DBS4708 Food and Health Officer - Nutritionist

Job description

Job responsibilities

The following list is a typical list of the duties that the postholder will be expected to perform. It is not necessarily exhaustive and other duties of a similar nature and level may be required from time to time.

· Quality assure and directly deliver relevant elements of the nutritional education sessions as part of tier 2 weight management interventions.

· Develop and build on resources to provide nutrition education and training to different groups of staff and customers as part of wider interventions including but not limited to pre and post natal groups, staff working with preschool children.

· Deliver presentations to a variety of groups within designated areas

· Develop positive relationships with internal and external colleagues and utilise analytical skills to develop bespoke and relevant training based on audience needs but grounded in approved national guidance; Government Publications - The Eatwell Guide ; NHS Healthier Families ; NHS Better Health (Adults)

· Manage food and health worker time and identify priorities for direct intervention in areas of highest need (specifically tackling areas of health inequality). Deliver / oversee delivery of cooking groups / education session

· Liaise with other professionals, e.g. Health Visitors, Midwives, Learning Mentors, Teachers, Cooks, Sport and Leisure staff, Children’s centre staff, Volunteer and Community Leads in relation to all of the above.

· Communicate nutritional information in an understandable form to clients and staff which requires negotiating, persuasive, motivational and counselling skills. Some clients will be suffering from mental health problems, learning difficulties, challenging behaviour, or where English is not their first language.

· Implement policies and propose / encourage change to working practices or procedures in own designated area and within community organisations

· Deliver accredited and non-accredited nutritional training courses as necessary.

· Provide advice and support healthy eating initiatives in the workplace

· Proactively promote positive food messages in staff and community venues – informally and formally as part of targeted roadshows / events

· Effectively evaluate initiatives and the impact of training including production of report information, statistics and quality evaluation.

· Ensure all guidance and training is up to date and evidence based

· Regularly responsible for purchasing foods or resources for training and cooking group sessions within an agreed budget.

· Ensure all healthy and safety protocols are in place for all delivery including up to date risk assessments / food hygiene procedures (when appropriate).

All information shared must be appropriate and follow national standard / guidance for good nutrition standards. Government Publications - The Eatwell Guide ; NHS Healthier Families ; NHS Better Health (Adults)

The post holder should be a registered Nutritionist or be prepared to work toward this quality standard. Any professional body fees are expected to be funded by the post holder as part of their own independent CPD. Note three years’ experience is required before you can be registered.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level in nutrition or subject containing a substantial nutrition element.
• Be willing to register as a Registered Nutritionist in the Association of Nutritionists to support CPD and ensure all information shared is up to date and evidence based.

Desirable

• Basic food Hygiene certificate (to be completed on appointment if do not hold current one).
• Further education teaching qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Be a registered Nutritionist as part of the Association of Nutritionists

Experience

Essential

• Analytical skills to develop needs led nutritional intervention / advice depending on client / group(s). Interpret national guidance and make it accessible and impactful depending on individuals / groups.
• Skills to communicate nutritional information in an understandable format based on the needs of the individuals / groups. Some clients will be suffering from mental health problems, learning difficulties / poor educational standards, challenging behaviour, or where English is not their first language.
• To assess and prioritise the need for nutritional interventions within designated areas
• Skill to effectively manage group dynamics in training / education sessions
• Ability to appropriately motivate groups and individuals to change behaviour
• Good ICT skills and proficient in Microsoft Office Software
• Excellent communication and Interpersonal skills
• Planning and organisation skills with the ability to manage a varied workload against conflicting demands and timescales
• Evaluation and report writing skills
• Tenacity
• Previous experience working in a nutrition related area, some of which should be within the community setting
• Demonstrate experience of supporting behaviour changes with groups and individuals
• Experience in delivering group presentations and training
• Experience of managing staff and processes related to this (e.g. performance management, feedback, personal review processes)
• Flexible and highly motivated
• Able to work as part of a team and independently
• Commitment to equality and diversity
• The service is needs led. There will be a requirement to develop and deliver brand new and creative programmes to support nutritional input and also for positive relationship building.

Desirable

• Proven evidence of personal impact on supporting behaviour changes in relation to nutritional input
• Valid driving licence and access to personal transport
• Experience in report writing
• Experience of working with diverse cultures and also supporting people who may have additional learning needs

Employer details

Employer name

North Tyneside Council

Address

Cobalt Business Park

Silverlink North

North Tyneside

NE27 0BY

Employer's website

https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)