Specialist Weight Management Dietitian

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a Dietitian with NHS  experience and an understanding of Tier 3 services to join our Specialist weight management service which works as part of the wider Tier 3 Specialist Weight Management Team.

We are supported by Dietetic Assistant Practitioners and are actively involved in the training of student dietitians.

• To carry out dietetic assessment appropriate to role and experience, provide nutritional diagnosis and provide a dietetic treatment plan for patients / clients.
• To hold responsibility for own patient caseload including patients with complex presentations
• Maintain clinical records in line with local / Trust documentation guidelines
• To liaise with dietetic colleagues and other members of the multidisciplinary team as necessary e.g. Medical, nursing, catering and other health care professionals
• To work within National and Trust policies / guidelines; and HCPC and BDA standards and codes of conduct
• To have a solid understanding of national and local standards and able to monitor own practice against these
• To participate in bank holiday working and work flexible hours to meet the needs of the patients if required

Please be advised that sponsorship is not eligible for this post.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties of the job

• To assess and monitor patients under the Tier 3 specialist weight management service
• To liase with all relevant healthcare professionals involved in the patient's care
• To support student dietitians from Coventry & Birmingham Universities throughout their clinical placements
• Carry out dietetic / nutritional assessments (including interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometrics, clinical condition and diet history) to determine nutritional diagnosis
• Use enhanced clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist individual dietetic advice and treatment plans for patients who may present with multiple / complex clinical conditions taking into consideration patients own goals and incorporate discharge planning as appropriate
• Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment plans as required
• Communicate nutrition and dietetic information in an understandable form to staff, clients and carers using teaching, motivation and counselling skills including situations where there are barriers to change
• Undertake department audit and service development work, translating findings into practice
• Plan and organise the clinical supervision of student dietitians on clinical placement including planning, timetables and written assessments

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Support teaching / nutrition education of peers and multi professional colleagues
• Engage in department and own CPD activities
• Cover the work of colleagues and deputise for senior colleagues during periods of absence or peak workloads
• Participate in health promotion activities of the department
• Participate in other duties as required
• Work as an autonomous practitioner working within the BDA code of professional conduct and the HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics and standards of proficiency (Dietitians)
• Plan and prioritise own workload and evaluate own practice
• Complete any relevant Band 6 dietetic competencies
• Identify and understand risks and benefits of own practice
• Seek support from senior colleagues and peers when necessary (aware of own scope of practice)
• Aware of local risk escalation and reporting process and ensure that this is followed when a risk is identified.
• Provide person centred dietetic care considering the wishes of the service user during assessment, nutritional diagnosis and provision of dietetic treatment plan
• Document patient activity data in accordance with Trust and professional standards
• Utilise enhanced communication skills and work with groups and individuals with varying communication needs
• Treat others fairly and interact with honesty and integrity
• Assess capacity, gain valid informed consent where possible and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients/clients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.