Community Dietitian in Acocks Green

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, dynamic and innovative dietitian, with excellent communication skills and knowledge, to join our vibrant adult team here at First Community. We are a friendly, approachable team of 19 dietitians, dietetic assistants and administrators delivering adult and paediatric services across east Surrey and parts of West Sussex in a range of community settings, including community hospitals, care homes, primary care networks and prisons.

We are committed to service development, through public involvement, quality improvement and innovative new service models. We encourage all members of the team to be involved in service development and support innovative ideas to improve the efficiency of our services and patients' experience. As a social enterprise, First Community enables staff to think outside the box! We encourage personal development, offering support and experience in new areas, providing as much opportunity as possible to develop skills and knowledge.

The post holder will manage their own varied caseload providing specialist dietetic services to adults in a variety of settings, including clinics, care homes and patients' own homes. You will play a key role in the nutritional management of patients with a variety of diagnoses including IBS, diabetes, weight management, nutrition support and enteral feeding.

• You will provide education and support to patients, carers and other health care professionals.
• There will be opportunities to be involved in service development projects, audit, policy and resource development for the team and organisation.
• This role will require you to use your dietetic skills to improve patients' lives in a holistic and evidence-based manner.

First Dietitians' mission is changing lives through food and we believe as a team that we have the ability to do this in a community setting. We want a team player who cares about their patients, about food and nutrition and making a difference. We will support you through mentoring and coaching, with ample learning opportunities to develop both dietetic and leadership skills as you will play a key role in supporting our Band 5 dietitians, dietetic assistants and student dietitians.

We pride ourselves on the wide variety of skills and knowledge the team possesses, providing opportunities to shadow and partake in CPD with the wider team. We recognise the importance of flexible working and would encourage candidates to discuss opportunities for this with us. Candidates with previous experience in either the acute or community settings are encouraged to apply, as skills are transferrable.

About us: Do you want to be part of an organisation that was rated best provider of NHS care to work for nationwide? (2023 staff survey results) First Community is a staff-owned social enterprise rated Good by CQC, which delivers NHS community services across east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We are looking for individuals who share our values: First-rate care, First-rate people, First-rate value. First Community is a great place to work, everyone has a voice and is supported to develop their career to its full potential.

We offer all our staff: NHS terms and conditions, high quality training and development opportunities, flexible working to enable a good work-life balance, an inclusive and friendly work environment, an NHS pension, flexible retirement options and various employee benefits. Please talk to us before applying or at interview about the flexibility you need. We may not be able to meet your needs exactly, but we do promise to fully consider your request and meet your needs where possible. Please note, flexible working options may vary depending on the role.

At First Community, we welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates and candidates with disabilities. We ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments. Sustainability is integral to First Community achieving the NHS Net Zero target.

• The post holder will act as an autonomous practitioner contributing to the delivery of the First Dietitians Service provided by First Community Health and Care.
• The post is based at Crawley Hospital and manages a caseload in East Surrey.
• The clinical caseload of adult patients have varied, unpredictable and complex health needs.
• The post holder will work as part of the multi-disciplinary team and with carers, families and the wider team as appropriate.
• They will use specialist dietetic skills and knowledge to assess, plan and implement dietetic interventions in a variety of settings that may include community hospitals, nursing and care homes, out-patient clinics and patients' own homes.
• The post is also involved in the IBS/FODMAP care pathway which delivers face-to-face and virtual education sessions for patients.

When completing your application please refer to both the Application Guide and full Job Description & Person Specification - these can be found under supporting documents.

• Skills: Working as part of an MDT, Able to work autonomously, Able to manage complex and clinically challenging case loads, Good teaching & education skills, Experience of shared care working, Teaching qualification or training.
• Experience: At least 2 years post graduate clinical experience, Experience of managing adult enteral nutrition patients, Experience of delivering adult outpatient clinics, Experience of student training, Experience of supporting junior staff.
• Knowledge: Good core dietetic knowledge base for conditions affecting adults including nutrition support, common gastroenterology conditions, T2 diabetes, weight management, Excellent understanding of clinical nutrition product range, Specialist knowledge in certain dietetic areas/conditions.
• Other: Car owner, Full UK driving licence, Member of the BDA, Member of specialist groups of the BDA.
• Qualifications: Degree or post graduate qualification in Dietetics, HCPC Registered, Completion of PENG course, FODMAP Specialist training.

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.

£38,682 to £46,580 a year + 5% HCAS per annum, pro rata.