Clinical Specialist Dietitian Gastroenterology 0.5 WTE

Position Summary:

• To establish and maintain highest standards of evidence-based care for patients referred for dietary management of patients under the care of the Gastroenterology service.
• Act as a therapeutic dietitian for patients with functional gastro-intestinal disorders and develop, implement and monitor nutrition care plans to meet individual patient requirements.
• To actively participate in the multidisciplinary team and liaise with all members of staff to ensure that patients are provided with the best possible nutrition and dietetic service within resources available.
• To develop policies, standard operating procedures and clinical guidelines in this area.
• To train and up-skill students and dietitians in the nutritional management of patients with Gastrointestinal Disorders and participate in nutrition education programmes and postgraduate courses for healthcare staff.
• To lead the team of dietitians assigned to gastroenterology and related specialities, manage team caseload effectively and participate in clinical supervision and performance review.
• To develop nutrition resources in this area for patients and health care professionals.
• To participate in service planning and development, evaluate the nutrition service to this area and ensure effective use of available resources through continuous improvement, efficiency and quality management.
• To initiate and actively participate in research and audit and disseminate results.
• To establish and provide a specialist service to patients referred for dietary management of Gastrointestinal Disorders
• To be available and act as a consultant to health care professionals within and outside Beaumont Hospital as a source of knowledge and expertise on the nutritional management of patients with Gastrointestinal disorders.

Planning, Organising & Service Provision:

• Be a lead dietitian in the Dietetic Profession and carry a clinical caseload appropriate to the post
• Establish the highest standards for patient care, a ‘high performance’ culture
• Be alert to opportunities for improving quality of services
• Utilise research and evidence based practices when providing services
• Ensure most effective management of resources available
• Be active in planning for and managing all resources vis a vis the service demands. Escalates expected gaps and shortfalls for remedial action.

• Prioritise team workload and delegate tasks effectively
• Plan ahead with vision and an understanding of the overall integration of different activities and departments
• Develop strategic plans and monitor performance and progress on achieving long term goals
• Consider Hospital and Local Directorate strategic direction.
• Develop operational plans and monitor performance and progress on achieving long term goals
• Develop advanced skills in Gastroenterology

Continuous Learning & Development:

• Is self directed in terms of learning and professional development
• Provides and supports learning opportunities for others
• Demonstrates a track record of teaching and supervising junior staff and student dietitians
• Acts as a clinical resource by participating in the education and training of dietetic colleagues, other health professionals and client groups as required
• Designs, prepares and evaluates suitable educational resources used for both client and professional education
• Maintains a portfolio of 'Continuous Professional Development'. To be an active member of the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics at Beaumont Hospital participating in departmental developments and attending regular staff and continuing professional development meetings

Management, Leadership and Administration:

• Maintains patient records and to collect statistics as required by the department and service and in accordance with departmental, hospital and professional standards
• Evaluates and develops services in gut disorders and to advise the Dietitian Manager of future service provision requirements
• Liaises with dietetic team colleagues providing dietetic cover, ensuring best clinical practice
• Participates in the development, monitoring and review of departmental standards, protocols and guidelines to ensure optimal client care
• Observes and maintains strict confidentiality of information relating to staff and patients
• Makes an appropriate contribution to operational and strategic planning of the dietetic services at Beaumont Hospital
• Participates in the clinical supervision and appraisal of other staff where appropriate
• Undertakes mentoring of junior staff members as appropriate
• Provides cover for the Dietitian Manager In Charge if required
• Participates in the recruitment and selection of dietitians where deemed appropriate by the Dietitian Manager In Charge
• Will carry out any other duties deemed appropriate and requested by the Dietitian Manager In Charge

Research and Audit:

• To identify the need for relevant research on issues related to nutrition and gut disorders and formulates relevant research questions.
• To understand and select specific research designs and methods.
• To undertake and facilitate research and development programmes particularly in their area of expertise which enhance the evidence base, in line with hospital policies.
• To engage appropriately with all relevant stakeholders in respect of research issues e.g. the Health Research Board, Institutional Review Board, Service users etc.
• To present, publish or contribute to the presentation/publication of research.
• To lead on service activity analysis & on-going audit for the clinical area.
• To critically appraise recent literature and modify clinical practice where appropriate.
• To disseminate relevant research results within clinical teams as appropriate.
• To participate in appropriate work related research projects and in clinical trials as required.
• To work in an advisory capacity to therapy/medical directorates/regional or national agencies as required.
• To act as peer reviewer of publications by other authors in the area of clinical specialism.

Accountability:
The Clinical Specialist Dietitian will report to the Dietitian Manager In Charge III for dietetic clinical governance, attendance and service performance management

Selection Criteria:
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.
Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

Candidates for appointment must:
I. Be registered, or be eligible for registration, as a Dietitian by the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU

AND
• 5 years full time (or equivalent) post qualification dietetic experience of which 4 years must be consecutive in the required area of specialism, and a proven record of clinical excellence in the specialism
• Clinical expertise in gastroenterology and functional gastrointestinal disorders with a broad range of related clinical experience.
• Behavioural Change experience
• Research & audit skills with proven track record of clinical excellence and achievement in teaching, education, audit, evaluation and research and dissemination of results.

AND
II. Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

AND
III. Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Dietitians Register maintained by the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be issued

2.Auunal Registration:

 On appointment practitioners must maintain annual registration on the Dietitians Register maintained by the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU.
AND
 Practitioners confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

3. Health:

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character:

Candidates for, and any person holding the office, must be of good character

5. Role Suitability

Demonstrate a proven record of clinical /academic achievement including continuing professional development in this specialist field.

Desirable:

- Post-graduate qualification in area related to this speciality
- Active member of INDI and relevant Special Interest groups
- Knowledge of the Irish Health Service
- Contribute to INDI and HSE in advancing the role of nutrition in Gastroenterology
- Experience of clinical audit and research
- Training in nutrition focused physical assessment

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.