Senior Dietician

Job summary
Are you someone looking for a career in one of the UK's most respected mental health and learning disability trusts?

Would you like to be part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference to peoples lives to enjoy a better future?

We are looking for a 0.6 WTE Band 6 Specialist Eating Disorder Dietitian to work on our specialist eating disorders unit (Haldon). This is a fixed-term post for 6 months. We are looking for an enthusiastic, dynamic individual. The Haldon Unit has an established multidisciplinary approach and dietetics is integral. Training in eating disorders and the different therapeutic approaches used in the treatment of this condition will be provided and CPD is actively supported by the team.

You will be expected to hold a caseload of clients with moderate to severe eating disorders, delivering assessments and therapeutic interventions. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team and will be expected to be a good communicator and team player. You will need to be confident within a busy in-patient environment. Flexibility and the ability to adapt will be essential to meet the varied demands of this role.

The ideal candidate for this role will have the above skills along with lots of enthusiasm and passion as well as a can-do attitude so if this describes you please consider applying

Working as part of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, you will make a difference to peoples lives from the moment you start.

Interview date will be either: 20/10/26 and/or 23/10/26

Main duties of the job

• To manage a specialist caseload of patients with complex nutritional and psychiatric needs, using evidence based and person cantered principles, to assess, plan, implement and evaluate nutrition treatment plans.
• To contribute to the management of resources within the clinical and professional area, e.g. nutritional products, equipment and literature.
• To act as a resource on nutritional issues to the multidisciplinary team across the Trust, promoting healthy lifestyle and good nutrition for all individuals that use the services and to provide relevant staff training.
• To contribute to planning, developing and evaluation of the dietetic service within the Trust.
• Be a core member of the Haldon multi-disciplinary team, liaising with other members of the team to provide integrated dietetic care.
• Communicate with individuals who use the service, using the most appropriate verbal, written or pictorial methods, in a way that represents their views, autonomy and culture.
• Translate complex key nutritional information into simple ideas and language that can be easily understood.
• Work collaboratively with all members of the treatment team and share information with team members formally and informally, e.g. clinical reviews, risk meetings
• Be involved in preparing and planning evidence based diet sheets, teaching material, dietetic literature and specialist service literature.

About us
About Devon Partnership Trust

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job responsibilities
Communication and Working Relationship Skills

• Be a core member of the Haldon multi-disciplinary team, liaising with other members of the team to provide integrated dietetic care
• Communicate with individuals who use the service, using the most appropriate verbal, written or pictorial methods, in a way that represents their views, autonomy and culture
• Translate complex key nutritional information into simple ideas and language that can be easily understood
• Be involved in preparing and planning evidence based diet sheets, teaching material, dietetic literature and specialist service literature
• Work collaboratively with all members of the treatment team and share information with team members formally and informally, e.g. clinical reviews, risk meetings
• Share relevant information and knowledge within the professional group
• Supporting and counselling highly distressed or confused individuals around their dietary care plan

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

• Work autonomously as a specialist dietitian and manage a varied and potentially complex caseload of individuals with an eating disorder.
• Complete full assessments of individuals nutritional status, using appropriate anthropometric, biochemical and medical records and identify their nutritional requirements
• Devise core and specialist nutritional treatment plans, e.g. diabetes, weight reduction, nutritional support, food intolerance, and allergies.
• Implement specialist group and individual treatments to achieve identified treatment goals
• Identify and manage the risk of re-feeding syndrome in nutritionally depleted individuals
• Risk assess own work load, environment and take necessary precautions to minimise risks to self and others

Planning and Organisational Skills

• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent, reliable attendance
• To prioritise referrals in order to deliver a service within resources to those of highest clinical need
• To plan, co-ordinate and deliver nutrition groups across the service as necessary

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

• Ensure that the therapeutic diets, as prescribed, are delivered to individuals using the service, liaising with nursing staff, catering staff, pharmacy and supplies department to ensure this
• To act as a source of expertise on nutrition and diet therapy for individuals using our service and the multi -disciplinary team
• To plan, develop and deliver nutritional groups

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

• Contribute to clinical governance and quality agenda activities within the organisation
• Be aware of, and undertake measures to meet targets for organisational key performance indicators
• Contribute to the monitoring and audit of service provision, revising practice to ensure that standards are maintained
• Engage in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities to implement evidence based practice
• Share and disseminate research findings with professional colleagues in the interest of practice development
• Ensure that own practice is in line with NICE and MEED guidelines and is evidence based

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

• To be responsible for advising on resources necessary to carry out the role and contribute to maintaining the non-salary budget within the clinical and professional area
• Practice in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act, considering relevant aspects of risk management
• Manage and order specialist dietetic products such as enteral feeds and oral supplements

Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management

• To review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional supervision and annual appraisal
• Demonstrate commitment to continued professional development through participation in internal and external development opportunities identified in supervision and/or annual appraisal
• Maintain professional portfolio in line with Health Professions Council requirements
• Keep abreast of relevant new national guidelines and initiatives and recommendations for the British Dietetic Association and other organisations ensuring that practice is evidence based and current
• Attend statutory and mandatory training
• To maintain professional registration with the Health Professions Council
• To ensure that practice complies with the Health Profession Council regulations and the British Dietetic Association Professional Code of Conduct
• Adhere to all organisational policies and procedures

Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties

• Complete all necessary clinical documentation in accordance with organisational and professional standards
• Provide written nutritional plans and/or dietary goals to support the care plan
• Provide written reports in accordance with the organisation and professional standards for service user reviews/clinical meetings

Responsibility for Research and Development

• Engage in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities to implement evidence- based practice

Freedom to Act

• Work autonomously as a specialist dietitian and manage own varied and potentially complex caseload in various specialist clinical areas

Any Other Specific Tasks Required

• To provide advice/support to the dietetic team when the other dietitians are not available, by liaising with the multidisciplinary team

Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge and experience of a wide range of approaches to clinical dietetics
• Previous experience of clinical governance
• Ability to demonstrate sound knowledge and application of up to date, evidence-based practice
• Understanding to the structure of the NHS, where it impacts on dietetic practice

Experience
Essential

• Evidence of experience of working within the field of mental health/eating disorders/neurodiversity/
• Experience of facilitating group education

Desirable

• Experience of developing, implementing and auditing projects
• Member of relevant specialist dietitians groups
• Experience of research

Qualifications
Essential

• Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or post-graduate diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Health Professions Council registration as a dietitian
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Post registration training or experience in mental health/learning disabilites/neurodiversity

Desirable

• Motivational interviewing or counselling skills
• PENG clinical update (parenteral and enteral nutrition group of the BDA)
• Food hygiene certificate

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).