Position overview

The Nutrition Department is primarily responsible for the management of core functions and provision of Nutrition based allied health services within Canberra Health Services.

Services include:

• Clinical Dietetic Services to:
  • Inpatients at the University of Canberra Hospital and Canberra Hospital Campuses including the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children and the Adult Mental Health Unit
  • Outpatients requiring specialist care from the ACT and regional NSW
• Operation of centralised Special Diet Service
• Operation of Infant Feeding Service
• Coordination of Canberra Health Services Clinical Education Program for Nutrition and Dietetic students from various local universities
• Food Service governance activities in partnership with the Canberra Hospital Food Service Department

Under supervision this role supports the Dietitians in provision of Nutrition Support to patients within the hospital. Duties include supporting the operation of the special diet service and infant feeding service, preparation and distribution of adult and infant formulas according to departmental guidelines, computer data entry; patient visits with documentation, reception and other administrative duties.

This role is required to participate in after-hour shifts, including potential for weekend and public holiday work.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Under professional direction and supervision, you will perform a range of duties, you will:

1. Operation of the special diet service, including:
   • Receipt and processing of requests for special diets and Nutrition/Dietitian referrals from various clinicians.
   • Provide advice and guidance to food service staff regarding special diet requests and specific meals.
   • Maintain accurate computer database of all patients and their diet requirements for use by nursing and food service staff.
   • Prepare and supply various reports and labels to food service for meal delivery/planning purposes.
   • Provide high quality customer service including phone support and administrative duties..
   • Maintain a stock control system including performing stock take, assisting with stock orders, checking use by dates and product rotation.
   • Undertake deliveries of nutrition products and equipment, including enteral feed products.
   • Complete clinical and administrative data activity and collection and evaluation to standard.
   • Preparation and delivery  of prescribed nutrition formula/breast milk and equipment.
   • Maintenance and monitoring of required hygiene and food safety standards associated with formula/breast milk preparation.
   • Undertake labelling/identification of manufactured formula/breast milk.
   • Monitor and update patient lists including details of prescribed formula/milk
2. Undertake direct client visits, including:
   • Clarify special nutrition needs of clients requiring a variety of diets and implement appropriate nutrition care per standard procedures.
   • Provide simple nutrition education, including use of equipment, to patients.
   • Work collaboratively with consumers, service providers, and your work area team, including participating in program related service activities as required.
   • Participate in supervision, continuing professional development and performance management.
3. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

• Strong organisational skills with a high degree of initiative and engagement
• Work under direction and understand the Allied Health Assistant scope of practice.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accommodate change and provide responsive services to meet patients’ needs
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to be caring, empathetic and engage respectfully with patients, families and staff
• A commitment to upholding patient privacy, confidentiality and ethical standards

Qualifications

Essential

• Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance or recognised equivalent
• Current Australian driver license

Desirable

• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience for an AHA3.
• No experience necessary for AHA 2
• Computer literacy skills

Desirable

• Prior experience working in a health care or hospital setting.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.
• Be available for weekend, public holiday and/or after-hours work

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience and must be addressed in your application:

1. Proven organisational skills and demonstrated ability to complete work that requires a high level of accuracy or have the ability to develop these skills and perform them under limited guidance.
2. Demonstrated high level customer service and administrative skills including proficient verbal and written communication skills.
3. Sound knowledge and understanding of food safety and nutrition principles. Demonstrated skills to assist with nutrition and food safety quality improvement initiatives, or ability to develop these skills.
4. Proven ability to work as a member of a team and participate in and show a commitment to professional development and staff appraisal, including provision of general supervision, support or training to AHA staff and students, or the ability to develop these skills.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, work, health and safety (WH&S) and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.