Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities

Development, application and dissemination of expertise

To develop and disseminate evidence based, best practice guidelines on dietetic care in the specialist area locally, regionally and nationally.

To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of work in compliance with the ethical code of practice set out by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

To be responsible for the development and provision of evidence based dietetic service to the patients, carers and staff of King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in the specialist area.

Formulate and deliver individual dietetic treatment plans for patients based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and knowledge of a wide range of dietetic treatments.

Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment regimens as required.

To manage clinical risk with own patient caseload.

Work within Trust clinical guidelines and to have good working knowledge of national and local standards and monitor quality of practice as appropriate.

To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with British Dietetic Association (BDA) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of practice.

Team working, decision making and communication

Represent the dietetic service and/or individual patients at multi-disciplinary team meetings, to ensure the delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service, and integrate dietetic therapy into the treatment programme. This will include discussion of patient care and patient progress.

To provide nutrition counselling to patients and carers relating to highly complex treatments using a broad range of counselling techniques and experience, reassurance and motivational skills to encourage change particularly where there is non-compliance.

To be responsible for ensuring that patients and carers have consented to dietetic intervention in line with national professional guidelines.

To make clinical decisions about the appropriate and safe administration of artificial nutrition support. This will involve nutritional assessment and monitoring; including the calculation of nutritional requirements based on the interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometry, clinical condition and other physical parameters.

To communicate and liaise with the wider healthcare community, locally, regionally and nationally, regarding nutrition prescription and nutritional care of patients. Providing appropriate information, education and professional support to clinicians, patients and carers. This will include delivering service and expertise off-site.

Audit and research

This is a highly specialised post and the post holder is expected to use their experience and specialist expertise to support the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in delivering an effective and efficient service

Undertake the measurement and evaluation of your work and current practices through the use of evidence based practice projects, audit and outcome measures either individually or with more senior dietitians.

To initiate and participate in regular research and audit within the specialised area. This includes co-ordination and supervision of research projects for undergraduate dietetic students. Relevant findings will be published or presented at appropriate conferences.

To undertake as directed the collection of data for use in service audit and research projects. To manage and undertake research into specific areas of clinical practice and service delivery using a range of research methodologies as part of MDT audit and departmental research initiatives.

To research, develop, audit and publish evidence based departmental patient information literature for use within and outside the trust. Development will include involvement of appropriate patient groups.

Development activities

Be actively involved in professional clinical groups such as department's development groups and other appropriate professional development activities

To participate in the development, implementation and update of operational and professional standards and policies for the specialist dietetic service.

To be an active team member of the dietetic department at King's participating in departmental developments and attending monthly staff and continuing professional development meetings.

Participate in the staff Performanc