Senior Dietician at The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE)

Job Purpose

• The Senior Dietitian will lead the provision of advanced clinical nutrition services at AMCE, ensuring the delivery of evidence-based Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) at AMCE. This role is responsible for overseeing nutritional care for complex cases and contributing to the development of nutrition-related policies and protocols. The role holder will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to optimize patient outcomes through expert nutritional assessment, intervention, and education while maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice and regulatory compliance.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Clinical Leadership & Advanced Practice

• Lead the delivery of specialized Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for complex patient cases, including those in ICU, oncology, renal, and surgical units.
• Provide expert consultation to physicians and multidisciplinary teams on intricate nutritional management challenges.
• Oversee the management of patients requiring advanced nutrition support, including enteral and parenteral nutrition regimens.
• Monitor and evaluate patient responses to complex nutritional interventions, adjusting plans in collaboration with the medical team.
• Serve as the primary clinical resource for complex cases involving refeeding syndrome, metabolic disorders, and multi-organ involvement.

Nutritional Assessment & Diagnosis

• Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments using anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary data for complex and high-risk patients.
• Diagnose nutritional problems and deficiencies based on assessment findings and medical history.
• Calculate precise nutritional requirements (calories, protein, fluid, micronutrients) based on patient condition, age, and clinical status.
• Identify patients at high nutritional risk through screening protocols and referrals.
• Utilize validated tools and methods for assessment, such as MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool).
• Document nutritional diagnoses and assessment findings accurately in the patient’s electronic health record.

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Development & Implementation

• Develop and prescribe individualized, evidence-based Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) plans for patients, with particular focus on complex cases.
• Formulate specialized diets for conditions including diabetes, renal disease, cardiac conditions, and oncology.
• Design enteral and parenteral nutrition support regimens in collaboration with physicians and pharmacists.
• Monitor patient tolerance and response to nutritional interventions, adjusting plans as necessary.
• Educate patients and families on the purpose and details of their specific dietary prescription.
• Coordinate with kitchen staff to ensure accurate and timely preparation and delivery of therapeutic diets.

Patient & Family Education

• Provide comprehensive and understandable nutrition education to patients and their families, particularly for complex dietary regimens.
• Utilize various educational methods and materials, including verbal counseling, written handouts, and visual aids.
• Conduct group education sessions for common conditions like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension.
• Assess patient and family readiness to learn and identify barriers to dietary adherence.
• Provide education on meal planning, food label reading, and healthy cooking techniques.
• Evaluate and document patient comprehension using methods such as the “teach-back” technique.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Communication

• Actively participate in ward rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient care, providing expert nutritional input.
• Communicate nutritional recommendations and patient progress clearly to physicians, nurses, and other team members.
• Provide expert nutritional input for complex cases, including those in ICU and surgical units.
• Collaborate with speech therapists on texture-modified diets for patients with dysphagia.
• Work with social workers to address socio-economic barriers to accessing recommended foods.
• Ensure seamless nutritional care during patient transfers between units or upon discharge.

Policy Development & Quality Improvement

• Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of nutrition-related policies, procedures, and clinical pathways.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives related to nutritional care and patient outcomes.
• Participate in clinical audits and ensure compliance with documentation standards and key performance indicators.
• Identify opportunities for improving nutritional services and implement evidence-based changes.
• Ensure alignment of nutrition services with JCI accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.

Menu Planning & Food Service Management

• Plan and approve cycle menus for regular and therapeutic diets to ensure nutritional adequacy and variety.
• Review and standardize therapeutic diet recipes to meet specific nutritional guidelines.
• Conduct regular quality assurance checks on patient trays for accuracy, quality, and presentation.
• Liaise with the catering department to address food service issues and implement improvements.
• Provide training and updates to kitchen staff on therapeutic diet preparations and food safety.
• Collaborate with the Store Officer to ensure availability of required ingredients for specialized diets.

Clinical Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough documentation of all patient encounters in the electronic health record.
• Ensure all nutritional care plans and recommendations are clearly documented and accessible to the care team.
• Adhere to national and international standards for dietetic documentation and practice.
• Comply with hospital policies, procedures, and clinical pathways related to nutritional care.
• Document all educational interventions and patient responses for continuity of care.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, Food Science and Nutrition, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an advantage.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of post-qualification experience as a clinical dietitian in a hospital setting.
• Mandatory: At least 2 years of experience in a supervisory or senior role, demonstrating leadership and clinical mentorship capabilities.
• Valid registration with the relevant professional regulatory body.
• Demonstrated advanced clinical experience in managing complex cases requiring enteral and parenteral nutrition support.
• Experience with JCI accreditation standards and quality improvement processes is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced Clinical Expertise: Deep knowledge of Medical Nutrition Therapy for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, with specialized expertise in nutrition support.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Excellent clinical reasoning skills with the ability to assess complex patient data and formulate appropriate interventions.
• Communication & Education: Exceptional interpersonal and teaching skills to effectively counsel patients, educate families, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Documentation & Compliance: Meticulous attention to detail in clinical documentation and adherence to professional standards and hospital policies.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and build productive relationships across departments.
• Initiative & Independence: Self-motivated professional capable of managing a complex caseload and leading initiatives with minimal supervision.
• Cultural Competence: Sensitivity and adaptability to work with diverse patient populations, respecting cultural beliefs related to food and nutrition.
• High Integrity: Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and commitment to ethical standards in handling sensitive patient information.