Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our team at Whipps Cross University Hospital as a Band 4 Clinical Dietetic Support Worker.
This position is vital to the Dietetic Services at Whipps Cross and applicants should have a strong desire to work within nutrition in a caring role. The post holder will support the dietetic team in a clinical capacity, working face to face with patients on the wards. Good computer and excellent communication skills are of the utmost importance in this busy post.
The Nutrition and Dietetic teams at Whipps Cross are well established and efficient. The successful applicant for this position will be made welcome and work flexibly as part of our team. The right candidate should find this role an exciting challenge.
We are committed to work based education and training to improve clinical skills and there is a robust system in place for staff supervision and CPD.
Main duties of the job
To work with dietitians, other dietetic support workers, nutrition nurses, members of the multidisciplinary team including medical, nursing and other therapy teams, catering department, community dietitians and nutritional companies to help optimise care for the patients.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent in Maths / English / Science
- Evidence of training appropriate to the post such as short course for Dietetic Support workers
Desirable
- Food Hygiene Certificate
- NVQ level 3 or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with patients in an acute healthcare setting
- Significant experience of working with the general public
- Experience of working as part of a team
- Experience of organising and giving presentations to groups of 10 or more people
- Experience of working without direct supervision with the ability to make decisions
- Experience of participation in audit
- Experience of participation in projects
- Experience of working with people from a diverse multicultural community
Knowledge
Essential
- An understanding of cultural diversity and equal opportunities
- Good knowledge of the Science of Nutrition
- Good nutritional knowledge and clear understanding of its effect on health and specific medical conditions
- Good understanding of the audit cycle
- Good understanding of the role of planning and delivering training in the healthcare setting
Skills
Essential
- Good written and verbal communication skills – able to deal with complex sensitive issues on a one-to-one basis, with people who may have communication difficulties, in a group setting or via interpreters
- Good interpersonal skills showing care and sensitivity to the needs of patients, carers, staff and colleagues
- Good time management skills with the ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to use own initiative and deal with non-routine issues in relation to patient care
- Demonstrable ability to present information both orally and written in a clear and logical manner
- Demonstrable ability to work under pressure and be flexible and creative
- Proven ability to write simple reports, keep simple accounts and produce simple written resources
- Proven ability to follow project plans and to implement changes within an agreed framework
- Ability to understand and apply risk management
- Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the service and the associated code of conduct as well as clinical governance
- Ability to cope with working with emotional patients/carers
- Good computer skills: ability to use Microsoft word, power point, excel and ability to adapt computerised record keeping
- Ability to problem solve, time manage and work to deadlines
- The ability to lift and handle objects eg nutritional feeds up to 5Kg in weight
- Ability to present to groups
Other
Essential
- Demonstrates interest and enthusiasm for nutrition
- Commitment to CPD
- Demonstrable ability and eagerness to gain new knowledge and skills
- Experience in either educating / advising others e.g. healthy lifestyles or teaching people skills e.g. cooking, etc
- Motivated to develop the service
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.
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).
Closing Date: 05 May 2025
