1
CNAHS
LYELL McEWIN HOSPITAL
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Title of Position:
Classification Code:
Type of Appointment:
X Permanent
 Temporary
 Other
Dietitian
PO1
0.7 FTE
Division:
Branch:
Section:
Position Number
Position Occupant
Allied Health
Nutrition and Dietetics
Job and Person Specification Approval
All positions
............................................................
CEO or delegate
....../....../......
Date
………………………………………
.…./…./……
Acknowledged by Occupant:
Date
JOB SPECIFICATION
1.
Summary of the broad purpose of the position, and its responsibilities/duties
The Dietitian is accountable to Nutrition and Dietetics Manager primarily for the provision of adult inpatient and
outpatient therapy services, which aims to optimise health outcomes. (Some paediatric outpatient and inpatient
work may also be required).
2.
Reporting, Working Relationships (To whom the person reports, staff for whom the person is responsible and other significant
connections and working relationships within the organisation).


3.







The incumbent is responsible to the Manager of Nutrition and Dietetics
The incumbent works collaboratively within the Allied Health multi-disciplinary team and liaises with providers
of LMH and other community agencies
Special Conditions (Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime, etc)
Eligible for membership of DAA.
Current S.A. Driver’s licence and willingness to drive a government vehicle is essential.
Home visiting may be required.
Occasional out of hours work and participation in weekend on call roster (via mobile phone supplied by the
department) may be required.
Performance management appraisal will be carried out by the Manager of Nutrition and Dietetics
Lyell McEwin Health Service is a smoke free workplace
Any intellectual property invented or created by the Employee as a result of the Employee’s employment at
CNAHS will remain the property of CNAHS unless otherwise agreed in writing between the General Manager
and the Employee.
D:\116105359.doc
2
JOB SPECIFICATION (cont)
4. Statement of Key Responsibilities/Duties (Group into major areas of responsibility/activity & list in descending order of
importance. For senior positions, statements should be made in outcome terms)
Ensure provision of high quality Nutrition and Dietetics service to maximise patient health outcomes by:
 Undertaking nutritional assessment in accordance with departmental protocols.
 Designing, implementing and evaluating nutritional care plans of patients.
 Counselling the patient and/or caregivers about nutrition care plans.
 Maintaining up to date records of patient information in the medical casenotes.
 Liaison with nursing, medical, allied health professionals and food service personnel for effective nutritional
care.
Coordinate appropriate and well organised timely discharge planning by:
 Documenting on the Allied Health Discharge Summary form and adhering to guidelines.
 Providing information to key staff about nutritional issues for the patient.
 Participating in ward discharge meetings as appropriate.
Provide effective coordinated Multi-D team care by:
 Working collaboratively with members of other disciplines within the health service.
 Participating in actively in Multi-D service teams and projects.
Maintain and develop clinical and professional skills by:
 Conforming to standards and ethics of the department and Dietitians Association of Australia.
 Participating in department and hospital professional development activities.
 Contributing to departmental administration through staff meetings.
 Contributing to the development of departmental procedures and policies.
 Participating in quality improvement activities, research and performance enhancement programs.
Participate in the development of a high quality Nutrition and Dietetics department by:
 Working collaboratively with other staff.
 Participating in CME statistics input and training.
 Participation in departmental meetings.
 Participation in the development of resources and new information.
 Participation in research and evaluation of the Nutrition and Dietetic service.
Assist in the training and supervision of students by:
 Assisting the Senior Dietitian in student training.
 Acting as a role model.
Contribute to the ongoing commitment to policies, procedures and culture of continued quality improvement of
the Lyell McEwin Hospital by:










Complying with Occupational, Health, Safety and Welfare (OHS&W) principles and procedures, including
annual manual handling and emergency code training.
Complying with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) principles and procedures
Active participation in continuous Quality Improvement (QI) activities, including the identification of
performance standards and increased efficiencies.
Active participation in performance opportunity activities, including annual performance appraisal
Active, ongoing self-education and development and attendance to staff meetings
Active participation in training and support for new staff to the department
Complying with Lyell McEwin Hospital delegations of authority
Complying with the Code of Fair Information Practice and other policies on privacy and confidentiality, eg
FOI.
Compliance with all Lyell McEwin Hospital and departmental policies and procedures
Compliance with all Federal, State and Department of Human Services statutory and regulatory guidelines
and legislation
D:\116105359.doc
3
Occupational Health, Safety & Injury Management.
To contribute toward the provision of a safe and healthy work environment for self and others by:
 Reporting all accidents, incidents and near misses
 Using equipment provided for the prevention of injuries
 Complying with reasonable instructions or procedures aimed at protecting the health and safety of themselves
and others; and
 Carrying out responsibilities as detailed in occupational health, safety and injury management policies and
procedures.
D:\116105359.doc
4
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Minimum Requirements (Those characteristics considered absolutely necessary)
Essential / Vocational Qualifications (Include only those listed in Commissioner’s Circular No. 50,
Appendix 1 as an essential qualification for the specified classification group).
Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, eligible for membership of DAA
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills (Related to job description, and expressed in a way which allows objective
assessment)








Demonstrated ability to apply the full range of Dietetics skills in an acute hospital setting and outpatient service.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written.
Demonstrated ability to manage caseload and time manage.
Demonstrated ability to work with minimal supervision.
Demonstrated desire to improve personal and professional skills through self directed learning and evaluation
in line with CNAHS objectives.
Demonstrated commitment to working with the Nutrition and Dietetic dept and multi-disciplinary teams.
Demonstrated basic computing skills including familiarity with Windows programs.
Demonstrated ability to undertake the physical demands of the job.
Experience (Including community experience)


Demonstrated competency in the clinical management and treatment of the full range of conditions.
Demonstrated experience in hospital setting.
Knowledge






Demonstrated knowledge of clinical Nutrition and Dietetic practice.
Demonstrated knowledge of the role of food services in the hospital setting and their relationship to a Nutrition
and Dietetic service.
Demonstrated knowledge of the role of other Allied Health disciplines.
Demonstrated knowledge of the Code of Fair Information Practice.
Demonstrated understanding of principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and Occupational Health and
Safety as applied to work environment.
Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate professional standards.
Desirable Characteristics (to distinguish between applicants who have met all essential requirements)
Personal Abilities/Aptitude/Skills
 Demonstrated commitment to excellence and innovation in work practices.
 Demonstrated flexibility and ability to adapt to changing service provision needs.
D:\116105359.doc
5
Experience





Demonstrated experience with quality improvement activities.
Demonstrated experience in research activities with AH context.
Demonstrated experience in paediatrics, gastroenterology, surgery, food service, renal, diabetes, ICU
Demonstrated experience in providing group based client education programs.
Demonstrated experience with chronic condition self management programs
Knowledge




Demonstrated knowledge of Quality Improvement principles.
Demonstrated attendance of professional development activities.
Demonstrated knowledge of collection and utilisation of statistics.
Demonstrated knowledge of community services and agencies in Northern Metro area.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Educational Vocational Qualifications (considered useful in carrying out responsibilities of position)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Chronic Condition Self Management course qualifications
Lyell McEwin Hospital
Jan 2007
D:\116105359.doc