Job Description

Basic Purpose of the role

Perform a nutritional assessment to ensure that an appropriate treatment programme is provided and maintain clinical records for this. Provide expert dietetic and nutritional advice to clinical staff within the hospital as required The Dietician will ensure the delivery of International standards of care in accordance with established National and International practices, policies and procedures. 

Key responsibilities of the role

Contribute to developing Allied service standards and ensure they are consistently met.
Act as a role model, and deliver high clinical and operational performance standards by developing and supporting the Allied Health Service team.

Collaborates with nursing and allied health staff at all levels, interdisciplinary teams, executive officers and other stakeholders in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services.

Market, promote and profile the service to patients, referrers and the general public and to undertake business development activities.

Uses unit resources in a cost-effective and responsible manner

Actively participates in the process of ensuring the organization achieves and maintains JCIA status or other rehabilitation accreditations.

Ensures the reporting of all adverse events, incidents and near misses.

Contributes to investigations of complaints and incidents and draft responses as required in a timely manner.

Contributes to the monitoring of key performance indicators and developing action plans as required

Responsible for the implementation and delivery of age-appropriate patient care congruent with the mission, vision, and values of the organization. 

Responsible for assessing patient’s nutritional needs and establishing nutritional strategies to meet identified medical nutrition therapy needs.

Plans and recommends nutritional interventions that are individualized and based according to cultural and social influences.
Assess the effectiveness of treatment plans and adjust accordingly.

Collects weights, heights, and plots anthropometrical data in the Medical Record.

Menu selection calculates, evaluates, and writes therapeutic menus following prescriptions for metabolic, diabetic and renal patients.  

Liaise with Food Services operator and nursing in monitoring nutritional intervention, intake, calorie counts and quality control. 

Check meal tray delivery system inclusive of patient tray line and meals for accuracy according to diet order and patient request.
 
Accurately record data in departmental statistics of patient care and clinical foodservice monitoring.

Plan menus according to patient diet order and preferences as per Clinical Dietitian instruction.

Review and update menu cycles for the facility in coordination with Food Services operator.

Communicate with the patient team regarding equipment recommendations and home environment as part of admission and discharge planning. 

Liaise with family members to conduct home trials, acquire necessary equipment and arrange follow-up care where necessary.

Carry an active caseload as required by service demand.

Operates independently under broad direction to promote a co-operative and effective environment for the patient care within the facility.

Demonstrates clinical expertise in the specialty.

Utilizes evidence-based practice to develop and implement standards that guide practice improvement initiatives.
 

Other responsibilities

Participates in quality management activities as assigned and at a personal level of accountability, i.e. accreditation process.

Evaluates factors related to safety, outcomes, effectiveness, cost, and social impact when developing and implementing practice innovations.

Participate in the Hospital’s Quality and Audit Programmes and evaluate the impact of new practices.
Actively participates with the Senior Clinical Dietician in staff development activities consistent with service delivery and individual learning goals. 
    
Maintains a primary role in departmental and interdepartmental related educational activities.

Maintains a significant role in the creation and execution of Hospital programmes, hospital quality development, policy and procedures, and competencies.

Actively participates in the Clinical Competency Programme

Compliance guidelines

Participates in the formulation of Quality Assurance programs in line with strategic direction.

Participates in relevant committees and on special projects as required.
Maintains confidentiality regarding patient/staff information.

Ensures all allied health staff maintains confidentiality regarding patient/staff information.
Functions as a clinical resource to all Staff and acts as the liaison with other disciplines and departments.

Promotes positive public relations with patients, peers, medical staff and members of the general public.

Collaborates with personnel from non-clinical departments/disciplines regarding issues that may negatively impact patient care; facilitate solutions as needed.
Maintain a positive work environment for staff and promote team efforts, promote and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff.

Adheres to the policies of Occupational Health and Safety and Infection Control Guidelines in all work practices.

The position does have heavy exposure to malodorous, infectious body fluids from patients and some minimal exposure to noxious smells from cleansing agents.

The position requires high exposure to infectious wastes such as blood and body fluids that mandate the wearing of gloves, masks, and goggles for every actual or potential exposure.
Emotionally self-aware, practice self-control, able to empathetically interact and understand the team and their needs and demonstrates effective management of relations to ensure team success and better patient care outcomes.

Acts as a role model for all staff.

Maintains a personal record of continuing education attendances, (direct or indirect). 

Demonstrates evidence of ongoing professional development in leadership and management.

Actively participates in the annual system of performance evaluation.
 

Qualifications, Certifications and Experience

Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
                            OR
Bachelor degree in a Health Science with a major in Nutrition; and
Post-graduate diploma or master’s in Dietetics.

Maintains valid, current licensure from own country.

BLS certification.
An active member of a nutrition society or association.
Required: Internship from USA, UK, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Europe.
Knowledge of UAE Health Regulations.
International accreditation experience.
Not less than 2 years of post-graduate experience as a Dietician in a large hospital or rehabilitation setting. 
The ability to influence and implement change.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Able to work independently and collaboratively with others.
Organized and able to work methodically.
Excellent leadership skills.
Able to relate to people from different cultural backgrounds.
Fluent in both written and spoken English.
 

Physical requirements

The position requires a considerable amount of physical work. The individual must be able to quickly maneuver throughout halls, stairways, and patient rooms in response to hospital emergencies. The following denotes the key physical requirements for the job which may require: Standing, Simple Grasping, Fine Manipulation, Operation Machinery / Equipment, Lifting/overhead reaching, Twisting, Climbing / Balancing, Crouching / Squatting and Reaching. 

In addition, the position requires office work involving extensive use of the computer and interdepartmental coordination. Typical physical demands include: a high degree of manual dexterity to sufficiently perform computer functions on a keyboard, produce materials on a PC and operate basic office equipment, normal or corrected vision and hearing, extensive sitting and walking, mobility sufficient to visit with departments or employees throughout the facility and lift up to 13 kgs.