Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic Dietitian specialised in Learning Disability and Mental Health dietetics to join our team. This position is open to candidates at Band 7 level. The postholder will provide highly specialised dietetic input to adult inpatients on our specialist Forensic Learning Disability ward, Oak Unit. This ward is located at Springfield Hospital.
The successful candidate will be working as the sole Dietitian on Oak Unit with an experienced MDT. The successful candidate will be part of a larger and wider Nutrition & Dietetics team. Our dietetic services cover adult acute admissions, rehabilitation, secure services, older people's services, learning disability service, CAMHS, inpatient child and adolescent eating disorder ward and adult inpatient and outpatient eating disorder services. We are a friendly and proactive dietetics team.
The successful applicant will manage a caseload of service users on Oak unit as well as other Forensic wards as time allows. They will conduct dietetic assessments, deliver therapeutic interventions, and work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team. Additionally, the role includes providing nutritional advice, education, and training to nursing staff, doctors, dietetic students, and other healthcare professionals.
Main duties of the job
You will be forward thinking and driven to deliver high quality, patient centred care based on advanced clinical knowledge in the area of adult learning disabilities and current evidence. You will autonomously undertake specialist assessments and interventions with individuals with complex dietetic needs and dysphagia.
You will receive clinical supervision from a Clinical Lead Dietician. There is excellent staff support, regular appraisal and CPD within SWLSTG Dietetics team.
You will be actively encouraged to participate in continuing professional development activities and will be supported to achieve the necessary skills, knowledge and attributes of a B7 Dietician within Specialist Learning Disability & Mental Health Forensic Service.
Candidates should be a Registered Dietitian; with experience of working in a mental health setting. A working knowledge of behaviour change and motivational interviewing would be beneficial.
About us
We are proud to offer agile and flexible working opportunities as part of our new ways of working, and we are happy to talk flexible working at the interview stage. In this role you will be able to work Monday to Friday within the time frames from 8am to 6pm, giving you the very best of good work life balance.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Our largest, 19-ward site is in Springfield Village, created following our £150m investment into two new world class mental health facilities. A 32-acre public park, shops and cafes are coming soon. Close to shops, cafes and Tooting Bec on the Northern Line plus Earlsfield and Tooting rail stations and bus routes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work as an autonomous, highly specialist dietitian, managing a caseload of service users with mental illness and learning disabilities
To work in a low secure learning disability and autism inpatient unit (Turner ward) providing assessment, treatment planning and provision for service users with complex nutritional and psychological needs.
To provide input and dietetic cover as required across the trust including acute admissions, rehabilitation, older peoples services and also CAMHS.
To ensure that there is dietetic advice to support the monitoring of the Trusts catering contracts and delivery of a positive patient experience at mealtimes.
To provide training to staff and service users and carers on nutritional issues relating to mental health and learning disabilities
To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the Dietetic service, holding responsibility for defined projects; working towards improved service quality across the Trust
To provide dietetic advice to support the monitoring of the Trusts catering contracts and delivery of a positive patient experience at mealtimes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work as an autonomous, highly specialist dietitian, managing a caseload of service users with mental illness and learning disabilities
To work in a low secure learning disability and autism inpatient unit (Turner ward) providing assessment, treatment planning and provision for service users with complex nutritional and psychological needs.
To provide input and dietetic cover as required across the trust including acute admissions, rehabilitation, older peoples services and also CAMHS.
To ensure that there is dietetic advice to support the monitoring of the Trusts catering contracts and delivery of a positive patient experience at mealtimes.
To provide training to staff and service users and carers on nutritional issues relating to mental health and learning disabilities
To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the Dietetic service, holding responsibility for defined projects; working towards improved service quality across the Trust
To provide dietetic advice to support the monitoring of the Trusts catering contracts and delivery of a positive patient experience at mealtimes.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Registered as Dietitian with HCPC
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- Member of the British Dietetic Association and the Specialist Mental Health Group
- Completion of the BDA Advanced Dietetics in Learning Disabilities course
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience with significant experience working at specialist level
- Experience of carrying a caseload of service users with complex and diverse needs in a learning disability and/or mental health setting
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience related to food provision and catering
- Experience working with mental health service users
- Experience of working with children and/ or adolescents
- Evidence of working in a multi-cultural context
Desirable
- Experience of the supervision of junior staff within a formal supervision scheme
- Evidence of participation in audit/ research
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of professional code of conduct both BDA, HPC and their application practice
- A medical understanding of mental illness & its effects on nutritional status
- Specialist knowledge of mental health dietetics
- Well developed communication skills
- Good organisational and problem solving skills
- Ability to use electronic systems for recording clinical information
- Ability to solve complex clinical problems some of which will require immediate resolution
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act
- Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and/ or Motivational Interviewing skills
- Knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable adults and children
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics
- Registered as Dietitian with HCPC
- Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
- Member of the British Dietetic Association and the Specialist Mental Health Group
- Completion of the BDA Advanced Dietetics in Learning Disabilities course
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience with significant experience working at specialist level
- Experience of carrying a caseload of service users with complex and diverse needs in a learning disability and/or mental health setting
- Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
- Experience related to food provision and catering
- Experience working with mental health service users
- Experience of working with children and/ or adolescents
- Evidence of working in a multi-cultural context
Desirable
- Experience of the supervision of junior staff within a formal supervision scheme
- Evidence of participation in audit/ research
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Knowledge of professional code of conduct both BDA, HPC and their application practice
- A medical understanding of mental illness & its effects on nutritional status
- Specialist knowledge of mental health dietetics
- Well developed communication skills
- Good organisational and problem solving skills
- Ability to use electronic systems for recording clinical information
- Ability to solve complex clinical problems some of which will require immediate resolution
Desirable
- Knowledge of the Mental Health Act
- Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and/ or Motivational Interviewing skills
- Knowledge of safeguarding vulnerable adults and children
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).
