Specialist Dietitian

We are looking for a friendly and motivated dietitian to join our fast-paced Greenwich community team. This role will primarily consist of home visits following the Food First dietetic approach. The post holder will also need to on an ad hoc basis cover clinics across the borough which are on the primary care caseload and also support Home Enteral nutrition team as needed. Training will be provided where necessary.

The Food First dietetic caseload includes assessment and on-going reviews of housebound patients and care home residents at risk of malnutrition. The service will include training programs to up-skill community catering teams and nursing homes on the 'food first' approach.

The Primary Care dietetic caseload involves delivering GP based clinics including gastroenterology and nutrition support services for malnourished patients.

The Home Enteral Nutrition dietetic caseload provides aftercare for patients following discharge from hospital to deal with any problems that arise associated with tube feeding and advise accordingly.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a high standard of dietetic service to clients referred to the community based dietetic service for those registered with a GP in the London Borough of Greenwich;
• To provide tailored dietary advice underpinned by theory to bring about patient centred lifestyle changes to improve health
• To work as part of a multi and interdisciplinary team as an autonomous practitioner within the Trust, ensuring the highest possible standards of practice.
• To prepare and deliver presentations and training programs to clients and healthcare professionals at primary care level, using current evidence-based resources
• Participate in outcome evaluation to direct the service development

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and implement oral nutrition support programmes within the community, including dissemination and promotion of MUST across care homes, district nursing teams, GPs, bedded units, catering services and other healthcare providers.
• Provide specialist dietetic assessment, treatment and monitoring for adults referred by GPs, consultants and other healthcare professionals.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge in nutrition support, weight management and gastroenterology, including low FODMAP dietary approaches, underpinned by evidence-based practice.
• Work autonomously to assess complex patients, interpret clinical information, biochemistry and anthropometry, calculate nutritional requirements and develop individualised care plans.
• Use advanced clinical reasoning when managing patients with multiple pathologies, incomplete referral information or complex nutritional needs.
• Triage referrals and determine appropriateness for dietetic intervention or onward referral.
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and wider clinical networks to coordinate patient care.
• Obtain informed consent in accordance with professional and organisational standards.
• Maintain accurate electronic clinical records and correspondence in accordance with Trust, professional and legal requirements.
• Manage a community caseload, prioritising workload effectively and coordinating care transitions across services and boroughs.
• Provide support, supervision and guidance to junior staff, assistants and students.
• Participate in mandatory training and continuing professional development activities.

Managerial and Leadership Responsibilities

• Be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of clinical practice.
• Participate in the induction, training and development of new staff.
• Maintain CPD through supervision, reflective practice, study days and professional development activities.
• Undertake supervision and appraisal responsibilities for support staff where appropriate.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the dietetic service in line with local and national standards.
• Ensure compliance with HCPC, BDA, Trust and departmental policies and standards.
• Participate in relevant professional interest groups and networks.
• Support service development initiatives and identify opportunities to improve community dietetic provision.
• Provide flexible cross-cover when required to maintain service delivery.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Monitor, review and adapt nutritional care plans based on clinical outcomes and patient goals.
• Provide evidence-based nutrition education and advice to patients, carers and relatives.
• Identify and manage clinical risks within own caseload.
• Produce high-quality clinical documentation, discharge summaries and reports.
• Deliver training and education to healthcare professionals, carers and partner organisations.
• Support the use of MUST and basic nutrition screening skills across community services.
• Supervise and support assistants involved in nutrition screening and monitoring activities.
• Maintain nutritional supplement stock and liaise with suppliers when required.
• Organise and manage workload effectively to ensure safe and efficient caseload management.
• Maintain activity data and provide statistical information as required.
• Participate in team meetings, case conferences and Trust-wide activities.
• Work sensitively with patients experiencing distress, anxiety, cognitive impairment or challenging circumstances.
• Work in a variety of community settings, including environments with occasional exposure to unpleasant conditions and bodily fluids.
• Undertake additional duties consistent with the grade of the post as required by service needs.

Research and Quality Improvement

• Participate in audit, service evaluation and quality improvement projects.
• Present findings and share learning to support service development.
• Support colleagues undertaking audit, research or service improvement work.
• Maintain knowledge of current evidence, NICE guidance and best practice standards.
• Contribute to monitoring and improving quality through clinical audit and evaluation activities.

Communication

• Communicate complex nutritional information clearly to diverse patient groups, including those with communication barriers.
• Use effective motivational and behaviour-change techniques to support patients in achieving nutritional goals.
• Manage sensitive, emotional and challenging conversations with empathy and professionalism.
• Work closely with GPs, social services, community nursing teams, care homes, housing providers, acute dietetic teams and other agencies involved in patient care.
• Deliver presentations, training sessions and educational workshops to both small and large groups.

On-Call / Unsocial Hours The post currently does not involve weekend, on-call or unsocial-hours working. However, the post holder may be required to participate in a future weekend rota should service requirements change.