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Dietetics
Dietitians are university trained professionals that have
completed an accredited degree in nutrition and dietetics.
To practice as a dietitian at Latrobe Regional Hospital you must be eligible for registration as an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD)
through the Dietitians Association of Australia.
The dietetic service at Latrobe Regional Hospital provides a dietetic service to all inpatient units and to specialist outpatient
programs such
as Home Enteral Nutrition, Gestational Diabetes, Gastric
Banding, Paediatric Type 1 Diabetes and Centre and Home Based
Rehabilitation.
There are no general outpatient clinics and these referrals
should be directed to Latrobe Community Health Service 1800 242 696.
Dietitians within the hospital are available to consult on
aspects of adult and paediatric nutrition related to or impacting on the
condition you
were admitted for, including assessment, recommendations
for nutritional management and implementation of therapeutic diets within the
hospital.
Dietitians can discuss nutritional needs for the home with
the family and can provide education on normal nutrition and any
modifications that may be needed for special diets.
Teaching and training
The Nutrition Department is involved in providing clinical
and rural placements for students from Deakin and Monash University.
Research and projects
Combining clinical practice with research is a vital
component of evidence-based practice in dietetics.
Recent research projects include:
· Use of fibre feeds for the control of diarrhoea in
critical care.
· Developing the role of
an advanced allied health assistant in dietetics (in conjunction with the
Department of Human Services, Better Skills Best Care Strategy)
· Working
with long day care centres to improve the nutrition of children and families
within the Gippsland region (as part of the Kids-Go For Your Life
campaign in conjunction with Lady Gowrie Child Centre)
Support
to new staff
Professional development is highly valued at Latrobe Regional Hospital.
We have a strong mentoring and team support structure which
includes the opportunity for the APD mentoring program, a peer support and
supervision partnership,
an interprofessional mentoring program and an Allied Health
support group for professionals within their first two years of graduation.
Staff are encouraged to take an active role in rural
support networks such as the Gippsland Regional Dietitians and Monash School
of Rural Health.
These networks enable mentoring partnerships and the
sharing of resources and experience.
Activities include quarterly meetings with regional
dietitians incorporating journal club, guest speaker presentations, resource
development and strategic planning.
Outside of the rural network dietitians are encouraged and
assisted to attend special interest groups and conferences in Melbourne.
The dietetics department is part of a young and progressive
Allied Health team.
Dietitians have the opportunity to further their skills in
a wide range of clinical specialities.
Close links with both Monash and Deakin Universities provides the opportunity for student supervision and research partnerships.
The Department of Human Services also funds a worker at Latrobe Regional Hospital under the ‘Regions of Choice’ program.
This worker is available to assist in relocating to our
region as well as linking you in with the community depending on your
interests.
Further
information:
Dietitians Association of Australia
Nutrition
Australia
The
Heart Foundation
Diabetes
Australia, Victoria
B.
Nutrition & Dietetics, Monash
B.
Nutrition & Dietetics, Deakin
AuSPEN
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