Senior Dietitian

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will deliver a high quality Band 6 generalist acute dietetic service across a range of medical and surgical specialties within Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The role includes managing a defined caseload with regular dietetic input into cardiology services alongside work within stroke, gastroenterology and surgical services, supporting the nutritional management of patients with diverse clinical needs across both inpatient and outpatient settings.

The post holder will undertake comprehensive nutritional assessments, including the collection and interpretation of dietary history and relevant clinical information, to inform individualised care planning. They will develop, implement and evaluate dietetic care plans and feeding regimens using evidence based practice, national guidance and established departmental protocols. Patient progress will be monitored through regular review, with interventions adjusted as required to support agreed clinical outcomes.

A defined proportion of the role will focus on cardiology dietetics. This will include assessing patients with cardiovascular conditions, contributing to agreed elements of the cardiac rehabilitation pathway, updating patient resources where appropriate and delivering nutrition education in line with service frameworks, protocols and clinical guidelines.

The post holder will work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, participating in ward based activity, ward rounds, MDT meetings and outpatient clinics as appropriate. They will liaise closely with medical, nursing and allied health professionals to support coordinated and patient centred care and contribute dietetic expertise to clinical decision making.

The role includes contributing to discharge planning for patients requiring ongoing nutritional support, including communication with community dietetic services and other relevant agencies to ensure continuity of care and safe transitions between inpatient and outpatient pathways.

The post holder will communicate effectively with patients, carers and family members, providing clear, accurate and practical dietary advice in a supportive and empathetic manner, taking into account individual needs, preferences and cultural considerations.

They will advise on the appropriate use of oral nutritional supplements and enteral feeds in line with Trust policy, clinical guidelines and their level of competence and will liaise with Catering Services where appropriate to support the provision of suitable meals and special dietary requirements.

The post holder will maintain accurate, timely and professional clinical documentation in patient records, ensuring compliance with professional standards, information governance requirements and Trust policies.

They will support the day to day work of dietetic assistants and contribute to the supervision and education of student dietitians in line with departmental guidance and their level of experience.

The post holder will provide cross cover for other dietitians within the service in line with service needs and agreed working arrangements.

They will contribute to audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activity, including data collection and participation in agreed projects led by senior members of the dietetic team, to support service development and quality assurance.

The post holder will work independently within defined professional and departmental boundaries, recognise the limits of their practice and seek guidance and supervision appropriately when managing complex or high risk clinical situations.

They will participate in regular clinical supervision, annual appraisal and continuing professional development activities to maintain and enhance professional competence.

The post holder will work at all times in accordance with HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics and comply with all relevant departmental and Trust policies and procedures.

They will comply with Trust requirements relating to health and safety, safeguarding, infection prevention and control, information governance and equality and diversity and will contribute to maintaining a safe, respectful and inclusive working environment.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Degree or equivalent in Nutrition & Dietetics
• HCPC registration

Desirable criteria

• Post graduate qualification such as MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Dietetics - modules or equivalent

Experience

Essential criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Understanding of Diversity and Inclusion challenges in the workplace
• Experience of teaching/presenting to groups of patients and healthcare professionals
• Experience of working in dietetics at band 6 level

Desirable criteria

• Completion of any training in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) within the last two years.
• NHS based experience

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Post-registration experience working in general dietetics
• Knowledge of cardiology dietetics or another relevant clinical area, with the ability to apply this knowledge within agreed clinical frameworks
• Experience of working in dietetics at band 6 level

Desirable criteria

• Involvement in service improvement or audit projects within a dietetic or clinical setting
• Experience supervising dietetic students or support staff in a clinical setting

Skills

Essential criteria

• Ability to contribute to the delivery and ongoing development of dietetic practice through effective clinical work, reflection and participation in agreed service activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and appropriately with patients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Good IT skills, including confident use of standard software packages such as Word and Excel and electronic patient record systems.
• Effective time management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workload and manage a defined caseload within service demands.

Desirable criteria

• Experience working as a part of an MDT

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Documents to download

• Job Description (PDF, 208.4KB)
• Person Specification (PDF, 48.5KB)
• Functional Aspects (PDF, 160.6KB)
• L&D Hospital site map (PDF, 96.8KB)
• Disclosure & Barring Information and Recruitment of Ex-Offenders (PDF, 78.5KB)
• Staff Diversity Network (PDF, 140.3KB)
• Information for Disabled Applicants (PDF, 98.7KB)
• Staff Benefits (PNG, 1.6MB)