POSITION DESCRIPTION Outpatient Dietitian Date Produced/Reviewed: Position Holder's Name:... Position Holder's Signature:... Manager/Supervisor's Name:... Manager/Supervisor's Signature:... Date:... Document ID: Obtain from Objective Version: 1.0 Department: Acute Allied Health Last Updated: 20/03/2014 Document Owner: Alayne Healy Section Head Outpatient Dietitians Next Review Date: 20/03/2016 Approved by: Operations Manager, AAH Date First Issued: 20/03/2014 Counties Manukau District Health Board
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION This position is responsible for providing safe and effective nutrition intervention to both inpatients and outpatients by providing dietetic assessment, education, treatment and support as part of the interdisciplinary team to patients and their families/whanaau under the care of Nutrition and Dietetics team at Counties Manukau District Health Board Vision & Values Organisational Shared Vision Our DHB shared Vision is to work in partnership with our communities to improve the health status of all, with particular emphasis on Maaori and Pacific peoples and other communities with health disparities. We will do this by leading the development of an improved system of healthcare that is more accessible and better integrated. We will dedicate ourselves to serving our patients and communities by ensuring the delivery of both quality focussed and cost effective healthcare, at the right place, right time and right setting. Organisational Values Partnership Care and Respect Professionalism Teamwork Innovation Responsibility Working alongside and encouraging others in health and related sectors to ensure a common focus on, and strategies for achieving health gain and independence for our population Treating people with respect and dignity, valuing individual and cultural differences and diversity We will act with integrity and embrace the highest ethical standards Achieving success by working together and valuing each other s skills and contributions Constantly seeking and striving for new ideas and solutions Using and developing our capabilities to achieve outstanding results and taking accountability for our individual and collective actions PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION Position description Counties Manukau District Health Board 2
General Manager Service Manager Operations Manager Section Head Dietitian Professional Leader Dietetics Dietitian Position description Counties Manukau District Health Board 3
NATURE AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES Key Accountability Standards / Achievements Provides client focused care by: Assessing the nutritional needs of patients in line with service standards. Consulting with clients and their family/whanaau to establish mutually agreed goals and priorities for outcomes of care. Arranging appropriate nutritional intervention to meet patient s current requirements. Monitoring the patient s progress in line with service standards. Evaluate and review nutritional intervention as clinically indicated. Promoting the concept of self care and inclusion of family/whaanau in provision of care. Communicating clearly and effectively with client, family/whaanau and the interdisciplinary team to ensure nutritional needs are met. Providing education and information in a way that is understood to clients/families/whaanau and community. Documenting information in the clinical records in accordance with CMDHB Standards. Work collaboratively with other members of the Dietetic Team to ensure that caseloads are managed within the priorities of the service. There is a requirement to cover for absent colleagues and participate in the weekend oncall roster (if required/appropriate). Works to the highest quality standards of practice by: Providing care that is based on best practice and working towards evidence based practice. Ensuring all delivered care meets the identified priorities of the service. Ensuring relevant resources are used effectively education materials are up to date and regularly reviewed. Contributing to professional development practices and activities. Participating in peer review and professional supervision processes. Participation and/or leading audit and research initiatives. Position description Counties Manukau District Health Board 4
Key Accountability Demonstrates individual responsibility and accountability for professional development of self and others by: Contributes to the achievement of Counties Manukau District Health Board Vision and Values by: Standards / Achievements Taking responsibility for clear, effective documentation that is in keeping with organisational policy. Using effective time management & prioritisation strategies to manage workload. Participating in the processes of performance development, supervision and peer review. Act as a Professional Supervisor as appropriate under the direction of Professional Leader and Section Head. If appropriate, providing direct clinical and professional support for new graduates, rotational dietitians or less experience staff. Support the Section Head with the orientation and training of new staff and students as directed. Identifying own learning needs and setting objectives, goals and strategies to meet these. Participate in the Dietitians NZ Continuing Competency Programme. Participating in and contributing to continuing education activities internally and externally to the organisation by attending educational opportunities and conferences relevant to the role and scope of practice, and use this knowledge to improve practice. Acting as an educational resource for other disciplines. Working at a level appropriate to the scale of remuneration, and the associated tasks and expectations of that level. Working to improve service to our patients and community by delivering high quality, cost effective health care. Treating others with respect and dignity. Valuing difference and cultural diversity. Acting with integrity and valuing their contribution. Always seeking and striving for new ideas and solutions. Developing our capabilities to achieve results. Being accountable for individual actions. Contributes to the achievement of the goals of Liaising with the Section Head Dietitian to ensure that cover is available for leave. Position description Counties Manukau District Health Board 5
Key Accountability Standards / Achievements the multidisciplinary team by: Being an active member of both your profession and your multidisciplinary team. Observing the agreed ground rules of the team. Appreciating and respecting the contribution of self and others within the team. Contributing to and promoting the maintenance of a safe and healthy working environment. Participating in both team and profession based meetings. To meet organisational and legislative requirements by adhering to: HEALTH & SAFETY Recognises individual responsibility for workplace Health & Safety under the Health and Safety Act 1992 The CMDHB Code of Conduct The Code of Health and Disability Consumers Rights The Privacy Act The Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Act The Health Information Privacy Code Non-disclosure of Information of CMDHB Legislation and regulations relevant to the profession All CMDHB policies, procedures and guidelines Management roles: Ensure a safe working environment and safe working practices Plan, lead, organise and control Health & Safety activities directed at preventing harm in the workplace, in consultation with employees and Health & Safety representatives for area Ensure that all accidents/incidents in the workplace are investigated, and that hazards are recognised and adequate controls put in place Non Management roles: Counties Manukau DHB (CM Health) Health and Safety policies are read and understood and relevant procedures applied to own work activities Workplace hazards are identified and reported including self-management of hazards where appropriate Can identify health and Safety representative Position description Counties Manukau District Health Board 6
