Senior Dietician

Closed for applications
Job details

Contract Type

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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