

• Support for ongoing development
• Small friendly team of experienced dietitians
• Employee friendly and flexible working arrangements
• Pension scheme
• Free parking on site
• Travel season ticket loan to aid commuting expenses
• Blue Light Card and Discounts
• On-site cafeteria
• RHN Wellbeing Programme and Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Candidates applying for a role at the Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and Influenza.

Summary of positions and the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability

We have an exciting fixed term vacancy for an experienced and motivated dietitian with proven clinical skills to join the dietetics team at the RHN. The post is primarily based in our Brain Injury Service (neuro rehabilitation), but also provides cover to the continuing care service.

Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) is one of the oldest independent hospitals and medical charities in the UK. Our vision for the future is that we will be the national centre of excellence for neuro-disability. Our mission is to provide outstanding care and empowering individuals with neuro-disability, enabling them to live their lives to their fullest potential in accordance with their wishes.

The post will cover patients across the Brain injury Service and be an integral senior member of the Inter disciplinary team in addition to covering a clinical caseload in the continuing care service. The post holder will have an enhanced scope of practice in the provision of enteral tube care across the organisation as part of the enteral team. This will include triaging enteral team referrals as well completing individual assessment of gastrostomy stoma sites and tube related concerns. Completion of competencies in gastrostomy care and enhanced scope of practice can be completed while in post.

We provide person-centred care that focuses on enhancing dignity, independence and quality of life for our patients and residents. Our services span the entire care pathway from post-acute rehabilitation services to end of life care, for people with complex Neuro-disability and their families, underpinned by a strong research and education programme. 

Interested in applying and hearing from us?

Apply now and please send a cover letter separately to recruitment@rhn.org.uk. Please also send an up to date CV. Your cover letter should be no more than one page, clearly explaining how you have demonstrated the above skills and responsibilities in your current or previous role(s). Please refer to the provided job description and person specification or email the Recruitment team to obtain a copy. You can also email recruitment@rhn.org.uk for informal enquiries or contact Emma Craig, Clinical Lead Dietitian on 020 8780 4500 ext 5058 or e-mail ecraig@rhn.org.uk

RHN is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer that respects and values the differences of our people to achieve their full potential.

Main Objectives of the role –

1. To manage and prioritise own specialised clinical caseload and provide specialised, evidence based dietetic and enteral tube management advice
2. Demonstrate an awareness of RHN’s strategy, objectives and contribute to achieving them appropriately.
3. To contribute to creating a culture where quality is at the heart of everything we do and it is delivered on all occasions, to the highest level, in line with our contractual obligations.
4. To be a specialised resource within the Hospital and to other interested professionals outside this organisation, regarding artificial nutrition and adapted oral nutrition for this particular patient population
5. To ensure that delivery of nutrition to the patients / residents in the organisation is done in an efficient and effective way collaborating with other disciplines and departments
6. To be open to research and audit opportunities that may improve nutritional care of the patients or others outside this organisation
7. Strive to improve efficiency and effectiveness across all areas of working within dietetics, enteral tube management and the wider interdisciplinary professional team whilst working within individual scope of practice, local policies and guidelines and HCPC and BDA code of conduct.

Key Responsibilities

1. Undertake comprehensive nutritional assessments of patients with neuro-disability, using specialist clinical reasoning skills and assessment techniques, interpreting and analysing clinical and non-clinical facts to form accurate dietetic diagnoses and prognoses in order to recommend appropriate nutrition and enteral tube management plans
2. Participate in regular evaluation of provision of the dietetic and enteral team services, and optimising effectiveness and efficiency
3. Have specialist knowledge of enteral products and equipment to inform the evaluation and selection of specialist medical devices and ancillaries relating to enteral nutrition across the organisation
4. Contribute to clinical governance within dietetics and enteral services in line with the needs of the organisation, including regular audit, service improvement and policy development
5. To provide supervision to students or more junior staff members within the department
6. To provide cover for other dietitians on other units in times of absence.
7. To be able to communicate with patients at an appropriate level using specialised communication devices if needed
8. To act as a senior member of the interdisciplinary team and regularly participate in complex discussions and decisions.  To take on the role of BIS keyworker.
9. To comply with the British Dietetic Association standards and code of professional conduct and adhere to the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) requirements for professional practice and registration
10. To undertake additional duties that evolve as the post develops and that are deemed appropriate to your grade and experience by the Clinical Lead Dietitian