Specialist Gastroenterology-Surgical Dietitian

NHS; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare provider in Plymouth is looking for a Specialist Gastroenterology-Surgical Dietitian. You will provide dietetic services for patients with gastrointestinal conditions, working closely with a multidisciplinary team. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience and relevant qualifications in dietetics. This role emphasizes support for both inpatients and outpatients, alongside supervision of junior staff. Join a committed team focused on patient-centered care in a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in clinical dietetics within the NHS, particularly gastroenterology.
• Good clinical knowledge of gastroenterology, surgery and nutritional support.
• Demonstrable experience of working in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Provide dietetic advice to inpatients and outpatients.
• Act as a clinical resource for specialist knowledge.
• Provide outpatient services for gastroenterology clinics.

Skills

Clinical dietetics

Gastroenterology knowledge

Communication skills

Teamwork

Teaching ability

Nutritional support expertise

Education

BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Professional registration (HCPC)

Tools

Statistical packages

Database software

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Job description

Specialist Gastroenterology-Surgical Dietitian

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Nutrition and Dietetic Team at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust as a Specialist Gastroenterology Band 6 Dietitian. The post holder will be a key member of the Gastroenterology dietetic team, providing a specialist dietetic service to outpatients. There will be some inpatient gastrointestinal surgery work. The successful candidate will support outpatients with a range of conditions including: coeliac disease, liver disease and IBS.

The postholder will be involved in all nutrition and dietetic departmental activities and will contribute to the delivery of a Trust wide dietetic service.

The post holder will be a valued member of the dietetic and multidisciplinary teams involved in this specialty and contribute to teaching, audit and research activities as required. They will be responsible for the clinical development and supervision of junior staff and student dietitians as well as acting as a professional resource for other dietitians. If you are able to work under pressure and can make sound clinical decisions this will be an exciting career opportunity for you.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide expert evidence-based advice to patients with any gastrointestinal condition requiring dietetic intervention in an outpatient setting. They will also cover one day a week providinga dietetic service to an allocated workload of oncology inpatients and outpatients and to the cardiothoracic directorate providing expert dietetic advice on issues pertaining to oesophago-gastric (OG) Upper GI conditions and other surgery / gastroenterology as required.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities

To provide dietetic advice and support to inpatients and outpatients under the care of the Gastroenterology and other teams as required.

To act as a clinical resource, providing specialist knowledge to members of the dietetic department on Gastroenterology and Nutrition Support.

Provide an in-patient dietetic service and participate in multidisciplinary ward meetings and ward rounds as necessary.

Undertake nutritional assessment, dietary review (where appropriate) and design nutrition care plans taking into consideration anthropometry, biochemistry, pharmacology, and medical history.

To provide a source of expert knowledge and advice on nutrition in gastroenterological disease. Review patients nutritional status and adapt care plans accordingly.

Provide an outpatient service to patients attending specialist gastroenterology clinics.

To maintain accurate and timely dietetic record in the patient records in line with national and local record keeping standards.

Monitor the delivery of services as advised by the Line Manager or Head of Department.

To work cooperatively with other professionals to ensure delivery of coordinated multidisciplinary service to patients requiring nutrition support. Maintain good communication with all agencies involved with patient care e.g. G.Ps, consultants, nurses, pharmacy, allied health professionals, catering etc.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximise disease management. To translate complex information into an appropriate format for patients and carers and to be sensitive to patients needs.

To provide cover as needed for colorectal wards with patients who may have undergone surgery requiring stoma formation, being sensitive to their physical and emotional needs.

To participate in the production and review of evidence based resources and ensure that they are produced in line with Trust Document Control Policy.

For detailed roles and responsibilities see job description and person specification attached. For further information and an information discussion contact the recruiting manager.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Experience

• oExtensive demonstrable experience in clinical dietetics within the NHS, in particular gastroenterology.
• oGood working clinical knowledge of gastroenterology, surgery and nutritional support.
• oTraining, supervisory and teaching demonstrable experience.
• oDemonstrable experience of working in a multidisciplinary team.
• oDemonstrable experience in audit, standard setting and guideline.
• oComputer skills in database use and statistical packages.
• oDemonstrable experience of patients with eating disorders.
• oCompleted BDA approved post registration course.

Qualifications

• oBSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics or equivalent.
• oProfessional registration (HCPC).
• oProven evidence of recent CPD.
• oCompletion of PENG Clinical Update course.
• oRelevant validated BDA courses e.g. coeliac disease, FODMAPS.
• oRegistered for Diploma in advanced dietetic practice.
• oA teaching qualification or demonstrable experience of teaching groups.
• oCompletion of Clinical Supervisory Skills course.

Aptitude and Abilities

• oEffective communication skills with an ability to communicate with all levels of healthcare personnel (ward staff, kitchen staff, dietitians, senior and junior medical staff, senior managers) as well as patients and their carer's.
• oAble to work within a team.
• oExpertise in the practical skills of nutritional support.
• oEffective teaching and presentation skills.
• oComputer skills in word processing, spreadsheets and presentations.
• oGood organisational and time management/prioritisation skills.
• oAbility to supervise students and junior department staff.
• oCapable of producing good quality written information for staff and patients.
• oAbility to lift feeding equipment / deliver feeding supplies to patients on wards.
• oAbility to work within a busy environment.
• oEffective team worker.
• oProactive, with an ability to set up new initiative.
• oSelf-motivated.
• oEmpathetic and approachable.
• oAn enquiring mind with an enthusiasm for research and innovation.

Other factors

• oMaintains professional appearance.
• oFlexible regarding duties, the dietetic service may be required in future to cover 7 day working.
• oMember of the gastroenterology and PENG Interest Groups (BDA).

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.