Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, innovative and experienced paediatric dietitian to join our team based at University Hospitals Dorset (currently at Poole Hospital site).
Ideally you will be already be working as a band 7 within Paediatrics and have experience of managing children and young people with obesity.
The established and well respected paediatric dietetic team of 5 (3.2WTE) offer support to two busy children's wards and a range of specialist inpatient and outpatient services. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced paediatric dietitian to join our team to lead on and manage paediatric obesity patients as part of the new Complications of Excessive Weight (CEW) service.
The paediatric dietetic team currently has specialist posts in gastroenterology, neonates, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis and the general ward and outpatient work is shared. The dietitians work closely with all members of the paediatric MDT, including community based services such as health visitors, community children's nurses and speech and language therapists. This exciting new role within the CEW service has been secured with funding from NHS England as part of the Childhood Obesity Programme and offers the post holder the opportunity to develop and shape local services for children and young people with obesity and complications of excessive weight alongside the lead paediatric consultant and wider MDT.
Main duties of the job
Main responsibilities of the Band 7 Paediatric CEW Dietitian Role:
- To provide a high-quality clinical dietetics service to patients managed under the CEW service.
- To work alongside the wider MDT including consultants, junior doctors, nurses, pharmacists, speech and language therapists and dietetic assistants/support workers.
- To undertake nutritional assessments, implement plans and provide nutritional monitoring for patients managed by the CEW service.
- To write, review and update nutritional guidelines and policies relating to nutritional management of patients under the care of the CEW service.
- To be involved in audit and quality improvement projects of patient care and new treatment developments.
- To support the organizational management and administration duties of the dietetic team.
- To support the organization, management and delivery of the general paediatric dietetic service.
About us
The Dietetics Department at University Hospitals Dorset employs 27 dietitians across adult and paediatrics over 2 sites at Poole Hospital and Royal Bournemouth Hospital and offers training to A, B and C students on placement. As a senior dietitian within the department, the role will also involve providing support and mentorship to band 5 and 6 dietitians.
This post offers excellent opportunities for professional and personal development. The department is committed to CPD and we offer a wide range of in-house specialist training, as well as opportunities for external training. You will be involved in regular professional update meetings with a CPD aspect and our twice yearly Dorset Dietitians Education sessions - a Dorset wide education and networking dietetic opportunity.
Currently all paediatric services are at the Poole Hospital site, however, a clinical services review for Dorset will involve the relocation of services including the paediatric service moving to a brand new, purpose built women's and children's unit on the Bournemouth site. Expected completion date is Spring 2025.
Flexibility, and good communication, organization and prioritization skills are essential to this role. The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate excellent team working skills and enthusiasm.
Interview Date: TBC
Base Location: Poole Hospital
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide highly specialist dietetic input to paediatric obesity patients in the CEW service as part of a multi-professional team (MDT) offering evidence based dietetic expertise supporting the implementation of best practice for the patient and their wider support network (family/carers) as well as community based staff such as Health Visitors, Childrens Social Care etc.
As an integrated member of a multidisciplinary team, work autonomously to provide an advanced level of dietetics for patients and manage your own workload whilst developing the newly formed paediatric CEW service.
To be involved in all nutrition and dietetic departmental activities and contribute to the delivery of a trust wide dietetic service, including supporting band 5/6 dietitians, dietetic assistants, students and other healthcare professionals, nursing and medical staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide highly specialist dietetic input to paediatric obesity patients in the CEW service as part of a multi-professional team (MDT) offering evidence based dietetic expertise supporting the implementation of best practice for the patient and their wider support network (family/carers) as well as community based staff such as Health Visitors, Childrens Social Care etc.
As an integrated member of a multidisciplinary team, work autonomously to provide an advanced level of dietetics for patients and manage your own workload whilst developing the newly formed paediatric CEW service.
