Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust, North Middlesex Hospital (NMUH) site . We are looking for a newly qualified, enthusiastic Band 5 dietitian to join our friendly and dynamic team at the NMUH. You will provide a service as per rotation allocation to, general medicine, medicine for elderly, oncology, stroke, surgical, or a combination of these. You will be supported in developing your skills and knowledge with relevant competencies and supervision. We are the first Nutrition & Dietetic Department in London to commence seven day services, and you will be required to work week-ends as part of the department rota. The Dietetic Department is part of the Therapies group at NMUH. You will work with MDT members and have good communication skills. You will undertake teaching/training of other health professionals. You will have the opportunity to be involved in research, audits and other service development initiatives. You will be involved in student training. The dietetic department has a robust CPD programme, and are committed to providing excellent line management, supervision/support, specialist training and other forms of continuous professional development. In order to support you in this role, you would receive training and supervision tailored to your needs.
For any queries about the post, please contact Maira Perez on 0208 887 2000 bleep 686, or mobile 0745573098 or email maira.perez@nhs.net.
Main duties of the job
Job Summary
The Nutrition and Dietetic Service at North Middlesex University Hospital (NMUH) offers comprehensive services across various medical areas, including General Medicine, Oncology, Stroke, Surgery, and Medicine for the Elderly. The role involves supporting dietetic-led outpatient clinics, educational programs for patients and staff, and covering other areas as needed. Staff are required to complete competencies and participate in the Trust Preceptorship program within the first six months. Additionally, the role includes developing educational resources, contributing to policies, and participating in research and audits. There is also involvement in a seven-day service and organizing student placements for training. The Dietetic department is part of the Therapies Department, providing services to inpatients and outpatients in Enfield, Haringey, and surrounding areas. The team aims to provide evidence-based clinical services, including nutritional support like enteral or parenteral feeding, conduct audits to improve care, and educate patients on dietary changes. Staff education is also a key focus, helping staff across the hospital adopt best practices. Communication with the catering team ensures appropriate meals for inpatients, and multidisciplinary collaboration is emphasized. The department also ensures positive training experiences for dietetic students.
About us
North Mid is part of North Central London integrated care system - consisting of the NHS and Local authority organisations in Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. As with other ICS's, we are working increasingly closely with partners and indeed many of our financial and performance objectives are measured at this system level. Whilst all organisations remain as standalone, statutory bodies we have an ICS infrastructure for making shared decisions and agreeing shared approaches.
We are proud of our staff and want to ensure their training allows them to provide excellent clinical care. We are also a training unit for medical students from UCL and St George's University Grenada, and for nursing and midwifery students from Middlesex and City Universities.
Take a tour of our hospital here
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role outlined above is for a dietitian within a healthcare setting, with a wide range of responsibilities, covering clinical, educational, communication, finance, and general duties. Here is a summary of the key duties and responsibilities as well as specific aspects:
Clinical Responsibilities:
-
Caseload Management: The dietitian is responsible for all aspects of a caseload, which includes General Medicine, Medicine for the Elderly (MFE), Oncology, Stroke, and Surgical patients. This responsibility extends to ensuring a high standard of clinical care for the patients and supporting junior staff in achieving this.
-
Dietetic Service: The dietitian will provide services to allocated wards or clinics (General Medicine, MFE, Oncology, Stroke, Surgical) and rotate as required due to service needs. This includes assessing, treating, and providing nutritional support based on clinical evidence.
-
Assessment and Treatment: The dietitian conducts complex nutritional assessments, calculates nutritional requirements, and interprets medical data (e.g., biochemistry, pharmacology). They will use negotiation skills to develop appropriate, realistic, and evidence-based care plans, including decisions regarding artificial nutritional support.
-
Nutritional Support Decisions: The role involves analyzing options for artificial nutritional support, and making decisions about initiation and withdrawal based on clinical evidence, patient needs, and ethical considerations.
-
Communication: The dietitian is required to liaise with multidisciplinary teams (MDT) to ensure patients are treated effectively and discharged safely with proper nutrition support plans. This includes discussing issues such as ethical dilemmas related to nutritional support withdrawal.
-
Specialist Equipment Use: The dietitian will use specialized equipment for assessing nutritional status, such as bioelectrical impedance, callipers, and hand grip dynamometers, interpreting results and adjusting treatment plans as necessary.
-
Discharge and Follow-Up: Responsibility for ensuring safe discharge planning for patients requiring artificial nutrition support, liaising with community dietitians, and organizing necessary training and product supply.
-
Seven-Day Service: The dietitian participates in a seven-day service, working weekends on a rota basis, and provides dietetic support during times of increased demand or staff shortages.
-
Catering Liaison: The dietitian works with catering staff to ensure the provision of appropriate meals for patients with specific dietary needs, including those with dysphagia, in consultation with speech and language therapists.
-
Social Issues: In some cases, the dietitian may refer patients to external agencies such as social services or housing support when complex social issues related to nutrition arise.
-
Nutrition Team Contribution: The dietitian contributes to the nutrition team ward rounds, offering advice on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and other artificial nutritional support, ensuring safe and appropriate treatment for patients.
-
Research and Audit: The dietitian is expected to engage in research and audit activities to improve the dietetic service and report findings within the Trust.
Communication Skills:
-
Patient Interaction: The dietitian must communicate effectively with patients and carers, especially in complex and emotional situations, using reassurance and motivational skills where necessary.
-
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Collaboration: They provide advice and guidance to the MDT, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, making recommendations on appropriate treatments and addressing ethical dilemmas related to nutritional support.
-
Sensitive Information: The role requires handling sensitive and contentious information, such as decisions about withdrawal of nutritional support, and effectively communicating with patients and families during difficult situations.
-
Community Liaison: The dietitian collaborates with community teams for outpatient nutrition management, providing education and support to clinicians, patients, and carers.
-
Dietetic Counselling: The dietitian provides counselling to patients and carers to help them meet dietary and medical goals, especially when facing complex barriers to change.
-
Emergency Cover: The dietitian may be required to step in and cover for colleagues during periods of absence or staff shortages, ensuring continuity of care for patients.
Educational Responsibilities:
-
Patient Education: The dietitian is responsible for educating patients, especially those with significant barriers to understanding, about their complex dietary needs. This may involve one-on-one education or group sessions.
-
Student Dietitian Training: The role involves contributing to the training of student dietitians, including planning placements, supervising students, and assessing their progress.
-
Educational Programs: The dietitian will also contribute to the development and delivery of educational programs related to nutritional management, including cardiac rehabilitation sessions and training for other healthcare staff.
-
Trust Events: The dietitian participates in trust-wide events such as Nutrition Week and Dietitians Week, supporting both patients and staff in nutrition-related activities.
Financial Responsibilities:
-
Stock Control: The dietitian is responsible for ordering and maintaining stock levels of specialist nutritional products for their areas of care.
-
Equipment Management: The dietitian ensures the proper use and maintenance of specialized equipment, such as enteral and parenteral pumps, and ensures the security and safe use of this equipment.
-
Purchasing: The role involves following guidance on purchasing low-cost resources and ensuring efficient use of resources within the department.
General Duties:
-
Documentation: The dietitian is required to maintain accurate records of all patient interactions in accordance with professional and Trust guidelines.
-
Confidentiality: Maintaining confidentiality of patient information is essential, in line with Trust policies and professional standards.
-
Professional Development: The dietitian must participate in continuing professional development (CPD) and maintain a CPD portfolio, ensuring they keep up to date with nutrition and dietetic practices.
-
Compliance: The dietitian must comply with all Trust policies, including Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, and record-keeping standards, while ensuring patients' informed consent before dietetic intervention.
-
Teamwork: As part of the Dietetic Department Team, the dietitian will participate in staff meetings, departmental developments, and contribute to overall service delivery.
-
Additional Duties: The dietitian may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the role, responding to service needs and requests from the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics.
