Dietetic Apprentice

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Are you an aspiring dietitian with a caring, compassionate nature? Are you keen to undertake training whilst working at Bedfordshire Hospitals?

This may be the opportunity for you!

Apprenticeships are proving to be a popular and successful 'learn while you earn' route to becoming a registered dietitian and Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are looking to offer this exciting opportunity to both our current employees and the wider community.

Successful candidates will be employed as an apprentice dietitian, on a 3 year fixed term contract and all trainees will be offered employment on successful completion of the course. Apprentices will be working in a variety of specialities within dietetics which can include acute, community, diabetes, paediatrics and oncology.

For the duration of the 3 year training programme, apprentices with be paid at NHS band 5 (annex 21) pay scale*:

Year 1: 65% of the pay band maximum of band 5

Year 2: 70% of the pay band maximum of band 5

Year 3: 75% of the pay band maximum of band 5

*In line with pay guidance internal employees will remain on their current salary should the stated Annex 21 salary be lower.

On successful completion of the training, apprentices will gain a BSc (Hons) in Dietetics and will be able to work as an HCPC registered dietitian on an NHS AfC band 5 salary.

Main duties of the job

The dietetics apprenticeship course is a three-year education programme which leads to a Level 6 degree qualification. The apprentice will work towards progression into the post of dietitian through successful completion of the BSC (Hons) Dietetics training programme through the University of Hertfordshire.

This apprentice role will provide a targeted pathway to gain the required skills, knowledge and competency to complete the degree-level programme and qualify as a dietitian. This will enable them to register with the HCPC and move to a preceptorship year as a band 5 dietitian.

You will combine working as a dietetics apprentice with on the job learning, academic modules and clinical placements. These placements will take place both internally and externally to the Trust in order for you to experience the breadth of healthcare services and meet the practice learning requirements of the programme.

You will be required to carry out delegated work from the dietetics team to which you are assigned in order to support the provision of individualised patient care under various levels of supervision, appropriate to your knowledge and skills.

You will undertake and complete all elements of the BSc Dietetics Apprenticeship, will be supported to attend university one day a week and will be allocated full time clinical placements to gain your degree in dietetics.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Date posted

11 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£29,970 to £36,483 a year per annum (Annex 21, see advert for details)

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-PET-035-HC

Job locations

Luton and Bedford

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Managing a caseload of patients in a variety of specialities and contributing to service improvement projects as directed by the appropriate clinical lead, providing this autonomously on completion of apprenticeship.

Having a good understanding of and contributing to the effective running of the nutrition and dietetic department and the speciality service that you are assigned to.

Taking appropriate action using problem solving skills to assist patients, health/social care professionals and members of the public with queries regarding the nutrition and dietetics service, performing this autonomously on completion of apprenticeship.

Accepting clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients within your own scope of practice and organising this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time, under the guidance of a registered dietitian until completion of apprenticeship.

Working as an autonomous practitioner by planning and prioritising own workload according to locally agreed priority coding and supporting dietetic assistant practitioners and less experienced dietitians to do the same once qualified.

Developing and maintaining a good knowledge of evidence-based practice, the common conditions you come across and national and local standards within your clinical areas.

Undertaking a comprehensive assessment (interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometrics, clinical condition and diet history) of patients including those with complex presentations/multi pathologies and using clinical reasoning skills to set nutritional goals for each patient, performing this autonomously on completion of apprenticeship.

Giving expert opinion on nutrition related issues where numerous social, ethical, psychological and medical factors have to be considered and where there may be conflicting ideas from the multidisciplinary team, providing this autonomously on completion of apprenticeship.

Negotiating and agreeing dietary interventions with patients and their carers, using appropriate counselling and motivational skills to optimise their nutritional status, performing this autonomously on completion of apprenticeship.

Making recommendations for appropriate prescription of nutritional products according to local guidelines regarding the use of nutritional supplements and enteral feeding products under the guidance of a registered dietitian until completion of apprenticeship.

Ensuring adequate monitoring and review of patients under the guidance of a registered dietitian until completion of apprenticeship.

