Community Dietitian
Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust
The closing date is 08 December 2024
Job summary
We have an exciting new role of a Community Dietitian within the Dietetics Service providing a comprehensive specialist clinical service to adult patients referred for nutrition and dietetic management within the High Weald Lewes and Havens area. The post holder will independently manage and treat general community patients with a range of conditions. This is a development post, whereby the post holder has the opportunity to progress to a B6 Specialist Dietician role by completing a series of Dietetics competencies in gastroenterology and enteral feeding. Work will be clinic based, home visits and within care homes.
Main duties of the job
To independently manage and treat general community patients with a range of conditions, including those with chronic and gastroenterology conditions. Work will be clinic based, home visits and within care homes. To take accountability for allocated assessments, planning and implementation of care packages/programmes of support, within their caseload. Training, supervision and mentoring of student dietitians during their clinical placements.
About us
We are looking for a Community Dietitian to join our small and friendly team based in East Sussex at Uckfield Hospital. You will have access to a beautiful countryside that is close to the sea and other nature reserves. You will be part of a specialist team who provide a comprehensive clinical service to adult patients referred for nutrition and dietetic management within the High Weald Lewes and Havens area. This will include oral nutrition support, gastroenterology and Home Enteral Feeding patients. You will work closely with GPs and community therapy teams to ensure seamless high quality nutritional care. We believe in excellent care at the heart of the community, and would welcome you in being part of our small but committed Community Dietetics service. Our team believes in collaborative working where all ideas and opinions matter.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To be responsible for planning and prioritising own clinical caseload of patients. To provide high quality, complex nutritional and dietetic advice in order to contribute to the care of patients enabling them to make informed choices about their health and related behaviours. This will involve calculation of nutritional requirements, assessment of oral intake, lifestyle and barriers to change; and interpretation of biochemical and anthropometric measurements, as well as considering social and cultural needs. To provide specialist evidence based intervention and evaluate clinical outcomes to ensure clinical effectiveness using agreed evaluation procedures. Have supervisory, training and leadership responsibilities where appropriate and have some responsibility for team performance and service developments/improvements. To work as an integral part of the Community Dietetics Service in High Weald Lewes and Havens and to undertake tasks concerning the day to day organisation and operation of the team, working with the team leader as required. To develop and deliver education and training programmes and resources for patients and carers. To undertake regular clinical supervision with the Dietetic team (and Student Dietitians, when necessary). To participate in training and evaluating Student Dietitians completing BSc or postgraduate qualifications in Nutrition and Dietetics when necessary. To initiate and participate in regular survey / audit which will enhance the dietetic care of community patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To be responsible for planning and prioritising own clinical caseload of patients. To provide high quality, complex nutritional and dietetic advice in order to contribute to the care of patients enabling them to make informed choices about their health and related behaviours. This will involve calculation of nutritional requirements, assessment of oral intake, lifestyle and barriers to change; and interpretation of biochemical and anthropometric measurements, as well as considering social and cultural needs. To provide specialist evidence based intervention and evaluate clinical outcomes to ensure clinical effectiveness using agreed evaluation procedures. Have supervisory, training and leadership responsibilities where appropriate and have some responsibility for team performance and service developments/improvements. To work as an integral part of the Community Dietetics Service in High Weald Lewes and Havens and to undertake tasks concerning the day to day organisation and operation of the team, working with the team leader as required. To develop and deliver education and training programmes and resources for patients and carers. To undertake regular clinical supervision with the Dietetic team (and Student Dietitians, when necessary). To participate in training and evaluating Student Dietitians completing BSc or postgraduate qualifications in Nutrition and Dietetics when necessary. To initiate and participate in regular survey / audit which will enhance the dietetic care of community patients.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree (or recognised equivalent) in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Registered member of HCPC
Desirable
- Membership of relevant SIG (s)
- Postgraduate and experiential training in relevant areas
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to carry out comprehensive and specialist assessments and develop care plans to meet clinical need
- Ability to manage caseload independently
- Ability to implement and monitor clinical audit and clinical outcomes scales within the team
- Working knowledge of professional standards and policies related to clinical and management practice
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in different care settings and with a range of patient conditions
Desirable
- Experience of mentoring and providing supervision, including student supervision
- Minimum of 12 months post graduate experience in dietetics to include some experience in oral nutrition support and enteral feeding
- Experience of working in community Dietetics services
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree (or recognised equivalent) in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Registered member of HCPC
Desirable
- Membership of relevant SIG (s)
- Postgraduate and experiential training in relevant areas
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to carry out comprehensive and specialist assessments and develop care plans to meet clinical need
- Ability to manage caseload independently
- Ability to implement and monitor clinical audit and clinical outcomes scales within the team
- Working knowledge of professional standards and policies related to clinical and management practice
- Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in different care settings and with a range of patient conditions
Desirable
- Experience of mentoring and providing supervision, including student supervision
- Minimum of 12 months post graduate experience in dietetics to include some experience in oral nutrition support and enteral feeding
- Experience of working in community Dietetics services
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
