Specialist Paediatric Community and Eating Disorder Dietitian

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Paediatric Dietitian to join our Community and Eating Disorders teams on a 12-month fixed-term maternity cover contract. The post offers a varied and rewarding caseload, providing opportunities to develop expertise across community paediatrics and eating disorders while working within a collaborative multidisciplinary team. The role has been evaluated at Band 7; however, applications are welcomed from candidates with relevant experience who may not yet meet all Band 7 criteria, with appointment at Band 6 considered where appropriate.

Main duties of the job

The Specialist Paediatric Community & Eating Disorders Dietitian provides a highly specialist dietetic service to children and young people with complex nutritional needs across community and eating disorder pathways. Working within a multidisciplinary team, the postholder will assess, diagnose, and manage a varied caseload including children with complex needs, feeding difficulties, restricted eating and eating disorders.

The postholder will contribute to specialist services across Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, delivering care in outpatient clinics, community venues, schools and patients' homes as required.

As part of an integrated paediatric dietetic service, the postholder will work closely with colleagues in community paediatrics, CAMHS and specialist eating disorder services, alongside paediatricians, psychologists, nurses and allied health professionals to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.

The successful candidate will join a team of specialist paediatric dietitians within a research-active department committed to service development, quality improvement, innovation and continuing professional development.

A sound grounding in paediatric dietetics, together with excellent communication, teamwork and clinical reasoning skills, is essential. Experience working with children and young people with eating disorders is desirable.

About us

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations,operatingfrom three main sites at Southmead, Bristol citycentreand Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Job responsibilities

For a more detailed job description including the main responsibilities and person specification, please refer to the job description and person specification document attached to this vacancy.

About our Service

We are a supportive and collaborative team of specialist paediatric dietitians with a strong reputation for clinical excellence. Team members contribute to research, education, service development and professional leadership activities, creating an environment that supports learning, innovation and career development.

As a tertiary paediatric provider, UHBW offers opportunities to work alongside highly specialised teams caring for children and young people with complex and rare conditions. We have strong links with local universities and are committed to education, training and workforce development across the region.

The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues across community paediatrics, CAMHS, Sirona care & health and Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP), supporting integrated care for children, young people and their families.

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Broad experience in clinical paediatric dietetics
• Working as part of a multi-professional team
• Student training experience
• Audit experience
• Experience working with eating disorders
• Experience working with children with complex needs

Desirable

• Experience of Research and Development
• Experience with QI (quality improvement) methodologies
• Experience of Enteral Feeding

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent communication skills at all levels - Accurate and coherent written communication skills - Professional, responsive and insightful oral communication skills
• Good organisational and time management skills
• Teaching / Presentation skills in a variety of settings and to a range of audiences
• Computer skills and use of dietary analysis programs
• Leadership skills
• Behaviour change & motivational interviewing skills
• Advanced paediatric dietetic assessment skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of QI methodology

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Degree / Post graduate qualification in nutrition & / or dietetics
• HCPC registration
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• BDA Membership
• Postgraduate diploma / MSc or evidence of advanced dietetic practice
• Clinical Supervisory Skills Course (Basic)
• BDA Advanced Eating Disorders Course

Apptitudes

Essential

• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload
• Sound professional judgement
• Team player and able to maintain effective working relationships
• Resilient and adaptable
• Reflective approach to practice

Desirable

• Active/committee member of BDA Specialist Interest Group