Senior specialist dietitian (paediatric acute eating disorders)

Job overview

Are you looking for a clinical leadership development opportunity and a new challenge? Are you an enthusiastic, strongly motivated Dietitian with a proven record in children's and young peoples dietetics, then this opportunity may be for you.

This post is funded by the Integrated Care Board in response to a national picture of 90% increase in eating disorders hospital admissions in a 5 year period. This is a highly effective clinical dietetic post. In the first year, length of stay in this patient group reduced by 53% and use of enteral tube feeding reduced by 29%.

This post represents an exciting opportunity for a Specialist Dietitian to work as a core member of a Specialist Paediatric Eating Disorders acute Multi professional team at Leicester Children’s Hospital based at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an experienced, motivated and proactive team player with excellent communication skills to undertake this specialist role. You will work as a core and valued member of the Paediatric Eating Disorders acute multi disciplinary team which covers the areas of Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR).

You will be the point of liaison for planning in regards to refeeding and nutritional stabilisation alongside the named Consultant.

The postholder will also provide CAMHS liaison and facilitation of admission, discharge, repatriatriation and other specialist placement.

You will be part of a highly regarded and friendly paediatric and neonatal dietetic team which is currently going through a period of expansion due to additional investment. The team is supported by a dedicated Paediatric Dietetic Assistant and a Dietetic Team Leader.

Working for our organisation

Our new strategy, developed with the support and feedback of colleagues, patients, and partners, is our compass for the next seven years (2023-2030).

We have four primary goals:

• high-quality care for all,
• being a great place to work,
• partnerships for impact, and
• research and education excellence

And we will embed health equality in all we do - taking active steps to reduce the avoidable differences in healthcare that some people face, working in partnership with communities.

Our strategy is underpinned by new values and we will work to ensure they are an everyday reality for all:

• we are compassionate,
• we are proud,
• we are inclusive, and
• we are one team

This is an exciting moment as we look to the future with clarity on what we already do well and where we need to focus our energies to make an even bigger difference for the people we serve.

About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust:

http://www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/work-for-us/current-vacancies/

• To provide an effective, evidence based proactive nutrition and dietetic input into children admitted with eating disorders.
• The post holder will use advanced skills to support/inform the Paediatric acute ED multi professional team in the decision process, on emotive subjects such as the ethical decisions whether to provide nutrition and diet care and the risk/benefits within a legal context.
• To contribute to the process of statutory assessments for children with complex needs as required.
• To undertake needs assessment in order to plan, deliver and evaluate intervention programmes to support motivation in patients/groups to facilitate dietary change eg patient support group events.
• To assist the Clinical Speciality Lead for Women’s and Children’s in the strategic development of Women’s and Children’s Dietetic and Nutrition Service.

Person specification

Qualifications

• A four year Undergraduate or Post Graduate Degree in Nutrition & Dietetics or similar non-UK qualification
• HCPC Registration
• Completion of a Clinical Teaching Skills Course.
• Masters level qualification or post-graduate training in advanced dietetic practice.

• Completion of an Advanced Clinical Supervisory Skills Course

Experience

• Dietetic experience in a varied dietetic environment
• Dietetic experience in the specialist field of paediatric eating disorders
• Has developed expert practice in paediatric dietetics to include different ways of caseload management and delivering services.
• Can demonstrate evidence of continued professional development (eg. keeps a professional portfolio, professional involvement in clinical research).
• Is able to demonstrate ability to initiate and complete quality improvement projects leading to improved patient care
• Previous involvement with the pre-registration practice training for Dietitians
• Has good knowledge of national strategies and clinical evidence related to paediatric Eating Disorders
• Can demonstrate the required competency in the post. Is able to maintain competency to practice as an expert dietetic practitioner in paediatrics.
• Has good knowledge of national strategies and clinical evidence related to paediatric Eating Disorders.

• Previous experience of line management or co-ordination of clinical supervision or providing coaching / mentoring role.

Communication

• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Evidence of leadership skills
• Has a good understanding of team work and how this can be used to improve patient care and able to provide examples of own experience in this.
• Can give examples of ability to liaise with professionals at all levels and can demonstrate a role in influencing multi-professional practice.
• Is aware of the different communication needs within a culturally diverse community and how this may impact on both own professional practice and others
• Is able to use different techniques for motivating individuals and groups to make behavioural change and can provide examples of this

• Has undertaken post-registration training in behavioural change and motivational interviewing.

Planning, Analytical & Organisational Skills

• Has a vision for new ways of working and healthcare delivery related to paediatrics and paediatric eating disorders including evidence of change management skills.
• Is able to support and take a key role in the professional development of others.
• Has worked independently and used a high level of initiative
• Can give examples of quality initiatives to improve patient care and identify own involvement and role in specific initiatives
• Working knowledge of local and national clinical and professional policies, guidelines and procedures

Additional Information

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.

Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.

UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.

The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.

The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.

COVID 19 Risk Assessment

Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.

The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.

If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.

Covid Vaccination Status

Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.

We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.