When?
Students from the University of Hertfordshire (UoH) studying for a degree to qualify as Registered Dietitians are required to undertake a 3-week placement (Monday 8th July until Friday 26th July 2019) within social care.
There will be 3-4 students placed at a time within the same organisation in either a residential or nursing home in Hertfordshire.
Why?
UoH would like the students to have experience and exposure with elderly and vulnerable clients cared for in residential and nursing homes. Enhancing their learning experience and enabling a better understanding of the needs of the service user and the role carers.
What?
Whilst on placement, students will be required to undertake general caring duties as well as a number of activities which, in addition to supporting their learning, will also benefit the organisation.
These activities may include:
- Undertaking MUST scores and auditing MUST
- Estimating nutritional intakes from observation and food record charts
- Supporting residents at mealtimes
- Being aware of the residents daily routine
- Communicating with residents and staff and observing MDT working
- Understanding the potential role of the dietitian within the organisation
- Observing the catering system and dining environment
- Auditing food wastage
- Assisting the activities person in delivering food-related activities
- Producing food first supplements
- Assisting and working on nutrition-related projects with the organisation’s Nutrition Champion
How?
Prior to placement, organisations will receive training from the University in order to facilitate the process of the placement and to provide support. Each placement site will have a University link tutor who is a Practicing Registered Dietitian. Halfway through the placement, students will return to the University for a reflection day. There will be full consultation and liaison with the Acute and community dietetic department in Hertfordshire who provide clinical care and support to clients within the care homes. They are familiar with student training and will take 2nd and 3rd year students for their NHS placements.
Prior to this placement, all students will have DBS and Occupational Health clearance and completed:
- Classroom-based teaching sessions and simulation activities to support and prepare them for placement.
- A food hygiene certificate
- Mandatory training using the e-learning for healthcare packages from HEE and will include:
- Equality, Diversity and Human Rights – Level 1
- Fire Safety – Level 1
- Infection Prevention and Control – Level 2
- Information Governance – Level 1
- Moving and Handling – Level 1
- NHS Conflict Resolution – Level 1
- Resuscitation (Adults) – Level 2
- Resuscitation (Paediatric) – Level 2
- Safeguarding Adults – Level 1
- Safeguarding Children – Level 1
- Safeguarding children Level 2
- Prevent awareness
- Deprivation of liberty
- Whistle Blowing
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