South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Mental Health Dietitian

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Are you Dietitian who has a passion for providing excellence in the nutritional and dietetic care and who would like to work in mental health Dietetics? If yes, we would love to hear from you!

In this role all service users referred have a mental health diagnosis. Nutrition and Dietetic Services provide dietary treatment to support prevention and management of physical health conditions and to promote recovery of mental wellness.

Prior working within mental health dietetics is desirable, however we have successfully supported candidates keen to learn and work within this interesting area of dietetics.

Career Progression pathways and development opportunities:

We are committed to get the very best out of our staff and support staff in their career aspirations. We offer ongoing training and development in all areas of mental health via regular supervision, annual appraisal and agreeing a personal development programme. This includes attendance at internal and external courses, professional team meetings and shadowing of colleagues.

Main duties of the job

The post includes inpatient and outpatient clinic work with dietetic assessments and reviews offered both virtually and in-person. This role provides dietetic care to adults and older adult service users. The remit will include working on inpatient wards at the Ladywell unit within Lewisham University Hospital and our Croydon wards at the Bethlem Royal Hospital. The post holder holds three outpatient dietetic clinics per month for Croydon and Lewisham service users, and provides a dietetic support to Heather Close Rehabilitation Service.

There is opportunity to work on National and Specialist units within the trust in order to develop the post holders areas of interest and / or to carry out quality improvement projects or research.

Referrals are mostly for under-nutrition, underweight, re-feeding syndrome, disordered eating and/ or over-nutrition and metabolic syndrome linked to mental ill health and psychiatric medications, especially antipsychotics.

The post requires the ability to work effectively autonomously with individuals and groups, to be flexible and manage own caseload. Professionalism and excellent communication skills, including use of motivational interviewing techniques to help support behavioural change are key.

As a team we work together to support KCL Dietetic students on placements.

About us

The Dietetic team comprises 16 Dietitians and one Dietetic Administrator and is growing. The dietitians have specialised in mental health and/or eating disorders. We are a welcoming and friendly team, who are supportive of one another and our MDT colleagues. We work collaboratively and innovatively, building upon the evidence base to advance dietetic practice within mental health, striving to always be at the fore front of mental health dietetics and to provide excellence in dietetic care. Our dietetic offices are located at the Bethlem Royal Hospital and Maudsley Hospitals.

This Dietetic Office for this post is within the Bethlem Royal Hospital which is based in a beautiful setting in over 200 acres of green space in the London Borough of Bromley, South East London. The hospital has easy access to nearby main roads and have offers free parking. The site is within walking distance from of Eden Park and West Wickham overland stations.

We offer flexible working and we are happy to discuss at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday in the time frames from 7am to 7pm, giving you the very best of good work life balance. The majority of time spent in this role requires in-person working on site.

Details

Date posted

12 August 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£42,939 to £50,697 a year per annum Incl. of HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-CLI-6546715

Job locations

Bethlem Royal Hospital

Beckenham

BR3 3BX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities

Overall Job Purpose and responsibilities include:

To provide a kind, caring and responsive, evidence-based clinical nutrition and dietetics service to service users who have a primary mental health diagnosis on inpatient wards, rehabilitation wards / services and dietetic clinics in the community.

To be an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, representing and advocating for excellence in nutrition and dietetic care for all service users within the clinical remit.

Support the service by providing nutrition knowledge, dietary advice and training for staff from a variety of other disciplines, which is sound, evidence based and up to date.

Raise awareness, understanding and effective implementation of the trust nutrition policy.

To support the development, knowledge and use of the menus, which provide nutrition and hydration within the clinical remit together with the trust lead catering dietitian and trust stakeholders.

To deliver and develop together with dietetic colleagues a well-established weight management programme for service users living in the community.

To evaluate and develop dietetic care pathways, integrating, and adding to the latest evidence base, providing excellence, and advancing nutrition and dietetic care.

Personal Specification:

Qualifications (A)

Essential Requirements

HCPC Registered Dietitian

Relevant Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

Strong evidence of continuing professional development

Membership of British Dietetic Association (BDA) or other body conferring professional indemnity insurance

Desirable Requirements

Clinical supervision training

Student Training course

Membership of relevant professional special interest groups i.e BDA Specialist Mental Health Group

Experience (A, I)

Essential Requirements

Experience in clinical dietetic practice specifically in nutrition support, including refeeding syndrome, use of oral nutritional supplements and enteral tube feeding

Experience in clinical dietetic practice specifically in weight management and metabolic syndrome

Desirable Requirements

Experience of working within a psychiatric ward or mental health setting

Knowledge (A, I)

Essential Requirements

Excellent overall knowledge of clinical nutrition and dietetic care.

Excellent knowledge of underweight, under-nutrition, re-feeding syndrome and its management

Excellent knowledge of overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome and its management

Knowledge of the cultural diversity of the client population, in particular food choices, cooking and eating practices

Desirable Requirements

Knowledge of clinical dietetics in mental health, including side effects of psychiatric medication

Skills / Abilities (A, I)

Essential Requirements

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Skills in evaluating stage of change, motivation, barriers and supporting behavioural change

Able to build rapport and effective working relationships with service users and carers, who may be distressed or challenging.

Able to facilitate therapeutic and educational group sessions for service users and staff

Ability to work effectively autonomously with individuals and groups

Able to apply the dietetic care process appropriately and effectively

Able to use word processing and other IT applications

Able to conduct clinical audit / service evaluations, quality improvement projects and apply the learning gained to make improvements

Able to apply critical appraisal skills to research literature

Skill in managing and prioritising a clinical caseload

Ability to be flexible and juggle competing demands to meet the service and patients needs

Able to improve own and others practice by using skills of reflection and supervision

Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in multi-disciplinary teams

Able to demonstrate knowledge and adherence to appropriate professional standards

Desirable Requirements

Experience working in Research

*A = assessed on application, I = assessed upon interview, A/I = assessed on application as well as upon interview

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities

Overall Job Purpose and responsibilities include:

To provide a kind, caring and responsive, evidence-based clinical nutrition and dietetics service to service users who have a primary mental health diagnosis on inpatient wards, rehabilitation wards / services and dietetic clinics in the community.

To be an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, representing and advocating for excellence in nutrition and dietetic care for all service users within the clinical remit.

Support the service by providing nutrition knowledge, dietary advice and training for staff from a variety of other disciplines, which is sound, evidence based and up to date.

Raise awareness, understanding and effective implementation of the trust nutrition policy.

To support the development, knowledge and use of the menus, which provide nutrition and hydration within the clinical remit together with the trust lead catering dietitian and trust stakeholders.

To deliver and develop together with dietetic colleagues a well-established weight management programme for service users living in the community.

To evaluate and develop dietetic care pathways, integrating, and adding to the latest evidence base, providing excellence, and advancing nutrition and dietetic care.

Personal Specification:

Qualifications (A)

Essential Requirements

HCPC Registered Dietitian

Relevant Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics

Strong evidence of continuing professional development

Membership of British Dietetic Association (BDA) or other body conferring professional indemnity insurance

Desirable Requirements

Clinical supervision training

Student Training course

Membership of relevant professional special interest groups i.e BDA Specialist Mental Health Group

Experience (A, I)

Essential Requirements

Experience in clinical dietetic practice specifically in nutrition support, including refeeding syndrome, use of oral nutritional supplements and enteral tube feeding

Experience in clinical dietetic practice specifically in weight management and metabolic syndrome

Desirable Requirements

Experience of working within a psychiatric ward or mental health setting

Knowledge (A, I)

Essential Requirements

Excellent overall knowledge of clinical nutrition and dietetic care.

Excellent knowledge of underweight, under-nutrition, re-feeding syndrome and its management

Excellent knowledge of overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome and its management

Knowledge of the cultural diversity of the client population, in particular food choices, cooking and eating practices

Desirable Requirements

Knowledge of clinical dietetics in mental health, including side effects of psychiatric medication

Skills / Abilities (A, I)

Essential Requirements

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Skills in evaluating stage of change, motivation, barriers and supporting behavioural change

Able to build rapport and effective working relationships with service users and carers, who may be distressed or challenging.

