Dietitian in Chorley

We want talented and enthusiastic people from all backgrounds to join #TeamMWL, with us you can learn, grow and develop yourself and your career, realising your true ambitions and aspirations. Whatever you’re looking for in your career, you’ll find it here at MWL.

Job overview:

• Full time 37.5 hours/week (part time considered)
• Permanent Contract
• An exciting opportunity has arisen for a band 5 Dietitian to join our friendly Dietetic department at Whiston Hospital (Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust).

We are looking for a professional, confident, enthusiastic, driven and motivated individual, who is a team player and keen to develop their knowledge and skills. The successful individual will have excellent interpersonal skills, a flexible approach with the ability to work to high standards, as well as being able to recognise personal and role limitations.

Main duties of the job:

• To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients/clients in your care.
• To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients/clients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies; use specialist clinical reasoning skills and appropriate assessment techniques to provide an accurate diagnosis of their condition.
• Formulate and deliver an individual treatment programme using assessment, reasoning skills and treatment skills based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options.
• To take delegated responsibility from a senior clinician for managing patients/clients with particular conditions and be responsible for providing specialist assessment and treatment plans for patients with these conditions.
• Evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter treatment programmes as required, reporting back to senior clinician with regular support and advice.
• To have the ability to undertake self-directed/lone working in a variety of locations.
• To participate in weekend, evening working and seven day working rota’s as applicable.

Person specification:

• BSc (Hons) Degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics or equivalent
• Member of British Dietetic Association

• Previous demonstrable experience of working in a health, social setting as a dietitian.
• Awareness of current NHS issues and relevant framework/quality indicators
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice and importance within clinical area
• Experience of taking an active role within the Multidisciplinary Team
• Awareness of health and safety issues and reporting mechanisms
• Demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and its application within Therapy
• Demonstrates a more advanced knowledge of computer packages
• Commitment to your and others ongoing Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and maintenance of professional portfolio.
• Experience of facilitating dietetic student training

• Ability to manage own time within clinical and non-clinical activity and to guide others using problem solving and decision-making skills
• Ability to maintain records, statistical and activity data according to service standards.
• Effective teaching and presentation skills
• Ability to encourage and motivate others by providing sound practical and realistic advice
• Ability to demonstrate clinical reasoning and a holistic problem solving approach, appropriate to experience within clinical area
• Ability to manage own stress and awareness of stress in others
• To demonstrate tact/diplomacy and empathy within clinical/team settings
• Good interpersonal skills with effective written and verbal communication
• Ability to demonstrate assertiveness within the clinical settings
• Ability to positively represent the Dietetic Team within the Organisation
• Ability to demonstrate reflective practice

• The post includes a combination of walking and sitting with duties being carried out in a variety of settings across the hospital sites.
• The post will be based at Southport Hospital but postholder would be required to work across sites and attend meetings held in community buildings and ODGH.
• To be able physically carry equipment (e.g. ward folders, teaching materials, audio-visual aids)
• The post holder will be required to use frequent concentration in assessing patients and devising care plans.
• Conveying complex nutritional information in a comprehensible and practical way to clients, families and carers where there may be significant barriers to understanding.
• Prioritising clinical work responding to unpredictable demands on time e.g. responding to bleeps for urgent referrals
• The post holder will often have to overcome barriers to communication such as illiteracy, learning difficulties, hearing and sight impairment, language and may have to work with interpreters.
• Communication with and have direct contact with a wide variety of people, including health, social care and education professionals, patients, carers, the public.
• Daily involvement with chronically and terminally ill patients and their carers.
• The post holder will be exposed to the sensitive, emotional and distressing circumstances, including terminally ill patients and abusive patients/carers.
• The post holder will be exposed to the working conditions associated with clinical environment.
• Routinely encounters unpleasant smells and sights, with possible exposure to bodily fluids including blood and sputum.
• Ability to fulfil the travel requirements of the post.

Thank you for considering an application to work for Mersey West Lancashire NHS Trust. MWL is an exciting and forward-thinking NHS Trust who are one of the best places to work for in England.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion:

We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring.