Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dedicated and enthusiastic dietitian who would like to specialise in diabetes (or who is already specialising in diabetes) to join our team at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

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.

Available as a fixed term contract or secondment with the possibility of becoming permanent. (With current line manager's agreement).

The contract will finish end of August 2026.

Main duties of the job
This post will involve outpatient clinics, joint clinics with the Diabetes Specialist Nurses, providing type 1 education to patients both in a group setting and individually. It will also involve student training and include coordinating student training. Knowledge of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is required.

Diabetes is an exciting area to work in with lots of opportunities to develop knowledge and skills. The successful applicants will be an integral member of the Dietetic and Diabetes team based at Estover Health Centre in Plymouth.

The successful applicant will be required to develop and take part in staff teaching, student training and support the team in audit and service developments.

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.

Job responsibilities

• To act as an expert resource, providing specialist dietetic advice and support to healthcare professionals that provide care for people with diabetes.
• To provide specialist dietetic services to outpatients as part of a multi-disciplinary team, working closely with diabetes consultants, diabetes specialist nurses, podiatrists, GPs, and community nurses in order to provide seamless and consistent care for people with diabetes.
• To provide evidence based dietary advice and support for people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, type 3 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
• To advise patients, families and carers on appropriate dietary intervention using a range of developed communication and teaching skills to ensure understanding and promote the effective management of their condition.
• To communicate effectively with patients and carers to ensure understanding of condition. Communication skills of motivation, explanation and gaining informed consent will be used with a wide variety of patients. To be familiar with and apply cognitive behaviour therapy techniques as appropriate.
• To undertake a comprehensive assessment of a patients condition understanding drug treatments and other clinical test results with relevance to the dietary intervention required.
• To plan and deliver individualised nutritional care plans based on the comprehensive assessment of the patients needs. Where appropriate, liaising with other health professionals to advise on changes and treatment / medication or requests of further investigations.
• To evaluate outcomes of dietetic intervention through the monitoring and review of nutritional care plans and adjust care plans to facilitate achievement of goals.
• To refer onto other health professionals as considered appropriate.
• To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of people with diabetes in your care, keeping accurate patient records and activity data

Person Specification
Other factors

• Essential
  • Car driver
• Desirable
  • BDA membership

Qualifications

• Essential
  • BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics or related qualification
  • HCPC registered
• Desirable
  • Post graduate diabetes course
  • Member of DSG
  • Additional qualifications e.g. City and Guilds Teaching Certificate

Knowledge & Experience

• Essential
  • Demonstrable experience in T1 and T2 DM
  • Demonstrable experience of working in multidisciplinary team
• Desirable
  • Demonstrable experience in audit, standards and guidelines

Aptitude & Abilities

• Essential
  • Proven ability to think clearly and logically
  • Proven ability to work as part of a team
• Desirable
  • Proven ability to work within a busy environment

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 (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).