Key Accountability Standards / Achievements for area CULTURAL SAFETY Commitment to the principles of Treaty of Waitangi Respect, sensitivity, cultural awareness is evident in interpersonal relationships. Honouring Cultural Diversity Our cultural differences are acknowledged by respecting spiritual beliefs, cultural practices and lifestyle choices. Utilise Information Technology Demonstrate an ability to access and use available clinical information systems. Is conversant with applications required for specific discipline/role. For example, i.pm, Concerto, Outlook, etc. Maintains own professional development by attending relevant IT educational programmes. Position description Counties Manukau District Health Board 7
COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS The Dietitian will be required to interact on a regular basis with a range of CM Health staff members including: Service Manager Operations Manager Professional Leader of Dietetics Section Heads Dietetic colleagues Interdisciplinary team Food service contractors Interpreting service Cultural Liaison e.g. Pacific Health/ Maori Cultural Resource Unit Clerical Staff Externally there will be contact with: Other health care provider s dietitians Professional organisations Nutrition agencies Dietitians New Zealand GP liaison and GPs within CMDHB population Rest homes and private hospitals Nutritional companies Primary Healthcare Organisations Academic institutions: staff, students, tutor dietitians Health related voluntary organisations (e.g. Diabetes Association, Kidney foundation etc) Situations may often call for tact, diplomacy and will require information to be handled in a discreet and sensitive manner. In conflict situations will be required to exercise sound judgement, negotiation and persuasiveness skills, toward facilitating a workable outcome. PROBLEM COMPLEXITY The Dietitian will be regularly challenged by a wide range of problems of a varied nature on a day to day basis in their area of clinical practice. There will be a requirement to be able to prioritise issues and negotiate time frames, while still providing a quality customer service. The range of problems will be diverse and require solutions customised to meet the circumstances of the client. Therefore opportunities will arise to provide innovative options to the client based on proven outcomes. Position description: Counties Manukau District Health Board 8
There will be demands to meet deadlines, maintain accuracy and quality of information. Failure to do so could impact on the organisation in terms of service delivery, meeting of KPI s and quality of care. In conflict situations, the dietitian will be required to exercise sound judgement, negotiation and persuasiveness skills, toward facilitating a workable outcome. The Dietitian will refer to his/her Section Head and/or Professional Supervisor for advice or second opinion. Dietitians may be asked to provide clinical guidance/leadership to other members of the team according to level of experience and expertise, if considered appropriate by the Section Head. Consultation will be with the Section Head Dietitian of their area of clinical practice, with a professional reporting line to the Professional Leader. SCOPE FOR ACTION The Dietitian is empowered to make decisions or recommendations relating to their clinical area and is encouraged to use initiative and problem solving skills to develop innovative approaches to issues. Discretion is required to be exercised in releasing confidential information to the appropriate parties. DIMENSION OF THE POSITION The Dietitian will be responsible to the respective Section Head of their clinical area for the achievement of agreed objectives, and operates within the confines of Counties Manukau District Health Board. The Dietitian will work as part of a multidisciplinary team within their area of practice POSITIONS REPORTING Directly Indirectly nil Dietetic students, visitors Position description: Counties Manukau District Health Board 9
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS Minimum Qualification BCapSc or BSc, and Post Grad Dip Diet or equivalent as recognised by the NZ Dietitians Registration Board NZRD with current annual practising certificate Experience >5 years of broad clinical experience in a range of clinical settings including chronic disease management Skills/Knowledge/ Behaviour Cultural awareness and understanding of health, disability and illness issues Experience and ability to take on a leadership role within the team i.e. mentoring and training of student dietitians and supervision/management of less experienced dietitians Experience and ability to lead group education and clinical teaching of patients and health professionals A high level of understanding and commitment to clinical nutrition and evidenced based dietetic practice through own self directed learning and regular continuing competency activities. Able to collect, organise and evaluate information before initiating the most appropriate dietetic response. Effective oral and written communication skills. Preferred Dietitians NZ membership Dietitian prescribing endorsement Current SIG member of specialty area of practice Previous work experience which involves providing high quality customer care Project management Attendance at chronic care management seminars/courses Experience in contributing to Service Development, including audits, research, policy and guideline development Formal lecturing/teaching experience An exploratory approach to problem solving Counselling skills Supervision skills Professional supervisor training Computer literate Position description: Counties Manukau District Health Board 10
Communicates and relates well to all ethnic and age groups Good presentation skills and the ability to work effectively with both individuals and groups High standards of professional practice Seeks innovative solutions and drives change Drives service development Ability to set and achieve objectives Ability to self-manage and prioritise own workload Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team Ability to self evaluate and reflect on practice Uses conflict resolution skills to resolve difficulties effectively. Personal Qualities Can work in a complex and changing health environment Honest, reliable and trustworthy Professional and selfdirected Recognises role boundaries of profession, self and others Confident, enthusiastic and motivated Willingness to work across other areas of outpatient services as service need requires Position description: Counties Manukau District Health Board 11