SENIOR SPECIALIST DIETITIAN (PAEDIATRIC ACUTE EATING DISORDERS)

NHS; Leicester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Senior Specialist Dietitian for Paediatric Acute Eating Disorders. The role involves working with children suffering from eating disorders, providing nutritional assessments, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in paediatric dietetics and excellent communication skills. This position offers a chance to make a significant impact on children's health and wellbeing in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Dietetic experience in the specialist field of paediatric eating disorders.
• Can demonstrate ability to initiate and complete quality improvement projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective nutrition and dietetic input into children with eating disorders.
• Support the Paediatric acute ED multi professional team in decision-making.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Teamwork

Education

Undergraduate or Post Graduate Degree in Nutrition & Dietetics

Masters level qualification in advanced dietetic practice

Completion of a Clinical Teaching Skills Course

Job description

Go back University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

SENIOR SPECIALIST DIETITIAN (PAEDIATRIC ACUTE EATING DISORDERS)

The closing date is 05 June 2025

Are you looking for a clinical leadership development opportunity and a new challenge? Are you an enthusiastic, strongly motivated Dietitian with a proven record in children's and young peoples dietetics, then this opportunity may be for you.

This post is funded by the Integrated Care Board in response to a national picture of 90% increase in eating disorders hospital admissions in a 5 year period. This is a highly effective clinical dietetic post. In the first year, length of stay in this patient group reduced by 53% and use of enteral tube feeding reduced by 29%.

This post represents an exciting opportunity for a Specialist Dietitian to work as a core member of a Specialist Paediatric Eating Disorders acute Multi professional team at Leicester Children's Hospital based at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced, motivated and proactive team player with excellent communication skills to undertake this specialist role. You will work as a core and valued member of the Paediatric Eating Disorders acute multi disciplinary team which covers the areas of Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR).

The scope of the work you will undertake will be with children admitted with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorders. You will be undertaking assessment and monitoring of inpatients to aid physical recovery whilst therapeutic input to assist their psychological recovery. You will be the point of liaison for planning in regards to refeeding and nutritional stabilisation alongside the named Consultant.

You will be working both in the Emergency Department and Childrens Hospital wards alongside the ED team, Psychiatric teams, Dietitians and other relevant teams. You will also be supporting the ward team care for these patients eg catering hostess, housekeeper, nursing team and providing advice on a suitable environment for these patients. The postholder will also provide CAMHS liaison and facilitation of admission, discharge, repatriatriation and other specialist placement.

You will be part of a highly regarded and friendly paediatric and neonatal dietetic team which is currently going through a period of expansion due to additional investment. The team is supported by a dedicated Paediatric Dietetic Assistant and a Dietetic Team Leader.

About us

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/

Job responsibilities

• To provide an effective, evidence based proactive nutrition and dietetic input into children admitted with eating disorders.
• The post holder will use advanced skills to support/inform the Paediatric acute ED multi professional team in the decision process, on emotive subjects such as the ethical decisions whether to provide nutrition and diet care and the risk/benefits within a legal context.
• To contribute to the process of statutory assessments for children with complex needs as required.
• To undertake needs assessment in order to plan, deliver and evaluate intervention programmes to support motivation in patients/groups to facilitate dietary change eg patient support group events.
• To assist the Clinical Speciality Lead for Womens and Childrens in the strategic development of Womens and Childrens Dietetic and Nutrition Service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• A four year Undergraduate or Post Graduate Degree in Nutrition & Dietetics or similar non-UK qualification
• HCPC Registration
• Completion of a Clinical Teaching Skills Course.
• Masters level qualification or post-graduate training in advanced dietetic practice.
• Completion of an Advanced Clinical Supervisory Skills Course

Experience

• Dietetic experience in a varied dietetic environment
• Dietetic experience in the specialist field of paediatric eating disorders
• Has developed expert practice in paediatric dietetics to include different ways of caseload management and delivering services.
• Can demonstrate evidence of continued professional development (eg. keeps a professional portfolio, professional involvement in clinical research).
• Is able to demonstrate ability to initiate and complete quality improvement projects leading to improved patient care
• Previous involvement with the pre-registration practice training for Dietitians
• Has good knowledge of national strategies and clinical evidence related to paediatric Eating Disorders
• Can demonstrate the required competency in the post. Is able to maintain competency to practice as an expert dietetic practitioner in paediatrics.
• Has good knowledge of national strategies and clinical evidence related to paediatric Eating Disorders.
• Previous experience of line management or co-ordination of clinical supervision or providing coaching / mentoring role.

Communication

• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Evidence of leadership skills
• Has a good understanding of team work and how this can be used to improve patient care and able to provide examples of own experience in this.
• Can give examples of ability to liaise with professionals at all levels and can demonstrate a role in influencing multi-professional practice.
• Is aware of the different communication needs within a culturally diverse community and how this may impact on both own professional practice and others
• Is able to use different techniques for motivating individuals and groups to make behavioural change and can provide examples of this
• Has undertaken post-registration training in behavioural change and motivational interviewing.

Planning, Analytical & Organisational Skills

• Has a vision for new ways of working and healthcare delivery related to paediatrics and paediatric eating disorders including evidence of change management skills.
• Is able to support and take a key role in the professional development of others.
• Has worked independently and used a high level of initiative
• Can give examples of quality initiatives to improve patient care and identify own involvement and role in specific initiatives
• Working knowledge of local and national clinical and professional policies, guidelines and procedures

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.

University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust