Job summary
Join our dynamic team for this exciting opportunity to join the Dietetics service in Forensic Mental Health and play a key role in tackling health inequalities. The successful candidate will work across our low and medium secure forensic hospitals in East London. They will build on existing Dietetic structures, with the opportunity to develop a professional network, create high quality training and manage a complex caseload, alongside a strong physical health team across the hospitals. The successful candidate will access excellent clinical supervision from the Dietetics lead for the Trust.

We have strong professional links to Dietetics teams across ELFT; for additional networking, support and CPD opportunities. Our service is highly supportive of training and CPD opportunities, for professional and career development.

Forensics in ELFT have a strong ethos of interdisciplinary and dynamic working - highly driven by Quality Improvement. Please get in touch with Chouna Smith to discuss the post: chouna.smith@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

• Provide dietetic input for adults diagnosed with mental ill health admitted to ELFT low and medium secure forensic services.
• Independently manage a complex caseload using clinical reasoning to support dietetic assessments and interventions, with peer-support, and supervision from the specialist dietitians.
• Contribute to the delivery of the trust Nutrition and Hydration policy.
• Assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and document dietetic interventions using a person-centered approach and current evidence base.
• Provide service and be responsible for a caseload of nutrition support patients by working closely with the MDT, ensuring safe and appropriate review and monitoring.
• Support the delivery and audit of Nutrition Screening and Care Planning Training for staff.
• Support the development of the Healthy Eating Service and related Quality Improvement projects.
• Participate in ward/unit based health promotion and quality improvement activities with other professionals.
• Deliver weight management and prevention clinics or programs
• Support with effective onward referrals and discharge plans to appropriate services including eating disorder, healthy eating, bariatric, enteral feeding and other physical health services.

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

• Independently manage a complex caseload using advanced clinical reasoning to support assessments and interventions
• 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
• Manage a caseload of patients living with obesity who are at risk of metabolic complications, offering tailored dietetic advice in group and individual settings. **Please refer to Job Description for further details**

Person Specification
Essential

• BSc in Nutrition & Dietetics or equivalent
• UK registered with Health Professional Council
• Evidence of the dietetic management of a wide range of complex clinical conditions including weight management and diabetes
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously
• Knowledge of national policies and guidelines in the area of Weight management, Diabetes and Cardiovascular
• Understanding of Obesity including the associated physical and mental health risks

Desirable

• Post-qualification training relevant to working with people living with Learning Disabilities and/ or Obesity
• Experience of working in a community setting
• Experience of working with people with obesity and/or Learning Disabilities or in a similar setting
• Experience of developing protocols and evaluation
• Experience of providing support to junior Dietetic staff

Interview
Essential

• UK registered with Health Professional Council
• Member of the British Dietetic Association
• Post graduate professional practice in Dietetics

Desirable

• Experience of working within the community setting
• Has an ability to use own initiative and to be self-motivated

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.