To be involved in all nutrition and dietetic departmental activities and contribute to the delivery of a trust wide dietetic service, including supporting band 5/6 dietitians, dietetic assistants, students and other healthcare professionals, nursing and medical staff.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience working as a Band 6 paediatric dietitian
- Experience of managing children with Obesity and Complications of Excessive Weight (CEW)
- Experience of working autonomously within a MDT
- Experience of leadership and line management
- Experience of having undertaken audit
- Clinical training and supervision of less experienced dietetic staff and staff from other professions
- Experience of implementing evidence-based practice
Desirable
- Experience working as a Band 7 paediatric dietitian
- Behaviour change/motivational interviewing experience
- Coaching skills experience
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Human Nutrition & Dietetics or equivalent qualification
- HCPC Registration
- Evidence of working at Masters Level or equivalent
- Completion of validated post registration training
Desirable
- Member of BDA Paediatric Group
- Management training
- Relevant advanced post-graduate clinical training e.g. Masters Level modules or clinical training
- Clinical Supervisory Skills training
- Coaching skills training
- Behaviour change/motivational interviewing training
Technical Skills Competencies
Essential
- High level of Dietetic paediatric clinical skills, knowledge and clinical reasoning with a wide range of in and out patients
- Ability to assess, manage and treat patients with complex multi pathologies at specialist level and advise parents, carers and the wider MDT on the nutritional treatment plan.
- To interpret anthropometry: Height, weight, BMI and use this information to inform nutritional care management Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate complex information effectively with all healthcare colleagues (verbally and written).
- Ability to effectively communicate a complex diagnosis with patients/carers, achieving consent and understanding of the treatment plans required
- Excellent IT and presentation skills.
- Able to initiate, evaluate and sustain changes to service development.
- Ability to manage workload on a day-to-day level as well as forward planning
- Excellent written and electronic patient record keeping to comply with departmental, team, professional and trust standards
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of nutritional issues in paediatric obesity and associated Complications of Excess Weight (CEW)
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge of a wide range of paediatric conditions and their dietetic interventions
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Effective team working and team leadership
- Able to negotiate effectively with other disciplines
- Able to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities
- Able to cope in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients or carers, as well as supporting other staff in similar situations
- Able to problem-solve clinically and managerially
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Able to work collaboratively within the multi-disciplinary team
- Committed to personal and team development
- Able to maintain judgement under pressure
- Able to work well with others and pass on skills and knowledge
- Able to motivate self and others
- Be confident when acting as a representative for the Therapy Services Directorate
- Effective time management skills
Language requirement
Essential
- Able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Experience working as a Band 6 paediatric dietitian
- Experience of managing children with Obesity and Complications of Excessive Weight (CEW)
- Experience of working autonomously within a MDT
- Experience of leadership and line management
- Experience of having undertaken audit
- Clinical training and supervision of less experienced dietetic staff and staff from other professions
- Experience of implementing evidence-based practice
Desirable
- Experience working as a Band 7 paediatric dietitian
- Behaviour change/motivational interviewing experience
- Coaching skills experience
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Human Nutrition & Dietetics or equivalent qualification
- HCPC Registration
- Evidence of working at Masters Level or equivalent
- Completion of validated post registration training
Desirable
- Member of BDA Paediatric Group
- Management training
- Relevant advanced post-graduate clinical training e.g. Masters Level modules or clinical training
- Clinical Supervisory Skills training
- Coaching skills training
- Behaviour change/motivational interviewing training
Technical Skills Competencies
Essential
- High level of Dietetic paediatric clinical skills, knowledge and clinical reasoning with a wide range of in and out patients
- Ability to assess, manage and treat patients with complex multi pathologies at specialist level and advise parents, carers and the wider MDT on the nutritional treatment plan.
- To interpret anthropometry: Height, weight, BMI and use this information to inform nutritional care management Excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate complex information effectively with all healthcare colleagues (verbally and written).
- Ability to effectively communicate a complex diagnosis with patients/carers, achieving consent and understanding of the treatment plans required
- Excellent IT and presentation skills.
- Able to initiate, evaluate and sustain changes to service development.
- Ability to manage workload on a day-to-day level as well as forward planning
- Excellent written and electronic patient record keeping to comply with departmental, team, professional and trust standards
Knowledge
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of nutritional issues in paediatric obesity and associated Complications of Excess Weight (CEW)
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge of a wide range of paediatric conditions and their dietetic interventions
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Effective team working and team leadership
- Able to negotiate effectively with other disciplines
- Able to carry out moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities
- Able to cope in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients or carers, as well as supporting other staff in similar situations
- Able to problem-solve clinically and managerially
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Able to work collaboratively within the multi-disciplinary team
- Committed to personal and team development
- Able to maintain judgement under pressure
- Able to work well with others and pass on skills and knowledge
- Able to motivate self and others
- Be confident when acting as a representative for the Therapy Services Directorate
- Effective time management skills
Language requirement
Essential
- Able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
