Specialist Dietitian

Job summary

Are you interested in representing dietetics in a specialist multidisciplinary team consisting of diabetes specialist nurses, GPs, podiatry, health in mind and pharmacy that provides patient-centred care for those living with type 2 diabetes? Does a role that involves collaborative MDT working within a variety of clinical specialities appeal? If the answer to any of these is yes, then we would love you to read on.

Due to an internal promotion we are looking for someone enthusiastic about developing their knowledge base that is relevant to type 2 diabetes, to join the Integrated Community Diabetes Care Service for East Sussex. This role day to day works as part of the integrated disciplinary team across primary and secondary care and is supported by the wider Dietetic Team within East Sussex Healthcare; an integrated acute, intermediate care and community Trust.

The dietetic team are vibrant and thriving department that continually engages with new research and technology. We have moved to a paperless patient records system. The use of social media allows us to regularly share and celebrate our teams' achievements. In addition to this, the team promotes and values a strong focus on the health and wellbeing of our staff through social events and activities.

Please see our PageTiger for more info on the department

*Relocation assistance may be provided. Please discuss at interview*

Main duties of the job

To provide a comprehensive and effective dietetic service (assessment and treatment) to the Integrated Community Diabetes Care (ICDC) Service using developed specialist knowledge and skills. To work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary Diabetes Team and Nutrition & Dietetic service acting as an expert on the dietetic management of adults with diabetes providing advice, support and training to staff, advising on change in dietetic treatment in line with evidence-based practise.

To be responsible for the planning and prioritising of own clinical caseload, this includes all adult patients with type 2 diabetes and any co-morbidities gastroenterology, rheumatology, renal, cardiology and surgery in the outpatient setting. To liaise with dietetic colleagues, the multidisciplinary team and/or other specialities and external Trust departments, regarding individual service users and their care when required.

To be involved in delivering group structured education for adults with Type 2 Diabetes, alongside the Diabetes Specialist Nurses. To provide training in the area of nutrition and diabetes to Primary care colleagues across all East Sussex place, whilst acting as a resource for specialist information that can be accessed. To undertake development of resources to educate and treat people with diabetes. To develop regular audit of services provided, identifying and carrying out research where indicated.

About us

We are proud to provide 'Outstanding' care and be a great place to work

We provide safe, compassionate and high quality care to half a million people living or visiting East Sussex. We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex, the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. Our extensive services are provided by 7000 + members of staff working from acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites and in people's own homes.

In 2020 the Care Quality Commission rated us as 'Good' overall, and 'Outstanding' for being caring and effective. The Conquest Hospital and our Community Services are rated 'Outstanding'. Eastbourne DGH rated 'Good'.

In 2020, the Trust launched its ambitious 'Building for our Future' programme. This once in a lifetime programme aims to repair, redevelop and expand our hospitals, transforming the environment in which we provide care for generations to come.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide high quality, complex nutritional and dietetic advice in order to contribute to the care of patients with type 2 diabetes enabling them to make informed choices about their health-related behaviours. This will involve calculation of nutritional requirements, assessment of oral intake, lifestyle and barriers to change; and interpretation of biochemical and anthropometric measurements, as well as considering social and cultural needs. The outcome of the dietetic consultation will be a patient specific nutrition action plan.

To develop, negotiate and review specific action plans for patients with diabetes in consultation with the patients and their carers. This will involve explaining the rational for dietary change, nutritional counselling, agreeing dietary goals and supportive and motivational skills to overcome barriers to change.

To make clinical decisions concerning necessary changes to patients dietary intake and oral nutritional supplement prescriptions, and communicate these decisions to other healthcare professionals, patients and carers.

To make recommendations to the medical/specialist nurse team regarding the adaptation of medication for the management of diabetes based on interpretation of biochemical parameters and dietary intake.

To assess the patients understanding of the proposed treatment and gain valid informed consent from patients prior to the commencement of dietetic intervention and treatment, and have the capacity to work within the legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent.

Please also refer to the job description for full details.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

BSc Hons Degree in Nutrition & Dietetics or equivalent Registered with the Health Care Professions Council Evidence of relevant postgraduate study

Desirable

Teaching Certificate Health Education Certificate IT Qualification ( EDCL) Post graduate qualification in counselling or behavioural change

Experience

Essential

Minimum of 2-3 years practice as a dietitian in a clinical setting Experience of conducting patient and other health professional group education Training of Student Dietitians Working within a multidisciplinary team Experience of audits and research Self directed working Computer aided dietary assessment Experience of line management

Desirable

Experience of Diabetes and Obesity

Skills

Essential

Sound clinical knowledge based on current best practice. Knowledge of current issues and research relating to dietetics and diabetes. Knowledge of diabetic medications and insulin. Medications and drug nutrient interactions

Desirable

Current NHS policies and initiatives Evidence of relevant specialist interest group (British Dietetic Association) Complex diabetes dietetic clinical knowledge based on current best practice.

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