Job summary Are you interested in nutrition and health and are someone who would like to make a difference to the nutritional care and management of patients in hospital?. We are looking for a motivated, friendly team-player to join the dietetic team based at Broomfield hospital as a dietetic assistant for 32.5 hours/ week. This may be able to increase to full time later in the year. This role will enable you to work closely with the Dietitians and ward staff to deliver a high standard of nutritional care. You will be involved in the collection of clinical information to assist dietetic assessment and practical aspects of implementing/ monitoring the nutritional recommendations made by the Dietitian. A key aspect of this role involves training members of the healthcare team and promoting first -line nutrition support strategies on the wards There may be the opportunity to pursue a dietetic apprenticeship in this role, dependent on possession of relevant entry requirements. This is an exciting opportunity working with a friendly and supportive team Main duties of the job To collect relevant information for patients referred to the dietetic department to assist in the prioritisation of workload. To provide assistance to the dietitians in implementing dietetic care plans for inpatients and out patients. To liaise with catering staff with regards to provision of special diets and nutritional supplements, in conjunction with the dietitians To liaise with pharmacy and pharmaceutical companies regarding nutritional feeds and supplements, in conjunction with the dietitians With support from the dietitians, to undertake teaching and education of nurses and other members of the multidisciplinary team in nutrition screening and basic nutrition support To update dietetic resources as required by the dietitians About us Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people. We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us. We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress Date posted 28 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 a year Per Annum (Pro Rata for Part Time) Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number 390-CSS-BR-9320-B Job locations Broomfield Court Road Chelmsford CM1 7ET Job description Job responsibilities For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include The post-holder will communicate with patients, carers and health professionals, e.g. Nutrition Nurse, Speech Therapist, Nursing Staff and Doctors on the telephone or in person The post-holder will talk to ward staff regarding patients nutrition The post-holder will talk about healthy eating to the general public The post-holder will attend and contribute to staff meetings The post-holder will assist with the running of the office as required e.g. filing, photocopying, answering the phone The post-holder will photocopy diet sheets and other resources The post-holder will record clinical findings in patients records The post-holder will complete the reporting of patient contacts in line with department guidelines The post-holder will organise and prioritise clinical work load The post-holder will encourage and assist patients to take prescribed snacks, nourishing drinks and supplements The post-holder will assist patients requiring special diets to choose from the hospital menu The post-holder will ensure the completion of food record charts, and collect information from food record charts as requested by the Dietitian The post-holder will monitor the use of nutrition screening on the wards and inform Dietitian of patients at high risk The post-holder will help to train nursing staff on the use of the nutrition screening tool The post-holder will collect preliminary information on patients referred to the dietetic service from a variety of sources, including the taking of diet histories The post-holder will monitor patients weight changes and to do simple calculations and conversions for weight, height and body mass index The post-holder will undertake review of patients as requested by the dietitian. The post-holder will liaise and report to the Dietitian patients progress and any changes that may have occurred. The post-holder will liaise with the Dietitian regarding follow up arrangements required after the discharge of an inpatient The post-holder will follow up discharged patients by telephone when requested by the dietitian The post-holder will act as a link to other agencies and services by appropriate networking The post-holder will contribute to any health promotion sessions that are being attended by the dietetic service Job description Job responsibilities For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include The post-holder will communicate with patients, carers and health professionals, e.g. Nutrition Nurse, Speech Therapist, Nursing Staff and Doctors on the telephone or in person The post-holder will talk to ward staff regarding patients nutrition The post-holder will talk about healthy eating to the general public The post-holder will attend and contribute to staff meetings The post-holder will assist with the running of the office as required e.g. filing, photocopying, answering the phone The post-holder will photocopy diet sheets and other resources The post-holder will record clinical findings in patients records The post-holder will complete the reporting of patient contacts in line with department guidelines The post-holder will organise and prioritise clinical work load The post-holder will encourage and assist patients to take prescribed snacks, nourishing drinks and supplements The post-holder will assist patients requiring special diets to choose from the hospital menu The post-holder will ensure the completion of food record charts, and collect information from food record charts as requested by the Dietitian The post-holder will monitor the use of nutrition screening on the wards and inform Dietitian of patients at high risk The post-holder will help to train nursing staff on the use of the nutrition screening tool The post-holder will collect preliminary information on patients referred to the dietetic service from a variety of sources, including the taking of diet histories The post-holder will monitor patients weight changes and to do simple calculations and conversions for weight, height and body mass index The post-holder will undertake review of patients as requested by the dietitian. The post-holder will liaise and report to the Dietitian patients progress and any changes that may have occurred. The post-holder will liaise with the Dietitian regarding follow up arrangements required after the discharge of an inpatient The post-holder will follow up discharged patients by telephone when requested by the dietitian The post-holder will act as a link to other agencies and services by appropriate networking The post-holder will contribute to any health promotion sessions that are being attended by the dietetic service Person Specification Qualifications Essential NVQ 3 level or equivalent experience GCSE qualification or equivant in maths, english and basic sciences Desirable Qualification in Nutrition Knowledge and Experience Essential Experience of working with the public Good interpersonal skills Able to work with confidential information Desirable Experience of working within the NHS setting Experience of working with unwell people Personal skills Essential Good written and verbal communication skills Interest in nutrition Evidence of team work Person Specification Qualifications Essential NVQ 3 level or equivalent experience GCSE qualification or equivant in maths, english and basic sciences Desirable Qualification in Nutrition Knowledge and Experience Essential Experience of working with the public Good interpersonal skills Able to work with confidential information Desirable Experience of working within the NHS setting Experience of working with unwell people Personal skills Essential Good written and verbal communication skills Interest in nutrition Evidence of team work Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust Address Broomfield Court Road Chelmsford CM1 7ET Employer's website https://www.mse.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)