This summary outlines the extensive scope of the dietitian's responsibilities, spanning clinical care, team collaboration, education, communication, and administrative duties. The position requires strong professional skills, including the ability to manage complex clinical cases, handle sensitive issues, collaborate with diverse healthcare teams, and contribute to service development and improvement.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The role outlined above is for a dietitian within a healthcare setting, with a wide range of responsibilities, covering clinical, educational, communication, finance, and general duties. Here is a summary of the key duties and responsibilities as well as specific aspects:
Clinical Responsibilities:
-
Caseload Management: The dietitian is responsible for all aspects of a caseload, which includes General Medicine, Medicine for the Elderly (MFE), Oncology, Stroke, and Surgical patients. This responsibility extends to ensuring a high standard of clinical care for the patients and supporting junior staff in achieving this.
-
Dietetic Service: The dietitian will provide services to allocated wards or clinics (General Medicine, MFE, Oncology, Stroke, Surgical) and rotate as required due to service needs. This includes assessing, treating, and providing nutritional support based on clinical evidence.
-
Assessment and Treatment: The dietitian conducts complex nutritional assessments, calculates nutritional requirements, and interprets medical data (e.g., biochemistry, pharmacology). They will use negotiation skills to develop appropriate, realistic, and evidence-based care plans, including decisions regarding artificial nutritional support.
-
Nutritional Support Decisions: The role involves analyzing options for artificial nutritional support, and making decisions about initiation and withdrawal based on clinical evidence, patient needs, and ethical considerations.
-
Communication: The dietitian is required to liaise with multidisciplinary teams (MDT) to ensure patients are treated effectively and discharged safely with proper nutrition support plans. This includes discussing issues such as ethical dilemmas related to nutritional support withdrawal.
-
Specialist Equipment Use: The dietitian will use specialized equipment for assessing nutritional status, such as bioelectrical impedance, callipers, and hand grip dynamometers, interpreting results and adjusting treatment plans as necessary.
-
Discharge and Follow-Up: Responsibility for ensuring safe discharge planning for patients requiring artificial nutrition support, liaising with community dietitians, and organizing necessary training and product supply.
-
Seven-Day Service: The dietitian participates in a seven-day service, working weekends on a rota basis, and provides dietetic support during times of increased demand or staff shortages.
-
Catering Liaison: The dietitian works with catering staff to ensure the provision of appropriate meals for patients with specific dietary needs, including those with dysphagia, in consultation with speech and language therapists.
-
Social Issues: In some cases, the dietitian may refer patients to external agencies such as social services or housing support when complex social issues related to nutrition arise.
-
Nutrition Team Contribution: The dietitian contributes to the nutrition team ward rounds, offering advice on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and other artificial nutritional support, ensuring safe and appropriate treatment for patients.
-
Research and Audit: The dietitian is expected to engage in research and audit activities to improve the dietetic service and report findings within the Trust.
Communication Skills:
-
Patient Interaction: The dietitian must communicate effectively with patients and carers, especially in complex and emotional situations, using reassurance and motivational skills where necessary.
-
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Collaboration: They provide advice and guidance to the MDT, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, making recommendations on appropriate treatments and addressing ethical dilemmas related to nutritional support.
-
Sensitive Information: The role requires handling sensitive and contentious information, such as decisions about withdrawal of nutritional support, and effectively communicating with patients and families during difficult situations.
-
Community Liaison: The dietitian collaborates with community teams for outpatient nutrition management, providing education and support to clinicians, patients, and carers.
-
Dietetic Counselling: The dietitian provides counselling to patients and carers to help them meet dietary and medical goals, especially when facing complex barriers to change.
-
Emergency Cover: The dietitian may be required to step in and cover for colleagues during periods of absence or staff shortages, ensuring continuity of care for patients.
Educational Responsibilities:
-
Patient Education: The dietitian is responsible for educating patients, especially those with significant barriers to understanding, about their complex dietary needs. This may involve one-on-one education or group sessions.
-
Student Dietitian Training: The role involves contributing to the training of student dietitians, including planning placements, supervising students, and assessing their progress.
-
Educational Programs: The dietitian will also contribute to the development and delivery of educational programs related to nutritional management, including cardiac rehabilitation sessions and training for other healthcare staff.
