Mahima Akhtar

A Nutrition and Public Health BSc (Hons) graduate seeking a career in nutrition and health. Acquired a good understanding of the role of different vitamins, minerals and the impact they have on the human body. For example, Vitamin C (orange) helps with wound healing and calcium (dairy) helps with strong bones and teeth. I am keen to offer skills, knowledge and passion to the health and nutrition industry. A resolute, confident, and initiative-taking candidate with important levels of emotional intelligence. Interest in nutrition  and enjoy working with people. Nutrition and hydration are essential aspects of maintaining good health and wellbeing as it prevents illness and improves recovery of patients. 

Worked with children were I have contributing to their development for e.g, a Food and Technology Supply Teacher were I delivered work, tasks and presentations to children’s. Worked in a variety of settings including clinics, schools and hospitals. Worked with children who had families that was withdrawn or aggressive for e.g, a child communicated their distress feelings to me so I listened and said I need to tell someone who will provide you the best support and was honest to the child, so that their trust doesn’t break.

Volunteered at Living Well where I worked with people in the community via telephone, one-to-one, face to face and groups sessions. Supported children with physical activities and encouraged them to attend because they did not want to go due to feeling uncomfortable. Also, helped with dietary information by following the guidelines of the trust and the dieticians. Advised them to attend and make notes what they enjoyed also what they want to add in the session for improvement. This shows their views are important and we want the best service for them which they would participate as their opinions are taking into consideration. This will bring real and long-lasting changes to behaviours that result in healthier lifestyles. Parents joined these sessions which helps with bonding and work together with their children’s. These sessions, I ensure resources is there like pens, papers etc and ensure treatment sessions are age and developmentally appropriate, child centred and fun. If child isn’t enjoying I’d encourage them to attend and make notes on what to improve so next time we can implement it which shows we are here to support them and more likely the child will attend the sessions.

Worked in an respiratory acute hospital setting and cancer patients where I have NHS experience. A Nutritional Assistant were I support the Dieticians in an actuate setting by reviewing the progress of patients diets with the dieticians, then they make treatment plans for e.g, unbiasedly monitoring what a patient is eating throughout the day so I can input accurate information. Add food diaries onto the computer ready for analysis by the dietitian. Also, I ensure patients are eating and drinking throughout the day. Nutrition and hydration are essential aspects of maintaining good health and wellbeing as it prevents illness and improves recovery of patients.

Furthermore, complete dietetic records by monitoring patients who are in dietary requirements or having trouble eating due to chemotherapy. Ensure the nutritional treatment plan prescribed by the dietitian has been implemented by inputting nutritional intake information of patients on how much they have eaten for breakfast, lunch, and tea. Then I report back patients findings and progress to the dietitian. Also, make referrals like speech and language therapist which was agreed by the dietitian because a patient was having difficulties drinking as it was making them cough. If patient are on a purée diet it can feel difficult to get used to eating different textures of food and finding it difficult to swallow, they might feel like not drinking as much. 

Provide effective weight management support to the patients this is by weighing patients weight and height (BMI) to see whether they are overweight or underweight. Work with Nurses and Dieticians in an actuate setting by reviewing the progress of patients diets. Support patients with nutrition and hydration so they do not be dehydrated or malnourished. Encourage patients with their nutritional intake, assist the dietitian to ensure that the nutritional-care-plan is carried out effectively by unbiasedly monitoring what a patient is eating throughout the day so I can input accurate information.

Add food diaries onto the computer and ready for analysis by the dietitian. Ensure patients are eating and drinking throughout the day by supporting them with feeding also doing snack rounds. Liaised with kitchen staffs on what a patient has ordered, what diet they are on like Gluten-Free, vegan, halal or vegetarian. Also, if they NIL by mouth, soft or purée diet which is advised by the nurse. Distribute menus and meals. Respects the values, culture and beliefs held by others. Support families in carrying out dietetic interventions that’s assessed and planned by the dietitian. Independently work with no supervision were I manage my own workload.

