Dietician Manager

Purpose of the Post The post holder will be responsible for the strategic, operational and professional leadership and management of the Dietetics Department to ensure the delivery of high quality, patient centred services across St. Columcille's Hospital.
The position requires a strategic approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement underpinned by organisational objectives.
The positon will also involve 80% of a clinical remit within the Medical wards.
The Dietician Manager will also be responsible for clinical governance, professional supervision and day-to-day running of the Dietetic Department.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities The Dietitian Manager will: Professional / Clinical · Provide strategic, clinical and professional leadership in the delivery of a high quality dietetics service.

· Be responsible for the overall management and performance of dietetics activity, ensuring services are delivered in line with national policy directives and priorities.

· Ensure professional standards are maintained in accordance with the requirements as set out by CORU https://coru.ie/files-recognition/standards-of-proficiency-for-dietitians.pdf · Support the implementation of the recommendations of the 'National Food and Nutrition Policy.'

· Retain a clinical remit as required.

· Ensure the implementation of best practice dietetics needs assessments and that an appropriate range of service user interventions are in place to meet the needs of the client population.

· Promote a clinical service with a focus on incorporating therapeutic delivery and care planning.

· Work as a member of multidisciplinary teams; initiate and / or participate in departmental and multidisciplinary initiatives to enhance the standard of care to clients.

· Establish standards and best practice guidelines to provide a quality driven service through the development and implementation of, for example, care pathways, policies, procedures, and guidelines, in conjunction with acute hospital and community Dietitians, as part of the Nutrition and Dietetic Service integration process and risk management measures.

· Build and communicate an understanding of the role and contribution of dietetics within multidisciplinary teams, to ensure a clear pathway for service users.

· Develop good working relationships with other Heads of Service, professionals, specialist services, community and voluntary organisations to provide integrated quality care to service users.

· Demonstrate a research focus to enhance service development and delivery.

· Represent dietetics on the Management Team and other forums as required.

Education & Training · Oversee the implementation of appropriate induction and probationary systems.

· Maintain standards of practice and levels of professional knowledge by participating in continuous professional development initiatives.

· Promote staff continuous professional development by making recommendations with regard to the ongoing education, research, training and in-service needs of dietetic staff members.

· Act as a resource by participating in the education and training of dietetic colleagues, other health professionals and client groups as required.

· Co-ordinate the development of nutritional and dietetic resources and teaching materials.

· Facilitate supervision, CPD and PDP for staff.

· Be responsible, in partnership with local General Management, for the practice education of Dietetic students through provision of placements and through support for Dietitians who are practice educators within their departments.

Quality and Risk, Health and Safety Management · Be responsible for all aspects of staff and client safety within their area of responsibility.

· Be responsible for clinical audit and risk management within the service, including adequately identifying, assessing, managing and monitoring risk within their area of responsibility.

· Participate with any internal or external evaluation of the service.

· Conduct periodic risk assessment and safety evaluations of facilities and work practices.

· Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.
and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.

Eligibility Criteria Qualifications and/ or experience Candidates must have at the latest date of application: 1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc. (a) Candidates for appointment must: (i) Be registered as a Dietitian by the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU

OR

(ii) Applicants who satisfy the conditions set out in Section 91 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, (see note 1 below*), must submit proof of application for registration with the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU.
The acceptable proof is correspondence from the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU confirming their application for registration as a Section 91 applicant

AND

(iii) Have 5 years full time (or an aggregate of 5 years full time) post qualification post dietetic experience

(iv) Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, management, leadership and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

2. Annual Registration 1.
Practitioners must maintain annual registration on the Dietitians Register maintained by the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU

AND

2.
Confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

Health A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post specific Requirements To provide excellent clinical, managerial, leadership and communication skills and who is committed to providing high quality dietetic services within the hospital to inpatient and outpatient services.

Other requirements specific to the post Access to transport is a necessary requirement of this post.

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge Professional Knowledge and Experience For example: · A high level of clinical knowledge and evidence based practice to carry out duties and responsibilities of the role.

· Knowledge of the various theoretical models and approaches that apply in current practice.

· Knowledge of a range of appropriate interventions relevant to the client group and an ability to apply knowledge to best practice.

· Demonstrates a commitment to promoting evidence based practice and research.

· The knowledge, abilities and clinical skills required to provide safe, efficient and effective service in the area of practice.

· Knowledge of the role of health promotion and the importance of preventative health care.

· Demonstrate evidence of computer skills including use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint systems, as relevant to the role.

· Maximises the use of ICT with a willingness to develop IT skills relevant to the role.

Planning and Managing Resources For example: · Demonstrate the ability to lead on planning, organising and delivering services in an efficient, effective and resourceful manner, within a model of client centred care and with a focus on value for money.

· Ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.

