Job summary
Paediatric Dietitian
Department of Nutrition & Dietetics
Band 6 £37,338 - £44,962
Hours: Up to 37.5 hrs per week - part time hours will also be considered
Candidates with less experience are welcome to apply, as we will support their development from B5 to meet B6 competencies.
We are looking for an enthusiastic paediatric dietitian, with excellent clinical and communication skills, to join our friendly and supportive team based at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
You should have good interpersonal and time management skills, with an ability to be flexible and have a strong commitment to teamwork.
The successful candidate will work closely with the multi-disciplinary paediatric team providing specialist dietetic care to children both as inpatients and outpatients.
The paediatric dietetic team consists of 6 dietitians and a dietetic assistant practitioner providing a service to a number of specialist areas including allergy, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, neonatal unit, home enteral feeding and prescribing support.
This is in addition to general paediatric clinics where infants and children are seen with a range of conditions including faltering growth, nutritional support, and cow's milk allergy.
For further information, please contact Jane Stanger or Sophie Jupe, Lead Dietitians for Paediatrics on 01908 996004
Interview date: Week commencing 21st October 2024.
Main duties of the job
You will bejoining our wider forward- thinking department of over 30 registered dietitians, dietetic support workers and admin staff,coveringacute, community, paediatric and learning disability services.We haveexcellent support staff andtake students forclinical placements from University of Surrey and Coventry University.
The candidate is likely to cover general paediatric clinics, inpatient work on the children's ward, and have exposure and input to specialist areas. An individual's previous experience and skill set will determine the specific caseload assigned.
As a Department and Trust, we will provide support and opportunities for clinical and leadership CPD. We also committed to supporting external education and career development opportunities. We have a dedicated Therapy Practice Education team to support staff development.
About us
This staff group indicates that MKUH addresses the concerns of patients and service users, prioritising patient care above all else. (NHS Staff Survey 2023).
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
To develop and maintain a high standard of knowledge and practical experience in general dietetics, and to provide specialist expertise in the areas of paediatrics.
To manage a highly diverse caseload.
To draw up treatment plans for patients on caseload and guidelines for the effective practice of paediatric dietetics.
To anaylse information and investigation results to help formulate treatment plan (such as blood results, dietary analysis, anthropometrics).
Professional
To maintain a culture of confidentiality.
To identify problems where changes to practices and systems or additional resources are required to support caseload and to discuss these with line manager.
To communicate dietary advice clearly and sensitively to all key working relationships, using educational material, writing reports and presentations to groups. Some of the information may be complex (e.g. multiple dietary exclusion plans) or distressing (e.g. babies and children with newly diagnosed diabetes). There may be barriers to understanding such as parents / carers unable to read or have learning difficulties.
To carry out all supporting activities such as keeping records and providing statistics which contribute to the efficient running of the service.
To be proactive in identifying and addressing the educational needs of patients and carers, including medical, nursing and catering staff and other health professionals.
To ascertain the requirements for student training particularly as related to paediatrics, and to devise, deliver and supervise part of the student training programme.
To be jointly responsible for delegated planning, delivery and supervision of junior dietitian training in paediatrics.
Organisational
To ensure that your own practice meet the required professional standards of dietetic practice.
To be responsible for your own caseload with dietetic support to meet service and patient priorities, readjusting plans as situations change/arise.
To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures.
To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Therapy Lead or Therapy Services Manager.
Committee Membership
The post holder will be required to represent the Dietetic Department at internal or external meetings as appropriate including attendance at:
Departmental Quality meetings
Paediatric Team meetings
Safeguarding meetings
Multi-disciplinary meetings
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
To develop and maintain a high standard of knowledge and practical experience in general dietetics, and to provide specialist expertise in the areas of paediatrics.
To manage a highly diverse caseload.
To draw up treatment plans for patients on caseload and guidelines for the effective practice of paediatric dietetics.
To anaylse information and investigation results to help formulate treatment plan (such as blood results, dietary analysis, anthropometrics).
Professional
To maintain a culture of confidentiality.
