Job Title: Senior Dietitian
Reference No: 08.018 (2023)
Department / Directorate: Nutrition & Dietetics Department, COO Directorate
Reports to: Manager of Nutrition & Dietetics or Deputy
Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is one of Ireland’s largest acute teaching hospitals, adult, psychiatric and age-related healthcare on one site. The Hospital has 450 adult beds with over 3,500 people on staff and more than 60 different nationalities represented. The Hospital is a provider of local, regional and national specialties. It is a designated trauma unit incorporating the National Pelvic and Acetabular Unit, a regional Urology Centre and the second largest provider of renal dialysis services in the country.
One of the two main academic teaching hospitals of Trinity College Dublin - TUH specialise in the training and professional development of staff in areas such as Medicine, Nursing, Health and Social Care Professionals. TUH is part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties.
The Hospital is an exciting and dynamic place to work, in the midst of implementing a new hospital, the team have already delivered on the opening of a new Renal Dialysis unit, Reeves Day Surgery Centre, a step down facility in the community, a new ICU and the development of a supraregional Endometriosis Service. It is an exciting time to join the TUH team and one of Ireland’s main teaching hospitals with so many plans to enhance patient care. The Hospital believes in investing in their team and offers excellent education and research opportunities.
TUH Vision and Values
The vision of the Hospital is “People Caring for People to Live Better Lives” through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.
Our TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are:
1. C ollaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
2. A chieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing
3. R espect – for patients, each other and our environment
4. E quity – for patients and staff
At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally. We recognise that a skilled, satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care.
purpose of the role:
The Dietetics Department provides services to a very broad range of acute medical and surgical specialties throughout TUH. Senior Dietitians work as in integral part the medical and surgical teams and are responsible for the nutritional care of patients under the care of such teams.
overview of role:
Key Duties and Responsibilities
5. Provide a comprehensive clinical service to patients to the area of assignment
6. Work in close collaboration with the other Dietitians assigned to that area and provide cross cover as required
7. Provide expert nutritional advice for the multidisciplinary teams and actively engage with the team by attending ward rounds, conferences, lunch meetings and grand rounds relevant to the area
8. Participate in the design and implementation of protocols/procedures for nutritional screening, referral, assessment and intervention
9. Record statistical information and produce reports as required
10. Supervise Basic Grade Dietitians and participate in their continuing professional training and development
11. Participate in the clinical training of Student Dietitians on placement in the Hospital
12. Participate in the Departments upskilling program for Dietitians which will provide an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills to work in other specialties
13. Participate in the education programs run by the department for hospital staff
14. Be responsible for his/her own professional development and keep abreast of developments in Nutrition and Dietetics
15. Initiate and actively participate in audit and in quality improvement initiatives
16. Contribute to the enhancement of clinical practice through participation in audit and research
17. Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of standards and policies relating to the Nutrition & Dietetic service
18. Contribute to and participate in quality improvement initiatives, undertaken by the department
19. Carry out other duties appropriate to the post, as may be assigned by the Manager of Nutrition & Dietetics
Qualifications & Experience required
Must:
20. Be registered as a Dietitian by the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU
And
21. 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
22. Have at least 3 years full time (or equivalent) post qualification clinical dietetic experience
Desirable:
23. post qualification clinical dietetic experience in the acute setting
24. Membership of the Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute
Reward & Recognition
25. Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 3395
26. The appointment is permanent, temporary, full time and pensionable
27. The annual leave entitlement is 29 working days per year. The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year
28. Normal working hours are 35 worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement