Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Band 6 Mental Health Dietitian - Bristol

The closing date is 06 April 2026

Job summary

Are you an experienced dietitian looking for development opportunities in Forensics Mental Health? We are currently recruiting a Band 6 Specialist Mental Health Dietitian in Secure Services. This role will be based with the BNSSG Dietetics team at Callington Road Hospital in Brislington with in-reach to secure services based at Blackberry Hill Hospital. This role would suit someone with an interest in weight management and diabetes.

We welcome candidates contacting us to discuss this post prior to interview and / or making an application.

Main duties of the job

Under the guidance of the Lead Dietitian for BNSSG, this role will contribute to the work of the AWP Nutrition and Dietetics service in the following capacity:

  • Providing, maintaining and developing a clinical dietetic service.
  • Plan, justify and be responsible for the delivery of specialised dietary advice to service users and their families / carers.
  • Plan, manage and prioritise own clinical workload and to ensure maximum efficiency in all areas.
  • Plan, coordinate and deliver nutrition / dietetic training for professional and support staff.
  • Participate in dietetic student training.
  • Ensure safe practice at all times through the recognition and appreciation of clinical governance.
  • Maintain accurate and appropriate clinical records and statistical information as required, in accordance with professional standards.
  • Maintain clear links with your professions structures and your professions lead within the trust. Support the professions development and modernisation and the adherence to your professions standards and codes of practice.
  • Undertake training relevant to the post.
  • Work as a member of a clinical multi-disciplinary team, this will include close working with Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Community teams.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust):a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata (Pay award pending)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-BR045-0326

Job locations

Callington Road Hospital

Marmalade Lane, Brislington

Bristol

BS4 5BJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

To take a lead role in the planning, development and delivery of the Dietetic service.

To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

To assess the nutritional status and lifestyle of appropriately referred Inpatients within the Mental Health services and collaborate with the service users to establish realistic and achievable aims and objectives, plans and interventions.

To formulate individualised management and treatment plans to help promote optimal physical and mental health and nutritional status with regular supervision from Dietetic Manager. This will include providing advice on the appropriate timing of interventions such as food fortification, nutritional supplements and Enteral nutrition.

To monitor patients and alter treatment plans according to changes in physical or psychological conditions taking into account biochemical and anthropometric measurements, changes in medication and dietary compliance.

To provide highly effective dietary and medical information in a clear and straightforward manner, in conjunction with carers and interpreters when necessary (e.g. sign and language interpreters).

To communicate effectively with patients in an empathic and sensitive way.

To also communicate effectively with medical and nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team through personal, written or telephone contact. This will include the provision of high quality written reports to GPs, Consultant Psychiatrists and other health care professionals regarding patient progress and Dietetic concerns.

To have an appreciation of the barriers to communication that can occur when working with clients within the mental health setting.

To participate in multidisciplinary team working and ensure that Dietetic intervention is evidence-based, timely and tailored to the individual patients needs.

To attend multidisciplinary meetings to discuss patients care and discharge planning.

To liaise with catering services on the provision and implementation of appropriate diets for inpatients.

To use motivational techniques to enable to comply with dietetic treatment plans when there are barriers to understanding or acceptance of the need for treatment.

To provide group education and training to patients, health care professionals and students on a regular basis.

To record and submit professional activity data in accordance with departmental and Trust standards.

To maintain accurate and up to date patient records that meet departmental, Trust and British Dietetic Association (BDA) standards.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To take a lead role in the planning, development and delivery of the Dietetic service.

To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

To assess the nutritional status and lifestyle of appropriately referred Inpatients within the Mental Health services and collaborate with the service users to establish realistic and achievable aims and objectives, plans and interventions.

To formulate individualised management and treatment plans to help promote optimal physical and mental health and nutritional status with regular supervision from Dietetic Manager. This will include providing advice on the appropriate timing of interventions such as food fortification, nutritional supplements and Enteral nutrition.

To monitor patients and alter treatment plans according to changes in physical or psychological conditions taking into account biochemical and anthropometric measurements, changes in medication and dietary compliance.

To provide highly effective dietary and medical information in a clear and straightforward manner, in conjunction with carers and interpreters when necessary (e.g. sign and language interpreters).

To communicate effectively with patients in an empathic and sensitive way.

To also communicate effectively with medical and nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team through personal, written or telephone contact. This will include the provision of high quality written reports to GPs, Consultant Psychiatrists and other health care professionals regarding patient progress and Dietetic concerns.

To have an appreciation of the barriers to communication that can occur when working with clients within the mental health setting.

To participate in multidisciplinary team working and ensure that Dietetic intervention is evidence-based, timely and tailored to the individual patients needs.

To attend multidisciplinary meetings to discuss patients care and discharge planning.

To liaise with catering services on the provision and implementation of appropriate diets for inpatients.

To use motivational techniques to enable to comply with dietetic treatment plans when there are barriers to understanding or acceptance of the need for treatment.

To provide group education and training to patients, health care professionals and students on a regular basis.

To record and submit professional activity data in accordance with departmental and Trust standards.

To maintain accurate and up to date patient records that meet departmental, Trust and British Dietetic Association (BDA) standards.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • BSc degree in nutrition and dietetics or post graduate diploma in dietetics
  • HCPC registration

Desirable

  • Teaching qualification
  • Motivational interviewing qualification

Experience and knowledge

Essential

  • Experience / interest in working in mental health setting
  • Clinical experience in Malnutrition, Diabetes, Weight Management
  • Comprehensive, in depth knowledge and understanding of clinical nutrition and dietetics and a wide range of clinical conditions

Desirable

  • Experience of providing clinical supervision

Skills and abilities

Essential

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Good presentation and teaching skills
  • Experience of evaluation of practice / managing a project
  • Demonstrates ability to reflect on practice with peers or mentor

Desirable

  • Able to demonstrate leadership qualities

Other requirements

Essential

  • Car driver
  • Aware of and meets professional code of conduct
  • Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems
  • Ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times

Desirable

  • Member of the BDA
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • BSc degree in nutrition and dietetics or post graduate diploma in dietetics
  • HCPC registration

Desirable

  • Teaching qualification
  • Motivational interviewing qualification

Experience and knowledge

Essential

  • Experience / interest in working in mental health setting
  • Clinical experience in Malnutrition, Diabetes, Weight Management
  • Comprehensive, in depth knowledge and understanding of clinical nutrition and dietetics and a wide range of clinical conditions

Desirable

  • Experience of providing clinical supervision

Skills and abilities

Essential

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Good presentation and teaching skills
  • Experience of evaluation of practice / managing a project
  • Demonstrates ability to reflect on practice with peers or mentor

Desirable

  • Able to demonstrate leadership qualities

Other requirements

Essential

  • Car driver
  • Aware of and meets professional code of conduct
  • Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems
  • Ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times

Desirable

  • Member of the BDA

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Callington Road Hospital

Marmalade Lane, Brislington

Bristol

BS4 5BJ


Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Callington Road Hospital

Marmalade Lane, Brislington

Bristol

BS4 5BJ


Employer's website

http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

BNSSG Team Lead Dietitian

Bita Curtis

Bita.Curtis1@nhs.net

07523978583

Details

Date posted

23 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pro rata (Pay award pending)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-BR045-0326

Job locations

Callington Road Hospital

Marmalade Lane, Brislington

Bristol

BS4 5BJ


Supporting documents

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