Job summary
Are you looking to further your experience working in mental health? This opportunity could be for you! We have a newly created post for a Dietitian working within the Whiteleaf Centre, a mental health facility providing inpatient and community care based in Aylesbury. This is a substantive role within Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, offering a wealth of clinical experience and development opportunities.
We are a friendly, energetic and dynamic team who are proactive and visionary, focusing on excellent patient centered care. You will based day to day within the multidisciplinary team at the Whiteleaf Centre which includes working closely with the Speech & Language Therapist,.
You will also be part of the wider growing and dynamic mental health dietetic team across Oxford Health. This includes Dietitians, Dietetic Assistants and Dietetic Apprentices specialising in mental health, based across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and BSW (Bath & NE Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire).
There is a commitment to personal development and an expectation that all staff are involved in corporate departmental project work, audit/research and teaching of other healthcare professionals. All staff are actively involved in student training and we offering dietetic apprenticeships which all staff will also be involved in supporting.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Specialist Dietitian within the mental health service is to provide comprehensive care to individuals , as well as taking a leadership role within the multi-disciplinary team to embed dietetics as a key element of assessment and treatment for the client group. You will receive, and offer, supervision to other team members and act as Practice Assessor / Supervisor to dietetic students and apprentices.
This post will allow you the opportunity to develop your skills working with adults within adult mental health services and older people's mental health services and you will be involved in groupwork, 1: 1 care, quality improvement projects and supervision.
About us
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust provides physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset.
Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people's homes, delivering care as close to home as possible
Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive:"Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team"
Our values are:"Caring, safe and excellent"
At Oxford Health we offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Mental Health First Aiders
- Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to demonstrate the ability to effectively fulfil the requirements of the post which are outlines in the attached person specification
We offer flexible working patterns, where possible, within our services to provide flexibility and efficiency.
This post may require travel to different sites across the trust if required.
This is a full time position however we would consider part time or flexible working arrangements , if required for suitable applicants.
Please note:
- New starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
- Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
- Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
- Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
- We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age or sexual orientation and we encourage applications from users of mental health services. This is part of our commitment to equality and reflecting the diversity of our population.
- Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to demonstrate the ability to effectively fulfil the requirements of the post which are outlines in the attached person specification
We offer flexible working patterns, where possible, within our services to provide flexibility and efficiency.
This post may require travel to different sites across the trust if required.
This is a full time position however we would consider part time or flexible working arrangements , if required for suitable applicants.
Please note:
- New starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
- Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
- Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
- Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
- We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age or sexual orientation and we encourage applications from users of mental health services. This is part of our commitment to equality and reflecting the diversity of our population.
- Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Dietetics or post graduate qualification in nutrition and dietetics
- Current state registration with the Health Care Professions Council as a Dietitian
- Evidence of supervising qualified staff
Desirable
- Evidence of CPD in a range of settings relevant to the post, for example: motivational interviewing, behavioural skills
- Evidence of formal or informal leadership training
- Evidence of training as a Clinical Supervisor
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Evidence of high level of specialist dietetic experience knowledge and skills in mental health and CPD
- Planning and delivering training for health care professionals
- Training student dietitians
- Knowledge of refeeding guidance and current guidelines
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of clinical nutrition.
- Evidence of research/audit/project work
Desirable
- Developing treatment protocols / guidelines and contributing to Service development projects
- Previous group work focused on mental health needs
- Experience working within mental health services
Aptitude and Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Able to organise workload and manage time within conflicting agendas
- Presentation skills- including to large groups
- Good time management
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Computer literate including word processing.
- Ability to manage change effectively
- Team worker with good interpersonal and leadership skills
- roject management skills -i.e., setting objectives, developing action plans, prioritising work, evaluating work
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients using a sensitive and empathetic manner
- Ability to cope under pressure and with difficult and complex patients
Desirable
- Can demonstrate knowledge of the issues surrounding working with clients within mental health settings
- Good interpersonal, counselling, behaviour change and motivational skills
- Reflective practitioner, able to highlight own learning needs
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Dietetics or post graduate qualification in nutrition and dietetics
- Current state registration with the Health Care Professions Council as a Dietitian
- Evidence of supervising qualified staff
Desirable
- Evidence of CPD in a range of settings relevant to the post, for example: motivational interviewing, behavioural skills
- Evidence of formal or informal leadership training
- Evidence of training as a Clinical Supervisor
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Evidence of high level of specialist dietetic experience knowledge and skills in mental health and CPD
- Planning and delivering training for health care professionals
- Training student dietitians
- Knowledge of refeeding guidance and current guidelines
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of clinical nutrition.
- Evidence of research/audit/project work
Desirable
- Developing treatment protocols / guidelines and contributing to Service development projects
- Previous group work focused on mental health needs
- Experience working within mental health services
Aptitude and Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Able to organise workload and manage time within conflicting agendas
- Presentation skills- including to large groups
- Good time management
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Computer literate including word processing.
- Ability to manage change effectively
- Team worker with good interpersonal and leadership skills
- roject management skills -i.e., setting objectives, developing action plans, prioritising work, evaluating work
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients using a sensitive and empathetic manner
- Ability to cope under pressure and with difficult and complex patients
Desirable
- Can demonstrate knowledge of the issues surrounding working with clients within mental health settings
- Good interpersonal, counselling, behaviour change and motivational skills
- Reflective practitioner, able to highlight own learning needs
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
