We are looking for an experienced. Motivated and skilled Dietician. The role will provide a highly specialist service for those adults suffering with general mental health conditions within the in-patient wards at the local Mental Health Hospital and clients within Learning Disability services who may not be able to access the mainstream services within North Staffordshire and Stoke. There is also a requirement to offer specialist dietetic assessment and intervention to the neurological older adult's wards. Part time hours will be considered.

The post holder will need to be able to prioritise their referrals and balance the caseload according to complexity of need.

The post holder will also provide training and support for colleagues, associated agencies clients and their carers and will work closely with the wider Integrated Care System Dietetic Service.

There will be an opportunityto get involved in steering group work and Pathway developments.

The post holder will have an interesting and varied role working within well established and supportive Multi-Disciplinary Teams.

Main duties of the job

The role will provide a highly specialist dietetic role for those adults suffering with a general mental health condition within the in-patient wards at the Harplands Hospital and the Learning Disability services within North Staffordshire and Stoke. (This role does not include support within the eating disorders services who have their own specialist dietitian) There is also a requirement to offer specialist dietetic assessment and intervention to the neurological older adult'sward and other speciality's if required. The role will also provide clinical supervision for clinical staff and students within the service as required and the post holder will offer student placements through liaison with the NSCHT (North Staffs Combined Healthcare NHS Trust) placement education team to organise opportunities. The post holder will work closely with the wider dietetics service inside outside of the Trust, and will be involved in steering group and MDT representative meetings.

About us

The Trust is currently rated Outstanding by the CQC and is committed to providing the highest quality services in all we do and how we do it.' Our team prides themselves on compassion, team work and resilience.

Job description Job responsibilities

Key Duties/Responsibilities

To work autonomously; organising and managing a caseload of adult clients diagnosed within the scope of the role. The post holder will be able to effectively manage the shared speciality caseload and be able to prioritise clinical needs of referred clients; providing effective clinical intervention and signposting where needed.

To provide a specialist dietetic service to; adults with a diagnosed learning disability, adults diagnosed with a general mental health condition and older adults within the in-patient wards where clients are unable to access mainstream dietetic services. Close work will be required with multi agencies and the local dietetic team within the integrated Care System (ICS) to support clients on caseload in a holistic person-centred way.

Working with clients, carers and MDT members to identify and address complex psychological and social factors that affect compliance with dietary treatment, to enable long term / permanent lifestyle changes that will aid recovery.

To undertake comprehensive assessments of each clients diet and lifestyle, to formulate individualised management and treatment plans ensuring optimal outcome whilst minimising risk.

To communicate effectively with clients, providing graded and meaningful communication around dietary advice and plans.

Using skills of persuasion, negotiation, motivation, and counselling with clients (and their families / carers) with wide ranging and complex needs to support compliance with dietetic intervention and advice. This may involve translating overly complex information into a format that is appropriate and understandable for clients / carers and, as appropriate, health professionals.

To communicate with referring clinicians and other agents as necessary through personal, written, telephone contact and email contact.

To make recommendations for the Procurement of supplements and to have oversight over food choices and the menu planning for food provided on the wards in keeping with the Hospital Food Standards 2014/ Independent review of hospital foods 2020.

To co-facilitate the running of a group therapy programmes for clients if required

To act as a resource to junior members or unqualified support staff with placements / working within the team

To write, implement and monitor guidelines for management of clients regarding dietetic support

To provide training and supervision to registered nursing and allied health professional staff to enable them to give basic dietetic support to clients with low physical risk and to advise the MDT team on nutritional care of their clients.

To participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of dietetic practice, care pathways, policies, and protocols within the scope of the role.

To take the lead on clinical research and audit of the dietetic interventions within the scope of the role, liaising with the Trusts research and development team where required.

To make effective clinical recordings within the clients EPR (Electronic Patient Records), including completing initial core assessments, client care plans and risk assessments as well as developing and providing timely discharge reports.

Professional Practice - Dietetic Clinical Care

To work autonomously to organise, provide and manage a caseload of adult clients diagnosed within the scope of the role. This will involve:

Comprehensive assessment and provision of individual or group dietary advice / treatment and on-going support to clients and / or carers according to medical history, clinical condition / diagnosis / risk, anthropometry, biochemistry, relevant medication, social circumstances, motivation, and nutritional intake etc.

Providing dietetic expertise at multi-disciplinary team meetings, ward reviews and case conferences.

Providing timely and informative reports to the referrer (and other relevant workers / organisations) about the outcome of dietetic assessment (including nutritional status) and dietary advice / treatment advised.

Working in a variety of locations including in-patient ward, community clinics, clients own homes and other community locations.

Maintaining an integrated and holistic approach to client care that actively involves the person and, where appropriate (and with consent), relatives / carers in the delivery of agreed treatment programmes. This may include leading and facilitating carers groups as well as the development of educational resources for carers.

Being professionally, legally accountable, and responsible for all aspects of own work (including management and organisation of own work area and / or client caseload).

To have a wide and accurate knowledge of prescribed oral nutritional supplements and to be able to communicate this to a wide range of health care professionals, clients, and their carers.

To establish and maintain close working relationships with the wider multi-disciplinary team (including Senior and Consultant Nurses, Consultant Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Ward Nurses, Therapists, Occupational Therapists etc.), the mental health care teams, primary health care team, various hospital teams (e.g.: Dietitians, Consultants, Clinical Nurse Specialists) and pharmacist

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• oDegree in Nutrition and Dietetic or equivalent oHPC registration or willing to reapply to HCPC through return to practice route oRelevant teaching and / or leadership qualification

Experience Essential

• oDemonstrates a level of expertise using motivational interviewing / behaviour change approaches with groups or in a one-to-one setting (CBT or equivalent) oEvidence of CPD relevant to the clinical speciality of LD MH Neurology and older persons oA wide range of post registration clinical dietetic experience

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

232-SPL-3884051-C