System Wide Dietetic Lead for Prescribing

Job summary

Exciting Opportunity for an Experienced Dietitian - Strategic Leadership Role in Dorset.

Dorset HealthCare, in collaboration with NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board, is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled Dietitian with extensive experience in a broad clinical range. This full-time Band 8a role provides strategic oversight of prescribed oral nutritional supplements across Dorset, spanning primary, secondary, and community care settings.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and forward-thinking professional with exceptional communication skills and a strong analytical mindset. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in developing system-wide frameworks that support the evidence-based use of dietetic products, ensuring optimal patient outcomes and value for the healthcare system.

Working closely with dietetic colleagues across the care interface and NHS Dorset's Medicines Optimisation team, the post holder will:

Analyse clinical and prescribing data to identify key drivers of high oral nutritional supplement costs

Lead a systematic review to inform cost-effective prescribing practices

Co-develop a sustainable, long-term strategy for oral nutrition prescribing taking learning from other national exemplars for an evidence-based approach

We encourage applicants to arrange an informal discussion to gain an understanding of this impactful role. Please contact Tracy Lyons at tracy.lyons@nhsdorset.nhs.uk to schedule a conversation.

Main duties of the job

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

The role will lead on delivering cost efficiencies in primary care ONS spending through development of formulary-focused, evidence-based use of ONS in both primary and secondary care

The post-holder will work to reduce inefficiencies in prescribing cost whilst retaining product choice where appropriate

Using advanced and wide knowledge of nutrition and dietetics, acquiring expertise within primary care to review and address prescribing practices

To review and address ONS overprescribing in care homes and residential settings through joined up work with social care and third sector

Following successful delivery of ONS prescribing the role will then focus on use of prescribed milk formula in primary care linking with experts such as Paediatric Dietetic workforce and Public health nursing

This role will work across all sectors of the NHS in Dorset. Whilst hosted within the community provider the key team will be the Pharmacy team with the ICB. The post holder will be expected to be a self-starter and able to work autonomously and independently whilst seeking to collaborate with a range of dietitians, and other stakeholders

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do