· Co-ordinates work with other professions to ensure an optimum service is provided for clients.

· Demonstrates a high level of initiative and adaptability in response to workforce demands.

Managing and Developing (Self & Others) For example: · Provides clear direction on a regular basis and adopts an approachable management style, promotes collaborate working relationships.

· Deals positively and constructively with obstacles and conflict within teams.

· Demonstrates a commitment to the development of self and others.

· Fosters a learning culture amongst staff and colleagues to drive continuous improvement in services to patients.

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service For example: · Demonstrates the ability to lead on the delivery, design, implementation of a high quality, person centred service.

· Embraces and promotes change - demonstrates an ability to plan strategically to drive change / make improvements to service delivery.

· Continuously challenges the standards of quality and efficiency and strives to find ways to improve standards of care.

· Displays strong awareness and appreciation of the service users and the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect.

Evaluating Information and Judging Situations For example: · Demonstrate ability to collate, analyse, interpret, and report on service activity, and assigned/agreed KPI's.

· Demonstrate the ability to effectively analyse and critically evaluate complex information and make appropriate decisions.

· Demonstrate effective problem-solving strategies, including the ability to identify and manage risk, be flexible and innovative, and manage challenging scenarios.

· Explains the rationale behind decisions confidently when faced with opposing or competing demands.
Is objective but also aware of sensitivities in their approach.

Communications and Interpersonal Skills For example: · Display effective communication skills (verbal & written), including the ability to present complex information by tailoring the communication method and the message to match the needs of the audience; demonstrates active listening skills.

· Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate in partnership with others.

· Demonstrates sensitivity, diplomacy and tact when dealing with others; is patient and tolerant when dealing with conflict situations.

· Demonstrates strong influencing and negotiation skills; remains firm but flexible when putting forward a point of view.

Campaign Specific Selection Process Ranking/Shortlisting / Interview A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form.
The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification.
Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.

Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.

Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in 'bands' depending on the service needs of the organisation.

The HSE is an equal opportunities employer.

Code of Practice The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).

The CPSA is responsible for establishing the principles that should be followed when making an appointment.
These are set out in the CPSA Code of Practice.
The Code outlines the standards that should be adhered to at each stage of the selection process and sets out the review and appeal mechanisms open to candidates should they be unhappy with a selection process.

The CPSA Code of Practice can be accessed via https://www.cpsa.ie/.

The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the Job Specification may be reviewed.

This Job Specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder.
It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

· Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Management · Play a significant role in aligning the Dietetics service with the organisation's strategies, initiatives and health promotion projects.

· Be responsible for the strategic and operational management, delivery and evaluation of dietetic services.

· Contribute to the development of Service Plans based on identification of needs and priorities, national and local HSE area objectives and activities, budgets and timeframes.

· Collaborate with relevant personnel to produce Operational Plans for dietetic services.

· Work to facilitate the implementation of integrated and streamlined dietetics services within the area.

· Manage the effective and efficient delivery of a people centred service within allocated budgets and resources.
Ensure that expenditure is controlled within budget and identify potential for efficiencies through improved practices and innovations.

· Prepare annual financial planning of the service including the negotiation of resources and assessment of priorities in pay and non-pay expenditure.

· Monitor and review the operational functioning of the dietetic services in the assigned area, with a view to maximising quality.

· Assist in change management of nutrition and dietetic services as required.

· Record, analyse and evaluate indicators such as activity levels, service trends, work practices etc.
and submit findings to inform service planning and development.

· Collate and submit data for National Metrics and Performance Indicators.

· Manage a Dietetic team in a transparent and equitable manner including the provision of staff guidance and supervision and participating in recruitment initiatives as required.

· Oversee implementation of appropriate performance management system (e.g.
clinical audit/quality assurance programmes) for the delivery of a high quality dietetics service.

· Ensure the dietetics service complies with relevant HR and other policies, procedures and guidelines.

· Ensure compliance with a high standard of documentation, including service user files in accordance with local guidelines, Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and GDPR.

· Act as spokesperson for the organisation as required.

· Demonstrate pro-active commitment to all communications with internal and external stakeholders.

· Keep updated on current and impending legislation and the perceived impact on practice.

General · Develop contingency plans to ensure cross cover for other areas when required and such duties as required

· To effectively and efficiently use information technology for the role in a manner which integrates well with systems throughout the hospital

· Assume responsibility for his/her own professional development

· Keep up-to-date with developments of professional practices and all other relevant matters to ensure maintenance of knowledge and skills base

· To present and act in a professional manner at all times and ensure colleagues do likewise

· Ensure confidentially in all matters of information obtained during the course of employment

· Have a working knowledge of and adhere to St. Columcille's Hospital policies at all times

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. CVs will not be accepted, please complete and upload attached application form