Principle duties and responsibilities CLINICAL Be professionally and legally accountable for own work and caseload. Provide a high-quality and comprehensive clinical care to the Gastroenterology and Hepatology inpatient unit, Gastroenterology and Hepatology clinics, coeliac and low FODMAP diet groups. Work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team to ensure a holistic approach to patient care. This involves attending ward rounds, case conferences and multidisciplinary team meetings. Liaise with the Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Surgical and TPN teams to support treatment decisions and hospital admissions. Work closely with specialist nurses, e.g. IBD, Hepatology, Enteral Nutrition, and other members of the MDT. Assess the nutritional status of individual patients based on anthropometric measurements e.g. weight, height, weight history, handgrip strength as well as biochemical parameters, diet history, reported symptoms and other methods of nutritional assessment as appropriate. Obtain and analyse relevant information from different sources including: electronic patient records, medical notes, nursing notes, the patient and their carers, ward staff etc., in order to make a comprehensive assessment of the patients needs. Give individualised advice on appropriate foods, fluids and/or artificial feeding regimens in liaison with patients, carers or relatives considering factors which may affect requirements or help/hinder provision of nutrition support such as prescribed drugs, biochemical derangements, financial and social situation. Monitor nutritional and fluid intake, the effectiveness of nutritional goals and modify the plan as necessary based on ongoing analysis and assessment of information available, such as weight and blood electrolyte/micronutrient monitoring, tolerance of oral/enteral nutrition. Organise and coordinate supplies of supplements, enteral feed and plastics as required for patients living locally or out of area, and patient follow up liaising with appropriate community staff (e.g. home delivery companies, GP, dietetic colleagues). Be actively involved with the development of evidence based, trust wide guidelines, feeding protocols and other resources such as diet sheets and patient information, working in partnership with patients and the relevant MDT as required. Adhere to Trust referral guidelines to ensure effective use of time and resources and review in collaboration with the changing demands of the service. Communicate effectively and at an appropriate level with patients, carers/relatives and other health professionals. Skills of empathy, motivation, explanation are used in a wide variety of different, often sensitive situations. Provide cover for colleagues during periods of absence. Initiate and participate in audits or research and make recommendations for change in order to improve patient care and outcomes, and to disseminate results via reports, abstracts posters or presentations. Provide specialist advice, teaching and training to all members of the MDT and dietetic colleagues regarding the nutritional management of gastroenterology and hepatology patients. Provide specialist training and supervision of dietetic colleagues and students using skills of reflective practice. Attend and participate in regular department and gastroenterology team meetings. ORGANISATIONAL Plan and manage own caseload and determine priorities for own work area based on clinical need and balance patient caseload with professional demands. Collect data as required by the department, trust and outside agencies. Maintain accurate and up to date documentation of patient interventions in electronic medical records. Be involved with setting agenda items, chairing and taking minutes for departmental and dietetic gastroenterology meetings, on a rotational basis. MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Be accountable for own actions working within the professional, ethical and legal framework for dietetics set out in the Health Profession Councils Dietitians Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and the British Dietetic Associations Professional Standards for Dietitians and Code of Professional Conduct. Participate in departmental audits and initiate audit within own work area in order to monitor and evaluate whether local/international standards are being met and make recommendations for change. Remain up to date with relevant medical and dietetic literature clinically relevant to this patient group. EDUCATION AND PROFESSINAL DEVELOPMENT RESONSIBILITIES Keep a portfolio providing evidence of continual professional development (CPD). This may include critical evaluation of scientific papers, attending professional development meetings, working as a reflective practitioner and attending relevant internal/external courses. Participate in annual appraisal, identifying own development and training needs and setting personal development objectives within the Value Based Appraisal. Actively participate in the dietetic student training program, facilitating the development of skills and knowledge, being involved in the assessment process and acting as a mentor. General Conditions Risk Management The management of risk is the responsibility of everyone and will be achieved within a progressive, honest and open environment. Staff will be provided with the necessary education, training and support to enable them to meet this responsibility. Staff should be familiar with the Major Incident Policy Fire Policy Information governance and should make themselves familiar with the local response plan and their role within that response. Responsibilities for Health and Safety The post holder is responsible for ensuring that all duties and responsibilities of this post are carried out in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, Statutory Regulations and Trust Policies and Procedures. This will be supported by the provision of training and specialist advice where required. Infection Control Infection Control is everyones responsibility. All staff, both clinical and non-clinical, are required to adhere to the Trusts Infection Prevention and Control Policies and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection control at all times thereby reducing the burden of Healthcare Associated Infections including MRSA. All staff employed by OUH have the following key responsibilities: Staff must wash their hands or use alcohol gel on entry and exit from all clinical areas and/or between each patient contact. Staff members have a duty to attend mandatory infection control training provided for them by the Trust. Staff members who develop an infection (other than common colds and illness) that may be transmittable to patients have a duty to contact Occupational Health. Child Protection The post holder will endeavour at all times to uphold the rights of children and young people in accordance with the UN Convention Rights of the Child. Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults The Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults throughout the organisation. As a member of the trust there is a duty to assist in protecting patients and their families from any form of harm when they are vulnerable. Information Governance All staff must complete annual information governance training. If you have a Trust email account this can be completed on-line, otherwise you must attend a classroom session. For further details, go to the Information Governance intranet site. Data Quality Data quality is a vital element of every member of staffs job role. Oxford University Hospitals recognises the importance of information in the provision of patient care and in reporting on its performance. Data quality is therefore crucial in ensuring complete, timely and accurate information is available in support of patient care, clinical governance, performance management, service planning, and financial and resource planning and performance. All staff should ensure that they have read and understood the Trusts Data Quality Policy.