Band 6 Dietitian Eating Disorders Dietitian

We are looking for a Senior Eating Disorders Dietitian who is enthusiastic, committed and interested in joining our busy and dynamic in-patient team at St Ann’s Eating Disorders Service. The successful candidate will be responsible for the dietetic input to Iris Ward. St Ann’s Eating Disorders Service is a specialist, tertiary service providing comprehensive care and treatment to those with eating disorders.

Main duties of the job:

• To deliver and coordinate specialist, evidence-based dietetic care for a complex group of high-risk adult inpatients with diverse presentations and challenging physical and psychological conditions, within a 15 bed dedicated Eating Disorders Service.
• To provide comprehensive nutritional assessments, meal planning, enteral feeding advice, and patient education, working autonomously while collaborating closely with the MDT to develop and deliver individual and group treatment plans.
• To manage a complex caseload, facilitate food and nutrition groups, supervise ward catering staff, and deputise for senior dietitians when required.
• To contribute to service quality and development through audit, research projects, governance, health promotion, accurate data recording, and adherence to policies, health and safety standards, and ongoing supervision and training.

Person specification:

• BSc, MSc or Postgraduate diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics (or equivalent non-UK qualification).
• Registered Dietitian with the Health & Care Professions Council.
• Member of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and relevant special interest groups.
• Post registration training in cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling and related areas.
• BDA accredited clinical supervisory skills course for training students.
• BDA accredited courses in clinical supervision, behavioural change, counselling and motivational interviewing.

Experience and knowledge:

• Post-graduate dietetic experience, including NHS practice and varied clinical settings.
• Strong knowledge base underpinning dietetic practice; evidence of continued professional development.
• Experience managing own caseload, including complex cases; autonomous practice combined with effective MDT working.
• Skilled in nutritional support (oral and enteral), hospital food services, and community/lone working.
• Group work facilitation and delivery of training; supervision of staff and students on clinical placements.
• Audit experience and participation in service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with NHS systems, policies, and governance; knowledge of clinical guidelines (NICE, BDA, HCPC Code of Conduct).
• Ability to process and manage complex information in relation to patient care.
• Understanding of clinical governance, risk management, equality, diversity, and ethical principles.
• Knowledge of local and national clinical and professional policies, guidelines, strategies and KPIs guiding mental health services.
• Competent in IT systems for clinical record keeping (e.g., Rio) and basic computer skills.
• Able to work safely in line with Trust Policies and Procedures.
• Experience in mental health settings (including the community) and working with eating disorder clients.
• Awareness of own learning style. Awareness of own knowledge and development needs.
• Knowledge of hospital food services.
• Active contribution to training others.
• Experience of working in a community setting or as a lone worker.
• Rio (or other IT system) experience for clinical record keeping.
• Experience of supervising students on clinical placements and supervision of staff members.
• Can demonstrate evidence of continued professional development (e.g. keeps a professional portfolio).
• Understanding of key performance indicators. Able to demonstrate implementing policy into practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and religious influences on food. Ability to recognise and work with diversity.

Skills and abilities:

• A medical understanding of eating disorders and their effects on nutritional status.
• Clinical & Patient Care: Strong clinical reasoning; commitment to patient care; ability to implement evidence-based practice; skilled in behaviour change and motivational interviewing techniques to support implementation of dietetic treatment plans.
• Communication: Excellent written and oral communication; able to present information clearly; effective with diverse groups (patients, carers, professionals); uses interpreters and visual aids when needed. Able to keep accurate and legible patient notes.
• Teamwork: Works autonomously, on own initiative and collaboratively to improve patient care; strong team player; experience in multidisciplinary teams; supportive of colleagues; demonstrates confidence and self-motivation. Is able to give examples of own involvement of working as part of a team e.g. experience of being part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Organisational Skills: Prioritises workload effectively; flexible approach; excellent time management; able to influence and develop skills in others; experience in quality improvement initiatives.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills: Applies analytical thinking to practice; demonstrates problem-solving ability.
• Physical & Practical Requirements: Meets mental and physical demands of role; able to carry equipment unaided; visits wards and outpatient areas.
• Technical Skills: Basic IT and computer proficiency.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act. Knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable adults.
• Supervision & Mentoring: Good supervisory skills; experience as educator/mentor; able to lead and support staff development.
• Able to deal with difficult situations, e.g. dealing with aggressive and/or emotional patients or carers. Able to work with individuals who have severe and enduring eating disorders.
• Can give examples of quality initiatives to improve the delivery of patient care and own involvement in specific initiatives.

Personal qualities:

• Professional in approach and manner.
• Demonstrates a commitment to continuing professional development.
• Demonstrates and promotes the Trust’s values and models this in their attitude and behaviour.
• Addressees concerns promptly and appropriately, either directly or through established Trust processes.

Other requirements:

• Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Fitness for role as required.
• Able to visit wards/units and outpatient clinical areas.
• Has a professional appearance and is able to express themselves clearly (both written and verbal).
• Car owner/driver. Current driving licence.
• Fluent in any other local language.
• Able to travel across sites and Trust boundaries to attend meetings, etc. if required (by public transport or personal vehicle).
• Able to carry clinical and teaching equipment unaided or use correct aids.