-
Trust Events: The dietitian participates in trust-wide events such as Nutrition Week and Dietitians Week, supporting both patients and staff in nutrition-related activities.
Financial Responsibilities:
-
Stock Control: The dietitian is responsible for ordering and maintaining stock levels of specialist nutritional products for their areas of care.
-
Equipment Management: The dietitian ensures the proper use and maintenance of specialized equipment, such as enteral and parenteral pumps, and ensures the security and safe use of this equipment.
-
Purchasing: The role involves following guidance on purchasing low-cost resources and ensuring efficient use of resources within the department.
General Duties:
-
Documentation: The dietitian is required to maintain accurate records of all patient interactions in accordance with professional and Trust guidelines.
-
Confidentiality: Maintaining confidentiality of patient information is essential, in line with Trust policies and professional standards.
-
Professional Development: The dietitian must participate in continuing professional development (CPD) and maintain a CPD portfolio, ensuring they keep up to date with nutrition and dietetic practices.
-
Compliance: The dietitian must comply with all Trust policies, including Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, and record-keeping standards, while ensuring patients' informed consent before dietetic intervention.
-
Teamwork: As part of the Dietetic Department Team, the dietitian will participate in staff meetings, departmental developments, and contribute to overall service delivery.
-
Additional Duties: The dietitian may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the role, responding to service needs and requests from the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics.
This summary outlines the extensive scope of the dietitian's responsibilities, spanning clinical care, team collaboration, education, communication, and administrative duties. The position requires strong professional skills, including the ability to manage complex clinical cases, handle sensitive issues, collaborate with diverse healthcare teams, and contribute to service development and improvement.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Dietetics 4 year degree course or equivalent State Registered Dietitian with HPC BDA member
Desirable
- BDA member of one specialist group
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Ability to provide specialised treatment packages, plan and provide appropriate monitoring and use initiative for all rotational areas Ability to analyse complex, conflicting information, and deciding on the most appropriate treatment plan from a range of options for all rotational areas Ability to communicate complex, conflicting, sensitive information Good written and verbal communication Ability to work as part of a MDT team Ability to prioritise workload Demonstrate time management Computer literate Flexible Assertive Accurate record keeping Maintain confidentiality Teaching & presentation skills
Experience
Essential
- Up to date clinical knowledge Knowledge of general medications Knowledge of government strategy for general medicine, medicine for elderly, oncology, stroke, and surgical areas Dietetic experience on clinical placement Working as a team Experience of managing demand in a busy acute setting, demonstrating ability to appropriately prioritise and manage your workload efficiently for Elderly services Experience of working with different ethnic groups Experience working with colleagues in health and other agencies
Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet Trust values
Other requirements
Essential
- Understanding of and commitment to CPD Demonstrate an understanding of equal opportunities
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Dietetics 4 year degree course or equivalent State Registered Dietitian with HPC BDA member
Desirable
- BDA member of one specialist group
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Ability to provide specialised treatment packages, plan and provide appropriate monitoring and use initiative for all rotational areas Ability to analyse complex, conflicting information, and deciding on the most appropriate treatment plan from a range of options for all rotational areas Ability to communicate complex, conflicting, sensitive information Good written and verbal communication Ability to work as part of a MDT team Ability to prioritise workload Demonstrate time management Computer literate Flexible Assertive Accurate record keeping Maintain confidentiality Teaching & presentation skills
Experience
Essential
- Up to date clinical knowledge Knowledge of general medications Knowledge of government strategy for general medicine, medicine for elderly, oncology, stroke, and surgical areas Dietetic experience on clinical placement Working as a team Experience of managing demand in a busy acute setting, demonstrating ability to appropriately prioritise and manage your workload efficiently for Elderly services Experience of working with different ethnic groups Experience working with colleagues in health and other agencies
Values
Essential
- Demonstrable ability to meet Trust values
Other requirements
Essential
- Understanding of and commitment to CPD Demonstrate an understanding of equal opportunities
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).
Employer details
Employer name
North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
Address
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics - Therapies Department Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital site
Sterling Way
London
N18 1QX
Employer's website
https://www.northmid.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