Dieticians advise people on their food and nutrition choices. They assess, diagnose and treat dietary/nutritional problems. Aim is to promote good health and prevent disease for people. Paediatric dietitian help babies, children and teenagers to eat and drink well. They support children and their families where nutrition and special diets can be part of their treatment, including allergies, fussy eating and cancer.

Moreover, make minimal adjustment of dietetic care plans, as advised by the dietitian like provide oral supplements to the patient to increase their sugar level, nutrients or energy level. Prepare equipment like scales, height measurements and stocking resources. Check patients height and weight every Wednesday and if there’s any concern I would report it to the dieticians for e.g, low BMI and unintentional weight loss. Provide relevant information, both written and verbal, about patients progress done by assessment or reports to dieticians and other practitioners/therapists. Write in patients files and and electronically also, any concern I communicate to the nurse e.g, a patient needs support in eating therefore they would need a red tray which indicates someone needs to feed them.

Brilliant IT skills were I have the ability to use Microsoft packages, e.g. word were I created specs, email that I receive and send also,  PowerPoint were I presented presentations to the class. Use excel to collect data and add it onto the spreadsheet.

An ability to use  own initiative because I work independently because I’m the only nutritional assistant in the ward, specification technologist one food industry were I covered two sites and as a supply teacher I get work presented to me on the day but I’m confident to deliver the task as I have knowledge in nutrition, food and public health.

Communicate clearly to patients, families and staffs with transparency and honesty. For e.g, a patient has hearing impairment therefore, I communicate slowly so they are able to lip read and I did few sign languages. Able to speak in 4 different languages for e.g a patient had a language barrier thus, I spoke in their language so they are able to understand and l encourage feedback from them to help drive improvements. Moreover communicated with different age groups and disability because I did placement in a specialist primary school.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills e.g., created specifications for different retails like M&S, Aldi andAsda. Keyboard skills as I used computer on a daily basis for data inputting and typing specs. Communicated with different patients, children, and families so when they had questions, I listened carefully to answer as appropriately, so they understand. To ensure they have understood I ask is there any further questions to show I am here to support and help them. Excellent communication skills because communicated with different children and being a supply teacher can be patronising for children therefore, I treat them all equally and fairly were I worked independently with the whole class.

Did placement in a playgroup/nursery and specialist school where I supported children with complex medical needs like disability and sensory impairment like hearing, eye sight and unable to walk. Therefore, I supported them on a daily basis at the school. Some of this work is carried out alongside the ISCAN (Integrated Service for Children with Additional Needs) team. Also, took them to Occupational therapy sessions where their aim was to improve children ability to do everyday tasks if they are having difficulties.

Brilliant organisation skills and superb use of database because when I was a specification technologist I had an excel spreadsheet planner where it had deadlines so I know what to prioritise and ensure specs are submitted on time which helped me to manage my workload. Created excel spreadsheet for Ocado tracker where it had product information and statistics measurement of popularity to least.

Ensure processes are carried out in a timely and accurate manner to assist with the smooth delivery of service for e.g, when observations are due I do it so that all observation does not rush in one also, the patient is being checked in correctly timely manner.Experience of data input and analysis working with computer systems. Working in an NHS health care setting and understand NHS systems as a Health care assistant we’re I supported patients with cleaning, dressing and feeding.

Good team working skills because a nurse was behind on medication and asked me to do their observations which I did with considering my own workload because I am aware of my limitations of the role. Therefore, I did the observation because patient care comes first. Once I’ve completed this task, I’d return back to my original work. Support other health care staff and learners like student nurse on how to do observations also, write in patents files.

Maintain confidentiality at all time like a family member wanted to speak behalf of their mother because she was unable to speak English. I’m able to speak her language so I communicated with her and some cases I’m unable to so, I confirmed with the patient before discussing further. Also, I keep patients file safe and secure so another patient doesn’t get hold of other patients files.

BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Public Health