Community Specialist Eating Disorder Dietitian

The Methodist Church in Britain; Oxford; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

NHS discount

Employee Assistance Programme

Staff accommodation (waiting lists)

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking a Specialist Dietitian to work within a community eating disorder service, focusing on nutritional assessment and evidence‑based dietary advice for adults. The role involves training colleagues in measurement techniques and contributing to complex clinical case management within a multidisciplinary team.

Applicants should have a dietetics degree and current HCPC registration, with at least one year of Band 5 preceptorship or equivalent post‑registration

Qualifications

• Degree in Dietetics or postgraduate qualification in Nutrition and Dietetics (essential).
• At least one year of Band 5 preceptorship or equivalent post‑registration experience and competence.
• Current HCPC registration as a dietitian.

Responsibilities

• Be professionally and legally accountable for own dietetic management of patients within professional code and Trust policies.
• Carry out comprehensive, evidence-based assessments of referred community patients including biochemistry, anthropometry, clinical condition, diet history and social circumstances.
• Interpret assessment data using advanced reasoning skills.
• Provide a dietetic service to a specialist and complex clinical area at independent advanced practitioner level.
• Be assessed as competent in nutritional measurements and train others to carry them out (anthropometry, mid upper arm circumference, hand grip strength, growth charts, weight-for-height and BMI).
• Give evidence-based nutrition and dietary advice suited to patients' medical, social and cultural factors and their communication level, including carers.
• Attend clinical meetings and communicate closely with the MDT and other agencies.

Skills

Dietetic knowledge

Assessment skills

Communication

Training/teaching

Autonomous practice

CPD reflective learning

Education

Degree in Dietetics

Postgraduate qualification in Nutrition and Dietetics

Job description

This is a specialist dietitian post in the community eating disorder service, working with adults who present with differing eating disorder types. The work centres on nutritional assessment of referred patients, evidence-based dietary advice and training colleagues in measurement techniques, all within a multidisciplinary team. It is pitched at independent advanced practitioner level and covers complex clinical cases. Candidates need a dietetics degree and current HCPC registration.

What the job involves

• Be professionally and legally accountable for own dietetic management of patients, within the professional code of practice and Trust policies
• Carry out comprehensive, evidence-based assessments of referred community patients, including biochemistry, anthropometry, clinical condition, diet history and social circumstances
• Interpret assessment data using advanced reasoning skills
• Provide a dietetic service to a specialist and complex clinical area at independent advanced practitioner level
• Be assessed as competent in nutritional measurements and train others to carry them out (anthropometry, mid upper arm circumference, hand grip strength, growth charts, weight-for-height and BMI)
• Give evidence-based nutrition and dietary advice suited to patients' medical, social and cultural factors and their communication level, including that of carers
• Attend clinical meetings and communicate closely with the MDT and other agencies

Qualifications

• Degree in Dietetics or postgraduate qualification in Nutrition and Dietetics
• At least one year of Band 5 preceptorship, or equivalent post-registration experience and competence

Registration & licences

• Current HCPC registration as a dietitian

Experience

• Contribution to or leadership of a project, audit, service evaluation or quality improvement activity, including defining objectives and evaluating impact

Skills & knowledge

• Sound knowledge of general dietetics and adult nutritional requirements
• Examples of assessment, care planning and managing clinical complexity
• Sensitive working with patients and carers
• Delivering training or presentations and supporting students or other learners
• Clear written and verbal communication and multidisciplinary decision-making
• Autonomous practice, recognising limitations and seeking support

Other

• Current, relevant CPD with evidence of reflective learning applied to practice
• Maintaining confidentiality, professional standards and relevant codes of practice
• Effective use of standard clinical, communication or office-based digital systems
• Prioritising workload, meeting deadlines and managing competing demands
• Self-motivation, responsibility, initiative and adapting to change or pressure

Nice to have

• Current membership of the British Dietetic Association
• Evidence of research, audit or project work
• Experience contributing to treatment protocols, clinical pathways or guidelines
• Relevant specialist CPD
• Knowledge of clinical and psychosocial issues in eating disorders
• Experience assessing or treating people with eating disorders
• Use of counselling, motivational or behaviour change approaches

What’s offered

• Career progression opportunities and tailored individual and Trust-wide learning and development
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• Competitive pension scheme
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• NHS discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
• Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and staff networking groups
• Staff accommodation (waiting lists apply)