Paediatric Dietitian – Home Enteral Feeds & Complex Needs

Job overview

Are you a newly qualified Dietitian or a current Band 5 looking to specialise in paediatrics? Would you like to join a dynamic, friendly and supportive team with a strong emphasis on development?

We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 5 Dietitian to join our specialist Children and Young People’s Service (SCYPS) in Newham, East London. This role is ideal for someone looking to build a solid foundation in paediatric dietetics with a focus on home enteral feeding and children with complex needs.

This is a development post with a structured two-year preceptorship programme, designed to support your progression to a Band 6 role. You will receive regular supervision, mentoring, and access to internal and external training opportunities funded by the Trust.

Apply now and take the first step into an exciting and fulfilling paediatric dietetic career.

Main duties of the job

• Provide evidence-based dietetic assessment, advice and intervention for children with nutritional support needs, including home enteral feeding, food fortification and oral nutrition support.
• Work under the supervision of senior dietitians and gradually build autonomy.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings, joint clinics, and case discussions with community nursing, paediatrics, SLT, physiotherapy, and social care.
• Develop communication skills with children, families and carers, ensuring sensitive and clear information delivery.
• Contribute to clinical audits, service improvement projects and resource development.
• Participate in internal CPD activities including journal clubs and professional updates.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will deliver evidence-based dietetic assessment, advice, and treatment for children with a variety of complex nutritional needs. These may include children requiring home enteral nutrition such as PEG or nasogastric feeding, those needing oral nutritional supplements, and those with developmental disabilities affecting feeding and growth. Dietetic interventions will be tailored and modified as needed based on changes in clinical status, and provided in diverse settings such as clinic, home visits, or educational environments.

They will be expected to communicate effectively and compassionately with children, families, and carers, using a variety of communication methods where appropriate. The role also involves close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team including community paediatricians, children’s nurses, therapists, GPs, social workers, and feeding company representatives. The dietitian will attend and contribute to multidisciplinary meetings and will be responsible for ensuring that accurate and timely documentation is provided to all relevant parties.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing their own caseload with support, prioritising referrals, and ensuring clinical activity is in line with demand and service priorities. Flexibility is required to help cover colleagues' caseloads during absences or periods of high demand. They will contribute to the resilience and sustainability of the wider SCYPS and Community Children’s Nursing team.

As part of their professional development, the post holder will engage in a comprehensive two-year preceptorship programme designed to provide the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to practice independently at Band 6 level. They will participate in regular clinical supervision, in-service training, journal clubs, and case discussions. Maintaining HCPC registration and a reflective CPD portfolio is essential.

The post holder will also contribute to the development of dietetic services by supporting the creation of resources, referral pathways, policies, and guidelines. Participation in audit, research, and clinical governance activities is expected to ensure a high-quality, safe, and responsive service. They must demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and be proactive in identifying and acting on service development opportunities.

In addition to clinical duties, the dietitian must adhere to all relevant Trust policies, including those concerning confidentiality, health and safety, infection control, safeguarding, equality and diversity, and risk management. They must also be committed to upholding the values of East London NHS Foundation Trust, including promoting service user and carer involvement in care delivery.

The post holder will also be expected to demonstrate flexibility, supporting colleagues across the service when needed, and undertake other duties appropriate to the band and role as requested by the line manager.