To identify problems where changes to practices and systems or additional resources are required to support caseload and to discuss these with line manager.
To communicate dietary advice clearly and sensitively to all key working relationships, using educational material, writing reports and presentations to groups. Some of the information may be complex (e.g. multiple dietary exclusion plans) or distressing (e.g. babies and children with newly diagnosed diabetes). There may be barriers to understanding such as parents / carers unable to read or have learning difficulties.
To carry out all supporting activities such as keeping records and providing statistics which contribute to the efficient running of the service.
To be proactive in identifying and addressing the educational needs of patients and carers, including medical, nursing and catering staff and other health professionals.
To ascertain the requirements for student training particularly as related to paediatrics, and to devise, deliver and supervise part of the student training programme.
To be jointly responsible for delegated planning, delivery and supervision of junior dietitian training in paediatrics.
Organisational
To ensure that your own practice meet the required professional standards of dietetic practice.
To be responsible for your own caseload with dietetic support to meet service and patient priorities, readjusting plans as situations change/arise.
To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures.
To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Therapy Lead or Therapy Services Manager.
Committee Membership
The post holder will be required to represent the Dietetic Department at internal or external meetings as appropriate including attendance at:
Departmental Quality meetings
Paediatric Team meetings
Safeguarding meetings
Multi-disciplinary meetings
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Degree or equivalent in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Registration as a dietitian with the Health and Care Professions Council HCPC (UK)
- Documentary evidence of a range of continuous professional development (CPD) equivalent to a post graduate level experience
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of national guidelines relevant to clinical area
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of evidenced based clinical practice for a range of conditions.
Desirable
- Attendance to BDA paediatric specialist module/s (MSc or CPD level)
- Membership of the British Dietetic Association
Experience
Essential
- Post -registration experience in a range of dietetic clinical areas.
- Ability to autonomously manage a caseload of complex patients.
Desirable
- Paediatric dietetic experience.
- Supervision and training of students and junior members of staff
Skills
Essential
- High level of written and verbal communication skills including report writing
- Proven time management skills
- Ability to appropriately apply a range of treatment approaches
- Ability to problem-solve and demonstrate clinical reasoning based on experience and knowledge
- Ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation in line with legal and Trust standards
Personal and people development
Essential
- Flexible and adaptable to the demands of the service
- Ability to prioritise own caseload
- Able to reflect and appraise own performance
- Able to maintain effective working relationships
Communication
Essential
- Competent in the use of IT including proficiency with emails, ability to document electronically in a timely manner
- Ability to deliver sensitive information in a tactful and empathetic manner
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Desirable
- Car driver with valid license and access to a car for travelling across Milton Keynes to visit patients or to other bases
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Degree or equivalent in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Registration as a dietitian with the Health and Care Professions Council HCPC (UK)
- Documentary evidence of a range of continuous professional development (CPD) equivalent to a post graduate level experience
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of national guidelines relevant to clinical area
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of evidenced based clinical practice for a range of conditions.
Desirable
- Attendance to BDA paediatric specialist module/s (MSc or CPD level)
- Membership of the British Dietetic Association
Experience
Essential
- Post -registration experience in a range of dietetic clinical areas.
- Ability to autonomously manage a caseload of complex patients.
Desirable
- Paediatric dietetic experience.
- Supervision and training of students and junior members of staff
Skills
Essential
- High level of written and verbal communication skills including report writing
- Proven time management skills
- Ability to appropriately apply a range of treatment approaches
- Ability to problem-solve and demonstrate clinical reasoning based on experience and knowledge
- Ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation in line with legal and Trust standards
Personal and people development
Essential
- Flexible and adaptable to the demands of the service
- Ability to prioritise own caseload
- Able to reflect and appraise own performance
- Able to maintain effective working relationships
Communication
Essential
- Competent in the use of IT including proficiency with emails, ability to document electronically in a timely manner
- Ability to deliver sensitive information in a tactful and empathetic manner
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Desirable
- Car driver with valid license and access to a car for travelling across Milton Keynes to visit patients or to other bases
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).
