Job vacancy: Weight Management Dietitian, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Torquay

Job summary

Main area: Weight Management Dietitian
Grade: NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract: Fixed term: 12 months (Contract extension may be available)
Hours: Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Post includes some evening work)
Job ref: 388-7371256-FC&I

Employer: Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: St Edmunds
Town: Torquay
Salary: £31,049 - £37,796 per annum pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 03/09/2025 23:59

Weight Management Dietitian

NHS AfC: Band 5

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication and working relationships

To work as an integral member of the specialist weight management MDT
To communicate and establish working relationships with:
- - Specialist weight management MDT members, including consultant endocrinologists, psychologists, physical activity specialists, support workers and administrative staff
  - County wide Tier 3 weight management teams
  - Local dietetic teams, including acute, community and diabetes dietetic teams
  - Other weight management dietitians, locally, regionally and nationally to share best practice
  - General Practitioners and other primary care staff
  - Allied Health Professionals
  - Other health and social care professionals
  - Other private and public organisations
  - Media
  - Self-help groups
  - Patients, relatives and carers
  - Students – dietetic and other professions

· To interpret and communicate the science of nutrition to the community and multi-agency professionals that reflects evidence-based practice at local, national and strategic level

· To actively participate in regular specialist weight management multidisciplinary team meetings

Analytical and judgement

To collate evidence to assist evaluation of service provision, patient activity statistics, health outcomes and patient satisfaction (e.g. Friends and Family Tests)
Support the evaluation of the specialist weight management service, in conjunction with the wider Tier 3 MDT and dietetics team
To critically appraise own dietetic practice, identifying learning needs as appropriate

Planning and organisation

Assist in the planning, development and delivery of specialist weight management, multicomponent group education programmes. Programmes may be delivered within a variety of community settings, within Torbay and South Devon
To manage own clinical caseload and service demands as an autonomous practitioner within the specialist weight management service
To plan, deliver and evaluate education and training sessions to a variety of groups including health and social care professionals and patients. Training may be face to face or using Microsoft Teams

Physical skills

Manual dexterity to assess height, weight and anthropometry using a range of measurements

· Ability to undertake the manual handling of group programme resources and equipment, including bariatric seating, IT equipment and teaching resources

· Keyboard, presentation and IT skills

· Dictaphone use for letter dictation

Patient and client care

To provide dietetic weight management support to patients with long term medical, psychological and social complexities both individually and within a group setting
To reassess and amend advice dependent on medical, emotional, ethical and social developments and multidisciplinary decisions made on the patients care pathway
To participate in regular multidisciplinary team discussions regarding specialist weight management service patients
To explain nutritional recommendations in an easily understandable way to patients, carers and relatives
To be a patient advocate for individuals engaged in their weight management journey, providing practical and empathic support to patients, carers and relatives
Use behaviour change, motivational interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and advanced communication techniques daily to support patients to make long term, sustainable lifestyle changes
To maintain accurate and timely electronic documentation of patient interactions and clinical care provided in line with record keeping standards
To undertake nutritional assessments by examination and history taking. This includes calculation of nutritional requirements; interpretation of biochemistry results and assessing the efficacy and safety of tailored weight management support plans where appropriate. Assessments and dietetic support may be undertaken either face to face or remotely as clinically indicated and may require participation in joint appointments with medical colleagues
Dietetic advice and support may be provided within a clinic or group setting, both virtually and face-to-face. Face-to-face group support will typically be provided within a variety of community venues within the geographical boundaries of Torbay and South Devon
To provide high quality, individualised dietetic advice enabling patients to make informed choices about their own health
To provide resources such as patient information leaflets, recipes and menu plans as required
To have active involvement in MDT discussions and decisions around nutritional care for medically, socially and ethically challenging patients
To be aware of, identify and raise safeguarding issues observed during clinical practice
To provide support where quality or safeguarding issues have been identified
Some work may need to be done out of normal working hours, for which lieu time may be taken

