Specialist Dietitian (Learning disabilities and Mental Health)

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic Dietitian specialised in Learning Disability and Mental Health dietetics to join our team. This position is open to candidates at Band 7 level. The postholder will provide highly specialised dietetic input to adult inpatients on our specialist Forensic Learning Disability ward, Oak Unit. This ward is located at Springfield Hospital.

The successful candidate will be working as the sole Dietitian on Oak Unit with an experienced MDT. The successful candidate will be part of a larger and wider Nutrition & Dietetics team. Our dietetic services cover adult acute admissions, rehabilitation, secure services, older people’s services, learning disability service, CAMHS, inpatient child and adolescent eating disorder ward and adult inpatient and outpatient eating disorder services. We are a friendly and proactive dietetics team.

The successful applicant will manage a caseload of service users on Oak unit as well as other Forensic wards as time allows. They will conduct dietetic assessments, deliver therapeutic interventions, and work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team. Additionally, the role includes providing nutritional advice, education, and training to nursing staff, doctors, dietetic students, and other healthcare professionals.

Main duties of the job

You will be forward thinking and driven to deliver high quality, patient centred care based on advanced clinical knowledge in the area of adult learning disabilities and current evidence.  You will autonomously undertake specialist assessments and interventions with individuals with complex dietetic needs and dysphagia.

You will receive clinical supervision from a Clinical Lead Dietician. There is excellent staff support, regular appraisal and CPD within SWLSTG Dietetics team.

You will be actively encouraged to participate in continuing professional development activities and will be supported to achieve the necessary skills, knowledge and attributes of a B7 Dietician within Specialist Learning Disability & Mental Health Forensic Service.

Candidates should be a Registered Dietitian; with experience of working in a mental health setting.  A working knowledge of behaviour change and motivational interviewing would be beneficial.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work as an autonomous, highly specialist dietitian, managing a caseload of service users with mental illness and learning disabilities

To work in a low secure learning disability and autism inpatient unit (Turner ward) providing assessment, treatment planning and provision for service users with complex nutritional and psychological needs.

To provide input and dietetic cover as required across the trust including acute admissions, rehabilitation, older people’s services and also CAMHS.

To ensure that there is dietetic advice to support the monitoring of the Trust’s catering contracts and delivery of a positive patient experience at mealtimes.

To provide training to staff and service users and carers on nutritional issues relating to mental health and learning disabilities

To participate in the planning, development and evaluation of the Dietetic service, holding  responsibility for defined projects; working towards improved service quality across the Trust

To provide dietetic advice to support the monitoring of the Trust’s catering contracts and delivery of a positive patient experience at mealtimes.