Mental Health Dietitian

NHS; Enfield; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 53,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Enfield is seeking a Dietitian to deliver high-quality dietetic services in community and mental health settings. This part-time role involves clinical assessments, providing nutritional advice, and supporting mental health initiatives. The ideal candidate holds a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics and HCPC registration, with experience in the field. The salary is £44,485 to £52,521 per year, part-time, fixed term for 9 months.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 months of broad postgraduate dietetic experience, especially in Mental Health.
• Experience in nutritional support both oral and enteral.
• Experience working as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical dietetic services within designated mental health settings.
• Coordinate discharge-planning for patients requiring nutritional support.
• Contribute to the multidisciplinary team for dietetic interventions.

Skills

Ability to prioritise and organise

Excellent communication skills

Strong commitment to patient care

Ability to apply behavior change techniques

Education

BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics

HCPC registration

Job description

Job Summary

As part of the Nutrition and Dietetic Service providing care to a multi‑cultural and diverse population, deliver a high standard Dietetic service in the Community and acute MH setting.

Perform comprehensive dietetic assessment of patients with diverse presentations and complex physical and psychological conditions.

As part of the MDT support patients with Mental Health needs to improve their physical health and wellbeing.

Undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner, holding responsibility for own caseload of specialist and complex patients.

Undertake evidence‑based audit and/or research projects to further own and team's clinical practice, with support and guidance from more senior staff.

Be aware of and highlight to the line manager any clinical governance issues pertaining to the role and practice.

Contribute to delivery of health promotion activities within the service and wider Trust initiatives.

Main Duties

• Provide clinical dietetic service within designated mental health sites and be actively involved in the development and provision of the nutritional service in those areas.
• As an autonomous practitioner, be responsible for safe and efficient management of a patient dietetic caseload through assessment of clinical need and effective prioritisation.
• Provide complex nutritional advice to patients, carers and clinicians based on clinical evidence.
• Contribute to the multidisciplinary team in making decisions on all aspects of dietetic intervention, thus contributing to overall patient care.
• Translate complex scientific, medical, biochemical and nutritional information into simple, easily understood practical advice for individuals and carers, both one‑to‑one and in group settings.
• Communicate with other healthcare professionals regarding nutrition‑related prescriptions and nutritional management of patients, providing, where necessary, information and education to clinicians, patients and carers.
• Coordinate safe discharge‑planning and follow‑up of those patients requiring artificial nutritional support in the community.
• Advise and liaise with the catering staff concerning the dietary needs for the specialist clinical service.

Responsibilities

• Maintain own competency through relevant CPD activities and keep a CPD portfolio reflecting personal development.
• Implement evidence‑based practice, develop specialist dietetic knowledge and apply critical appraisal skills to emerging evidence and research to evaluate own practice and disseminate learning.
• Supervise student dietitians or dietetic support workers under the overall supervision of more senior staff, where appropriate.
• Participate in staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and comply with agreed personal development programmes.
• Appraise the dietetic assistant where appropriate.
• Measure and evaluate own work and current practices through evidence‑based practice projects, audits and outcome measures, individually or as part of a team with more senior clinicians.
• Implement National, Service and Organisational policies and guidance that apply to the role.
• Liaise with catering services regarding individual patient requirements and help resolve any catering issues arising on the wards or in the Day Hospital.
• Participate in statutory inspections involving nutrition and dietetic standards.

Person Specification – Education & Professional Qualifications

• BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics or Postgraduate diploma or MSc in Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
• Commitment to advanced clinical and professional development.

Desirable – Education & Qualifications

• Additional qualification or BDA accredited courses or equivalent in‑house training (e.g. PENG clinical update, Membership of special interest group).

Experience – Essential

• At least 6 months broad postgraduate dietetic experience including experience of working in Mental Health.
• Experience in undertaking group work.
• Experience working as part of a team.
• Experience in nutritional support both oral and enteral.
• Broad range of clinical experience across a variety of clinical areas, including nutrition support for inpatients.
• Presentations to groups / teaching other Healthcare Professionals.

Experience – Desirable

• Student training / supervisory skills.
• Active participation in an audit or project.

Skills and Aptitudes – Essential

• Ability to prioritise, organise and work in a busy environment with excellent time‑keeping skills.
• Ability to keep accurate and legible patient notes.
• Demonstrate a high level of clinical reasoning.
• Supportive of other staff.
• Strong commitment to patient care.
• Good communication skills; able to present information in a clear and logical manner.
• Reliable, professional and flexible; strong team player.
• Ability to apply behaviour change/motivational interviewing techniques.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Skills and Aptitudes – Desirable

• Good IT skills.
• Driving licence / ability to drive to other sites.

Personal Qualities and Attributes – Essential

• Effective interpersonal skills, including assertiveness and ability to negotiate.
• Positive attitude to change.
• Self‑motivated to achieve personal and professional goals to an excellent standard.
• Ability to recognise and challenge unacceptable behaviour, acting appropriately using effective interpersonal skills, including assertiveness and negotiation.

Contract & Salary

Band: Band 6

Salary: £44,485 to £52,521 a year (Pro‑Rata) including HCAS.

Contract: Fixed term, duration 9 months, part‑time.

Location

St Michael's Site, Gater Drive, Enfield, EN2 0JB.

Required Checks

Applications must have a current UK professional registration.

Submit a Disclosure and Barring Service check (in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975).

Skilled Worker Sponsorship

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.

Employer

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

St Michael's Site, Gater Drive, Enfield, EN2 0JB.

Employer Website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/