Policy and service development

· To contribute to the writing of policies, resources and guidelines relevant to this role, with the support of the specialist weight management and wider dietetic teams

· To develop resources such as patient information leaflets, recipes and menu plans as required

· To contribute to the wider service development of the dietetic service

· To follow Trust Policies and Procedures

· To undertake clinical practice in line with local and national policy and guidelines, including NICE and BOMSS

· To promote the role and value of the Dietitian in all aspects of nutritional care

· To attend other relevant team meetings which may include weight management and dietetic team meetings

Finance, equipment and other resources

The post carries no budgetary responsibility
To take anthropometric measurements to assess nutritional status, including the use of weighing scales and height stands
To review and update community and clinical venue risk assessments as required

People management and training

Assist in the development, delivery and evaluation of a variety of nutrition education and training programmes for lay and professional people, as required

· To mentor / supervise a Band 3 support worker as required

· To participate in the training of student dietitians and students of other professions

· To actively support own wellbeing, as well as to support the wellbeing of the other members of the team

Information technology and administrative duties

· To use Trust IT systems including infoflex, clinical portal, IHCS and ICE

· To use Attend Anywhere or equivalent for virtual patient appointments, when clinically appropriate

· To use MS Teams to attend meetings and in the delivery of virtual group sessions

· To prepare own presentations, reports and documents as required

· Maintain clinical records including dietetic records, in line with professional and department standards. Use electronic patient records, including Infoflex where available

· To work within the requirements of data protection legislation and access to health records

· To communicate via email, social media and other internal IT systems

· Use IT within audits, project management and data collection for service evaluation

Research and development

Assist in the ongoing audit and evaluation of all weight management team programmes, initiatives and projects, formulating and implementing action plans as appropriate
Participate in the development and review of nutrition related resources, including departmental diet sheets/information leaflets
To be responsible for own continued professional development and be proactive within annual personal development reviews and monthly 121s with team lead
To maintain and improve professional knowledge through continued professional development, for example, journal review, shadowing, attendance at courses/conferences/webinars as agreed with the weight management team and the wider dietetic department
To liaise with other specialist dietitians both locally and nationally
To work within the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and the BDA (British Dietetic Association) Code of Professional Conduct
To proactively identify and undertake project work to develop the service to provide high quality, evidence based nutritional care to patients

Freedom to act

To deliver dietetic care to a caseload of complex adult patients under the supervision of the dietetic team lead and in collaboration with the specialist weight management MDT and other MDTs as required
To provide a source of expert knowledge and advice on nutrition to the weight management service and other dietetic peers
To carry out other duties as agreed with the Head of Nutrition and Dietetics

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Degree or equivalent qualification in Dietetics
State registration as a Dietitian with HCPC membership

Desirable criteria

Behaviour change training
Clinical Supervisory Skills training
Postgraduate qualification in obesity management
BDA Membership
ACT training
Membership and attendance of BDA Specialist Interest Group
Teaching qualification

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Experience working as an autonomous practitioner with the ability to seek guidance where appropriate
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own practice

Desirable criteria

• Relevant experience in adult weight management or other relevant area
• Working knowledge of clinical dietetics relevant to weight management

Skills

Essential criteria

• Good information technology skills to support the preparation of presentations, develop information and education materials, and undertake literature searches
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, teaching and presentation skills
• Ability to work proactively and innovatively
• Excellent organisational, time management and service development skills

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working within an MDT

You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
Please read the job description carefully and tailor your application to reflect the requirements of the role.
Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.

The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.

Mindful employer. Being positive about mental health.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Band 5 Weight Management Dietitian (PDF, 480.6KB)

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name

Vanessa Payne

Job title

Specialist Weight Management Dietitian

Email address

[email protected]

Telephone number

01803 321165

Additional information

Liz Wardle

Head of Nutrition and Dietetic Services

[email protected]

01803 654723

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Job summary

Employer heading

Weight Management Dietitian

NHS AfC: Band 5

Job overview

Main duties of the job

Working for our organisation

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Skills

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

Documents to download

Further details / informal visits contact

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