Specialist Dietitian

NHS; Bishop Auckland; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking a qualified Specialist Dietitian to join their Community team. The role involves managing caseloads, working with various clinical settings, and participating in training students. Ideal candidates will hold relevant qualifications and be proactive about service improvement in a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in various clinical settings.
• Registered with the Health Care Professions Council.
• Experience in nutrition support and critical care.

Responsibilities

• Manage own caseload, seeing patients individually or in groups.
• Participate in student training and assessment.
• Work closely with other Community Dietitians and staff.

Skills

Clinical supervisory skills

Leadership training

Ability to plan, initiate, and evaluate new services

Understanding of NHS environment

Experience using SystmOne

Education

Master's Degree (working towards or holding)

PENG course

Job description

Go back County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Dietitian

The closing date is 30 June 2025

We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified Dietitian to join our Community team.

We would love to show you our department, follow us on social media at Instagram cddftdietitians, Twitter @CDDFTDietitian.

We are a proactive department with a strong focus on service improvement, digital advancement, and staff development. We have a preceptorship programme for new staff, regular clinical supervision, and numerous CPD opportunities to support career progression. Rotational posts may be possible where there are interested parties and can be discussed at interview.

County Durham is an excellent place to live, with beautiful countryside and coastlines alongside interesting towns and cities. There are excellent transport links to Newcastle (15 minutes via train from Durham) and Sunderland, as well as rail links to other UK cities and international travel from Newcastle and Teesside International Airports.

Main duties of the job

The Nutrition and Dietetic service is split into speciality teams: secondary care, bariatrics, primary care, adult and paediatric diabetes, home enteral feeding, and paediatrics. We are supported by Dietetic assistants and Central Administration.

Our service is based on four sites: Darlington Memorial Hospital, University Hospital North Durham, Bishop Auckland Hospital, and Shotley Bridge Hospital.

The community dietetic team provides coverage to the general adult population within County Durham and Darlington, including nursing home visits, domiciliary home visits, community training sessions, and other community activities. The post holder will be based at Bishop Auckland Hospital but will be required to cover other areas within the locality.

About us

If you are being interviewed, you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated as essential in the person specification to complete pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from two acute sites—Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We also operate a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals and settings across the region.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, as these groups are currently underrepresented.

Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.

Over-reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success.

For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.

From April 9th, 2025—Healthcare assistants—you must have at least two years of NHS experience as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criterion and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).

Job responsibilities

The post holder will manage their own caseload, referred by community or secondary care professionals. Patients will be seen individually, in groups, or with carers in various settings including hospital wards, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, patients' homes, and telephone clinics. The post holder will work closely with other Community Dietitians and multidisciplinary team members.

The department trains dietetic students (A, B, and C placements), and the post holder will actively participate in student training, planning, coordination, and assessment.

The Nutrition and Dietetic service is structured into teams covering secondary care (including nutrition support and critical care), bariatrics, primary care (including care home training), adult and paediatric diabetes, and home enteral feeding. The service comprises 6 teams, with 49 Dietitians, 1 Specialist Nurse, 4 Dietetic assistants, supported by central administration. We are based on four sites across the region.

New graduates are very welcome to apply, with roles adjusted accordingly for training and development. The appointment will be at Band 6 Annex 21 (75% of the top of Band 6 as per NHS Agenda for Change) or Band 6, depending on qualifications and experience. If appointed under Annex 21, after successfully completing our 12-month competency-based training, you will progress to a permanent Band 6 role. The contract ends if the required learning objectives are not met within this period.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Clinical supervisory skills
• Leadership training
• Working towards or holding a Master's Degree
• Completion of PENG course

Statutory Registration

• Registered with the Health Care Professions Council

Experience

• Experience in various clinical settings
• Experience working within MDT environments
• Experience in audit and research, including submissions/presentations
• Experience in nutrition support and critical care

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Post-graduate specialist education (e.g., PENG course)
• Ability to plan, initiate, and evaluate new services and manage change
• Understanding of NHS environment and its impact on services and staff
• Knowledge of local and national strategies related to community dietetics
• Member of BDA
• Experience using SystmOne

Special Requirements

• Willingness to meet travel requirements

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A DBS check will be required to check for previous convictions.

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Salary: £37,338 to £44,962 per annum, pro-rata or under Annex 21 scheme.