African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)
Health care + 1 more
Description
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in nutrition and Dietetics, Food Science and Nutrition, or a related field. A master’s degree is an advantage.
- Minimum of 5-7 years of post-qualification experience as a clinical dietitian in a hospital setting.
- Mandatory: At least 2 years of experience in a supervisory or senior role, demonstrating leadership and clinical mentorship capabilities.
- Valid registration with the relevant professional regulatory body.
- Demonstrated advanced clinical experience in managing complex cases requiring enteral and parenteral nutrition support.
- Experience with JCI accreditation standards and quality improvement processes is highly desirable.
Skills & Competencies
- Advanced Clinical Expertise: Deep knowledge of Medical Nutrition Therapy for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, with specialized expertise in nutrition support.
- Analytical & Problem-Solving: Excellent clinical reasoning skills with the ability to assess complex patient data and formulate appropriate interventions.
- Communication & Education: Exceptional interpersonal and teaching skills to effectively counsel patients, educate families, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
- Documentation & Compliance: Meticulous attention to detail in clinical documentation and adherence to professional standards and hospital policies.
- Collaboration: Strong ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and build productive relationships across departments.
- Initiative & Independence: Self-motivated professional capable of managing a complex caseload and leading initiatives with minimal supervision.
- Cultural Competence: Sensitivity and adaptability to work with diverse patient populations, respecting cultural beliefs related to food and nutrition.
- High Integrity: Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and commitment to ethical standards in handling sensitive patient information.
Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Advanced Practice
- Lead the delivery of specialized Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for complex patient cases, including those in ICU, oncology, renal, and surgical units.
- Provide expert consultation to physicians and multidisciplinary teams on intricate nutritional management challenges.
- Oversee the management of patients requiring advanced nutrition support, including enteral and parenteral nutrition regimens.
- Monitor and evaluate patient responses to complex nutritional interventions, adjusting plans in collaboration with the medical team.
- Serve as the primary clinical resource for complex cases involving refeeding syndrome, metabolic disorders, and multi-organ involvement.
Nutritional Assessment & Diagnosis
- Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments using anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary data for complex and high-risk patients.
- Diagnose nutritional problems and deficiencies based on assessment findings and medical history.
- Calculate precise nutritional requirements (calories, protein, fluid, micronutrients) based on patient condition, age, and clinical status.
- Identify patients at high nutritional risk through screening protocols and referrals.
- Utilize validated tools and methods for assessment, such as MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool).
- Document nutritional diagnoses and assessment findings accurately in the patient’s electronic health record.
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Development & Implementation
- Develop and prescribe individualized, evidence-based Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) plans for patients, with particular focus on complex cases.
- Formulate specialized diets for conditions including diabetes, renal disease, cardiac conditions, and oncology.
- Design enteral and parenteral nutrition support regimens in collaboration with physicians and pharmacists.
- Monitor patient tolerance and response to nutritional interventions, adjusting plans as necessary.
- Educate patients and families on the purpose and details of their specific dietary prescription.
- Coordinate with kitchen staff to ensure accurate and timely preparation and delivery of therapeutic diets.
Patient & Family Education
- Provide comprehensive and understandable nutrition education to patients and their families, particularly for complex dietary regimens.
- Utilize various educational methods and materials, including verbal counseling, written handouts, and visual aids.
- Conduct group education sessions for common conditions like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
- Assess patient and family readiness to learn and identify barriers to dietary adherence.
- Provide education on meal planning, food label reading, and healthy cooking techniques.
- Evaluate and document patient comprehension using methods such as the “teach-back” technique.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Communication
- Actively participate in ward rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care, providing expert nutritional input.
- Communicate nutritional recommendations and patient progress clearly to physicians, nurses, and other team members.
- Provide expert nutritional input for complex cases, including those in ICU and surgical units.
- Collaborate with speech therapists on texture-modified diets for patients with dysphagia.
- Work with social workers to address socio-economic barriers to accessing recommended foods.
- Ensure seamless nutritional care during patient transfers between units or upon discharge.
Policy Development & Quality Improvement
- Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of nutrition-related policies, procedures, and clinical pathways.
- Lead quality improvement initiatives related to nutritional care and patient outcomes.
- Participate in clinical audits and ensure compliance with documentation standards and key performance indicators.
- Identify opportunities for improving nutritional services and implement evidence-based changes.
- Ensure alignment of nutrition services with JCI accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
Menu Planning & Food Service Management
- Plan and approve cycle menus for regular and therapeutic diets to ensure nutritional adequacy and variety.
- Review and standardize therapeutic diet recipes to meet specific nutritional guidelines.
- Conduct regular quality assurance checks on patient trays for accuracy, quality, and presentation.
- Liaise with the catering department to address food service issues and implement improvements.
- Provide training and updates to kitchen staff on therapeutic diet preparations and food safety.
- Collaborate with the Store Officer to ensure availability of required ingredients for specialized diets.
Clinical Documentation & Compliance
- Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough documentation of all patient encounters in the electronic health record.
- Ensure all nutritional care plans and recommendations are clearly documented and accessible to the care team.
- Adhere to national and international standards for dietetic documentation and practice.
- Comply with hospital policies, procedures, and clinical pathways related to nutritional care.
- Document all educational interventions and patient responses for continuity of care.
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