Band 6 Mental Health Dietitian - Bath

Job overview

Are you looking to step into a specialty where you can utilise your complex physical health skills while developing deep, holistic clinical relationships?

We are seeking an autonomous and motivated Band 6 Mental Health Dietitian to join our BSW (Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire) Dietetics team.  Based primarily at Hillview Lodge inpatient unit in Bath, you will work alongside an integrated AHP team and ward staff to deliver excellent care to adult service users.  The role also includes travel to Green Lane Hospital in Devizes and other BSW sites as required.

Maintaining a connected, psychologically safe team atmosphere is vital to us.  Although our dietitians are geographically spread across BSW and Bristol, we have a strong virtual network to ensure no one works in isolation.  Daily MS Teams check‑ins, quarterly Team Days and regular 1:1 clinical supervision (including monthly face‑to‑face visits to Bath) provide consistent support.  Protected CPD time and dedicated reflective practice space are built into the role to support your development as a mental health specialist.

We are a progressive, flexible team and warmly welcome informal discussions prior to application or interview.

Right to Work in the UK This position is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already hold the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application, as the organisation is unable to support sponsorship for this post.

Main duties of the job

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

• Providing, maintaining and developing a clinical dietetics 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 dietetics training for professional and support staff.
• Participate in training student dietitians.
• 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.
• To maintain strong links within your professional structures and your profession’s lead within the Trust, supporting ongoing professional development, modernisation, and adherence to professional 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 inpatient teams.

Detailed job description and main 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.