Able to facilitate therapeutic and educational group sessions for service users and staff

Ability to work effectively autonomously with individuals and groups

Able to apply the dietetic care process appropriately and effectively

Able to use word processing and other IT applications

Able to conduct clinical audit / service evaluations, quality improvement projects and apply the learning gained to make improvements

Able to apply critical appraisal skills to research literature

Skill in managing and prioritising a clinical caseload

Ability to be flexible and juggle competing demands to meet the service and patients needs

Able to improve own and others practice by using skills of reflection and supervision

Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in multi-disciplinary teams

Able to demonstrate knowledge and adherence to appropriate professional standards

Desirable Requirements

Experience working in Research

*A = assessed on application, I = assessed upon interview, A/I = assessed on application as well as upon interview

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registered Dietitian
  • Relevant Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Strong evidence of continuing professional development
  • Membership of British Dietetic Association (BDA) or other body conferring professional indemnity insurance

Desirable

  • Clinical supervision training
  • Student Training course
  • Membership of relevant professional special interest groups i.e BDA Specialist Mental Health Group

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in clinical dietetic practice specifically in nutrition support, including refeeding syndrome, use of oral nutritional supplements and enteral tube feeding
  • Experience in clinical dietetic practice specifically in weight management and metabolic syndrome

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a psychiatric ward or mental health setting

Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent overall knowledge of clinical nutrition and dietetic care.
  • Excellent knowledge of underweight, under-nutrition, re-feeding syndrome and it's management
  • Excellent knowledge of overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome and its management
  • Knowledge of the cultural diversity of the client population, in particular food choices, cooking and eating practices

Desirable

  • Knowledge of clinical dietetics in mental health, including side effects of psychiatric medication

Skills / Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Skills in evaluating stage of change, motivation, barriers and supporting behavioural change
  • Able to build rapport and effective working relationships with service users and carers, who may be distressed or challenging.
  • Able to facilitate therapeutic and educational group sessions for service users and staff
  • Able to apply the dietetic care process appropriately and effectively

Desirable

  • Experience working in Research
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registered Dietitian
  • Relevant Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Strong evidence of continuing professional development
  • Membership of British Dietetic Association (BDA) or other body conferring professional indemnity insurance

Desirable

  • Clinical supervision training
  • Student Training course
  • Membership of relevant professional special interest groups i.e BDA Specialist Mental Health Group

Experience

Essential

  • Experience in clinical dietetic practice specifically in nutrition support, including refeeding syndrome, use of oral nutritional supplements and enteral tube feeding
  • Experience in clinical dietetic practice specifically in weight management and metabolic syndrome

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a psychiatric ward or mental health setting

Knowledge

Essential

  • Excellent overall knowledge of clinical nutrition and dietetic care.
  • Excellent knowledge of underweight, under-nutrition, re-feeding syndrome and it's management
  • Excellent knowledge of overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome and its management
  • Knowledge of the cultural diversity of the client population, in particular food choices, cooking and eating practices

Desirable

  • Knowledge of clinical dietetics in mental health, including side effects of psychiatric medication

Skills / Abilities

Essential

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Skills in evaluating stage of change, motivation, barriers and supporting behavioural change
  • Able to build rapport and effective working relationships with service users and carers, who may be distressed or challenging.
  • Able to facilitate therapeutic and educational group sessions for service users and staff
  • Able to apply the dietetic care process appropriately and effectively

Desirable

  • Experience working in Research

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bethlem Royal Hospital

Beckenham

BR3 3BX


Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Bethlem Royal Hospital

Beckenham

BR3 3BX


Employer's website

https://www.slam.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

head of Nutrition and Dietetic Services

Kate Moffat

kate.moffat@slam.nhs.uk

07875967678

Details

Date posted

12 August 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£42,939 to £50,697 a year per annum Incl. of HCAs

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

334-CLI-6546715

Job locations

Bethlem Royal Hospital

Beckenham

BR3 3BX


Supporting documents

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