Specialist Learning Disability Weight Management Dietitian

NHS; Bedford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity with NHS to lead a novel weight management program for individuals with learning disabilities in Bedford. The role focuses on clinical dietetics, requiring expertise in nutritional management and a collaborative approach to improve lives. Join a dedicated team addressing health inequalities and enhancing dietary practices within the community.

Qualifications

• Evidence of managing complex clinical conditions including obesity.
• Experience of providing support to junior Dietetic staff.
• Post-qualification training relevant to working with Learning Disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the embedment of the ELFT Shape Up programme for weight management.
• Manage a complex caseload and evaluate dietetic interventions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care.

Skills

Autonomy

Clinical reasoning

Client-centred approach

Teamwork

Education

BSc in Nutrition & Dietetics or equivalent

Job description

Specialist Learning Disability Weight Management Dietitian

We invite you to apply to this novel and rewarding 18 month fixed term opportunity to provide dietetic leadership into the newly established weight management service for people with learning disabilities in Bedford Borough. This prevention service is designed to complement other clinical pathways within the Specialist Learning Disabilities Service in Bedfordshire in partnership with Bedford Borough Council. Your role will be up to 3-days per week, supervising a junior post-holder and working alongside multi-professional colleagues to promote access for this under-served group. If you would like to discuss the opportunity before applying, please be in touch with Simone Mingay or Iduna Heinrich.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will lead with the support of the Professional Lead Dietitian, the embedment of the ELFT Shape Up programme, a weight management service for people with learning disabilities in Bedfordshire, and will be the driving force behind its workstreams and service development. The Shape Up programme comprises service-user intervention and training in practical nutrition for carers and staff, and has been co-developed with service users and re-run in ELFT specialist learning disabilities services in other boroughs after demonstrable positive impact. This will involve working with the specialist learning disabilities service, care providers, primary care and community services to promote and deliver the programme effectively, and identify opportunities for improvement.

The post-holder will be both autonomous and team-spirited, proactive and organised, and approachable. The post-holder will work effectively with multidisciplinary professionals across sites, and will seek opportunities to support the weight management service to develop locally. This role is an exciting opportunity to address dietary health inequalities at a borough-wide level within the Trust, and expand current practices surrounding nutrition in the trust for the benefit of the disadvantaged people we serve.

About us

Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations

Job responsibilities

• Provide dietetic input for adults diagnosed with a learning disability who have a Bedfordshire GP.
• Independently manage a complex caseload using advanced clinical reasoning to support assessments and interventions with the support of the Band 5 dietitian.
• Use a client-centred approach and current evidence base to assess, plan, implement, evaluate and document Dietetic interventions.
• Provide service for a caseload of weight management patients by working with the MDT and attending the Shape Up Programme, ensuring regular review.
• Manage a caseload of patients living with obesity who are at risk of metabolic complications, offering tailored dietetic advice in group and individual settings.
• Deliver and evaluate the accessible Shape Up Programme in collaboration with the Band 5 dietitian.
• Work closely with therapists and Band 5 dietitian to improve people's quality of life.

Person Specification

Person Specification

• oBSc in Nutrition & Dietetics or equivalent
• oUK registered with Health Professional Council
• oEvidence of the dietetic management of a wide range of complex clinical conditions including weight management and diabetes
• oDemonstrated ability to work autonomously
• oKnowledge of national policies and guidelines in the area of Weight management, Diabetes and Cardiovascular
• oUnderstanding of Obesity including the associated physical and mental health risks
• oPost-qualification training relevant to working with people living with Learning Disabilities and/ or Obesity.h
• oExperience of working in a community setting
• oExperience of working with people with obesity and/or Learning Disabilities or in a similar setting
• oExperience of developing protocols and evaluation
• oExperience of providing support to junior Dietetic staff

Interview

• UK registered with Health Professional Council
• Member of the British Dietetic Association
• Experience of working within the community setting
• Has an ability to use own initiative and to be self-motivated

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.