Assessing the suitability of incoming referrals according to the agreed referral criteria performing this autonomously on completion of apprenticeship and liaising with the dietetic assistant practitioner if further information is required prior to acceptance.

Co-ordinating appropriate follow up, discharge arrangements and outward referrals to other services in order to facilitate the safe and timely discharge/transfer of care under the guidance of a registered dietitian until completion of apprenticeship.

Being responsible for safe discharge planning including co-ordination of patients requiring home enteral feeding under the guidance of a registered dietitian until completion of apprenticeship.

Having insight to recognise and act appropriately if vulnerable patients are at risk or deemed to be in need.

Being responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient records in line with BDA, Trust and department standards and provide statistics of patient contacts in a timely fashion.

Liaising with healthcare professionals at ward level, in the community and across the wider network.

Communicating complex, specialised and sensitive information with empathy and understanding to patients and their carers or other family members where appropriate.

Taking appropriate action using problem solving skills to assist patients, health and social care professionals and members of the public with queries relating to your own clinical areas.

Working as an integral part of the team you are assigned to, supporting them and working alongside the wider multi-disciplinary team.

Planning, delivering, evaluating and developing training and education sessions to patient and multi-disciplinary staff groups in conjunction with the relevant clinical lead.

Representing the nutrition and dietetics department at multi-disciplinary meetings and ward rounds to ensure delivery of high quality co-ordinated multi-disciplinary care with support from senior colleagues as required.

Working within Trust, departmental, HCPC and BDA clinical and professional guidelines, policies and procedures.

Contributing to the development and updating of policies, guidelines, patient information and other resources related to your clinical areas in conjunction with the clinical lead for that area.

Supporting the clinical lead in ensuring guidelines relating to your clinical areas are fully implemented across the department/MDT.

Reporting information required for managing and monitoring the service such as referral numbers, prioritisation of caseloads, outcome measures and user satisfaction surveys.

Contributing to audit, research and service evaluations to help deliver improvement in service delivery and clinical practice following discussion with the clinical lead for your clinical areas.

Working with colleagues to help the Trust meet the CQC standard for nutrition.

Where relevant, liaising with dietetic assistant practitioners, pharmacy, care home and nursing staff to ensure the availability and provision of appropriate specialised nutritional products.

Where relevant, co-ordinating the provision of suitable meals for inpatients on therapeutic diets through liaison with the catering department and the dietetic assistant practitioners.

Being responsible for maintaining own development and competency to practice through CPD activities.

Participating in and contributing to the organising and delivery of the department's CPD programme in collaboration with senior staff.

Being an active member of the department by the attendance and presenting at staff meetings, attending tutorials and training sessions.

Participating in the department appraisal scheme and being responsible for complying with agreed Personal Development Plans to meet knowledge and competencies.

Participating in regular supervision and providing supervision and support for less experienced dietitians and dietetic assistant practitioners on completion of apprenticeship.

Supporting the induction and recruitment of new staff members within the dietetic team you are allocated to.

Contributing to the upskilling of dietetic assistant practitioners in order to maintain staff skill mixes and ensure adequate resilience across the team you are allocated to once qualified.

Being responsible for the supervision and assessment of students during their placement once qualified. This will include the role as practice educator. With support and training, this may also include the role as weekly supervisor.

Working flexibly to support the nutrition and dietetics department.

Providing cover for other wards/departments at short notice to cover unplanned and planned absences within the post holders competency and skill level.

Undertaking any other duties as identified by the team leads as required for the successful delivery of the nutrition and dietetics department.

Upholding clinical workplace commitments alongside requirements for academic study, including attendance of quarterly progress review meetings and completing all necessary work within set deadlines.

Attend allocated placements agreed with the university and complete all associated learning required

Proactively liaise with and arrange supervision sessions with apprenticeship mentor.

Attend all agreed Trust mandatory training sessions at least annually and keep up-to date with E Learning in accordance with the Trusts training and appraisal policies.

Work within the bounds of own competencies and recognise limitations