Rotational Dietitian (General Medicine Rotation)
Job summary
The successful candidate will work as part of a wider team providing high-quality dietetic care to both inpatients and outpatients. The role offers exposure to three diverse rotational caseloads, providing excellent opportunities to develop a broad range of clinical and professional skills.
The successful candidate will initially commence within the General Medicine rotation, managing a varied caseload that may include respiratory medicine, cardiology, liver disease, oncology and post-ITU patients, whilst gaining experience in enteral feeding and complex nutritional support.
The post holder will benefit from structured supervision and development opportunities, including peer supervision with fellow Band 5 and Band 6 colleagues, cross-specialty peer supervision with senior dietitians and speech and language therapists, and support from an experienced specialist team.
The post holder will also contribute to the education of patients, medical staff, nursing staff, dietetic assistants and other healthcare professionals as required. Please note: Candidates will be required to complete a pre-interview test, which will be communicated directly to you, should you be successful.
Main duties of the job
To be professionally and legally accountable for own practice in accordance with HCPC standards. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based dietetic interventions for patients with a range of clinical conditions. To manage and prioritise a caseload, seeking support and escalating complex cases when required. To assess, implement and monitor oral, enteral and nutrition support interventions within agreed competencies.
To work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team, contributing to patient-centred care, discharge planning and nutrition-related decisions. To obtain valid informed consent and work within legal frameworks relating to capacity. To monitor patient progress, reassess nutritional needs and adapt treatment plans accordingly. To identify and manage clinical risk within own caseload, escalating concerns appropriately.
To work in accordance with Trust policies, clinical guidelines and professional standards. To maintain accurate and timely patient records in line with Trust, BDA and HCPC requirements. To provide nutrition education and training to patients, carers, students, support staff and multidisciplinary colleagues. To contribute to education, health promotion, audit, quality improvement and service development activities.
To participate in supervision, appraisal and continuing professional development, maintaining a CPD portfolio. To support student learning and contribute to continuous improvement within the Dietetics Department.
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus.
Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of practice in accordance with the standards of proficiency, conduct and ethics set by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
To provide dietetic assessment, treatment and ongoing management for patients with a broad range of acute and chronic clinical conditions, including those requiring nutritional support, within agreed competencies and with support from senior colleagues as required.
To formulate and deliver individualised dietetic treatment plans based on evidence-based practice, utilising clinical assessment, clinical reasoning and knowledge of a wide range of dietetic interventions. To assess, implement and monitor oral, enteral and nutritional support interventions, escalating complex clinical issues appropriately.
To assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, obtain valid informed consent and work within the legal framework for patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment. To evaluate patient progress, reassess nutritional needs and modify treatment plans as required. To manage clinical risk within own caseload and recognise when to seek support or escalate concerns to senior staff.
To work within Trust clinical guidelines and maintain a good working knowledge of relevant local, regional and national standards, monitoring quality of practice as appropriate. To maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive patient records in accordance with Trust, British Dietetic Association (BDA) and HCPC standards.
Team Working and Communication To represent the dietetic service and/or individual patients at multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure coordinated, patient-centred care and integration of dietetic treatment within the wider management plan. To contribute to discharge planning and patient flow through timely nutritional assessment, intervention and communication with the multidisciplinary team.
To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with patients, carers and healthcare professionals, including those with communication difficulties, cognitive impairment or complex needs. To use persuasive, motivational and empathetic communication skills to support behaviour change and optimise patient engagement with treatment plans.
To provide specialist nutritional advice to patients, carers and clinicians regarding nutritional management and support. This includes undertaking detailed nutritional assessment using anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary information to determine nutritional requirements and treatment plans.
To be responsible for the dietetic discharge planning of patients requiring home enteral nutrition support, ensuring safe and timely transition from hospital to community care. To liaise with Catering Services and other relevant teams to support optimal nutrition provision for patients.
To demonstrate flexibility by providing cross-cover across rotational areas during periods of staff shortage, annual leave or service need, with senior support as required. To undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade as requested by the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics.
Audit, Quality Improvement and Research To undertake the measurement and evaluation of clinical practice through audit, outcome measures, service evaluation and evidence-based practice projects, either independently or with support from peers or senior dietitians. To contribute to the collection and analysis of data for audit, quality improvement and research projects.
To participate in research, audit and service development initiatives within the department and multidisciplinary teams. To complete a quality improvement or service development project during each rotation with support from senior staff. Development Activities To be an active participant in training sessions, tutorials, peer review activities and external courses.
To participate in regular clinical supervision, peer support and reflective practice activities, including peer supervision with Band 5 and Band 6 colleagues and cross-specialty supervision opportunities. To be an active member of the Dietetic Department, contributing to departmental developments and attending departmental meetings.
To support the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics in ensuring departmental resources are used effectively and efficiently, recognising individual responsibility for contributing to the sustainable use of Trust resources and delivery of value-based healthcare.
Education and Training To maintain and develop current knowledge of evidence-based practice across all rotational areas, developing specialist knowledge of specific clinical conditions and patient groups. To maintain own competency to practise through continuing professional development activities and maintain a CPD portfolio in accordance with HCPC requirements.
To contribute to the education and training of student dietitians through supervision, teaching and facilitation of learning opportunities within clinical practice. To support and monitor student dietitians' record keeping in accordance with professional and departmental standards. To provide education and training to patients, carers, dietetic assistants and members of the multidisciplinary team as appropriate.
To develop and update patient information resources, diet sheets, presentations and other educational materials to support the delivery of high-quality patient care.
Person Specification
Education and
Qualification · Essential
Degree or postgraduate qualification in Nutrition and Dietetics approved for HCPC registration Current HCPC registration as a Dietitian
Desirable
Membership of the British Dietetic Association
Knowledge and Experience · Essential
Knowledge of dietetic practice within the NHS Experience of enteral nutrition support Experience working within acute care environments
Desirable
Evidence of continuing professional development and reflective practice Skills and Competancies
Essential
Effective written and verbal communication skills with people from a range of backgrounds and with differing communication needs Ability to undertake nutritional assessment, formulate treatment plans and evaluate outcomes within scope of practice Ability to prioritise and manage own workload, meet deadlines and escalate concerns appropriately Ability to work independently within agreed competencies and as an effective member of multidisciplinary and dietetic teams Commitment to inclusive, compassionate and evidence-based patient care aligned with King's values Competent digital skills, including use of electronic patient records and standard Microsoft applications
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab) . From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab) .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
