Senior Dietitian

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust; Barrow-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional NHS health service is seeking a Senior Dietitian to join their mental health in-patient wards. This role involves providing specialized dietetic interventions to support patients' nutritional needs and working autonomously while collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team. The ideal candidate will hold HCPC registration and have a degree or diploma in Dietetics. A commitment to continual professional development is essential. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to improving patient care in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• HCPC Registration is mandatory.
• Demonstrable commitment to CPD in relevant areas.
• Experience in formulating treatment plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist dietetic interventions for nutritional support.
• Manage a defined clinical caseload in line with dietetic pathways.
• Participate in the education of patients and healthcare professionals.

Skills

HCPC Registration

Knowledge of health legislation

Effective MDT collaboration

Application of Dietetic process

Education

Degree / Diploma in Dietetics

Job description

Senior Dietitian

The closing date is 31 December 2025

Do you have the energy and enthusiasm to be part of a newly established network of dietitians delivering services to patients on our mental health in-patient wards?

Investment has created an opportunity for an experienced dietitian with a desire to specialise in working with people with a mental illness.

You would be part of a small network of Dietitians, lead by a principal dietitian providing a dietetic service to patients on our mental health in-patient wards. In addition to the Principal Dietitian, you would have the support of 3 band 7 In-patient Dietitians and our eating disorder dietitians. The principal dietitian for in-patients will mentor you and oversee your development.

LSCFT provides mental health in-patient services across Lancashire and South Cumbria. You would be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team on the 4 wards in the Bay. You will be based at Furness General in Barrow and be expected to travel to our wards at Kendal and Lancaster on a regular basis. You will carry out face to face and virtual dietetic assessments and implement interventions personalized to meet the needs of people referred to the service at all sites. You will also have a role in the education of patients, carers and other professionals. We would welcome applications from self‑motivated HCPC registered dietitians.

Main duties of the job

To provide Specialist Dietetic interventions with an aim to support, maintain and/or restore nutritional status. You will provide personalised patient care in line with the BDA model and process framework. The post holder will be based in an inpatient setting at Dane Garth, Furness General Hospital but will be required to visit a ward in Kendal and one in Lancaster regularly.

The post holder will work autonomously but be supported by a network of dietitians and dietetic support staff working in other inpatient units across the trust, and in our eating disorder services. Occasional travel to other LSCFT mental health wards may be required if urgent cover is required.

They will work autonomously across the 4 pillars of clinical practice (clinical practice, leadership, research and innovation and education and training) to:

• Manage a defined clinical caseload in line with the LSCFT mental health in-patient dietetic pathway, accessing supervision as required.
• Provide specialist dietetic advice to the in-patient mental health ward multi professional teams in the Bay and participate in the education of patients, carers and other healthcare professionals.
• Keep up to date with the evidence base and contribute to the setting of standards of care relevant to dietetics, development of specific care guidelines and updating of the care pathways.
• Undertake evidence-based audit and contribute to research projects.

About us

LSCFT values diversity and inclusion, recognising that talent from varied backgrounds creates a flexible, creative, and effective workforce. We actively challenge discrimination and welcome applications from all, regardless of age, disability (including those with experience of accessing or caring for someone who has accessed mental health or learning disability services), ethnicity, gender, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.

Our aim is to reflect the communities we serve, so we particularly encourage applications from under‑represented groups. If you'd like to discuss your application, please ask.

We also welcome individuals with lived experience relevant to the role or service area, as your insight brings authenticity to our services.

LSCFT supports flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as term time, part time, compressed hours and flexi‑time.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for more information about this role.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

• HCPC Registration
• Degree / Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of CPD in relevant areas

Knowledge

• Good knowledge of current best practice in within clinical area
• Knowledge of health legislation and current practice, risk assessment and management
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance
• Ability to work effectively within an MDT

Experience

• Application of the Dietetic process and relevant evidence base.
• Experience of formulating treatment plans.
• Multi-disciplinary working.
• Demonstrable evidence of improving and developing service /practice

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.

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust