Specialist Community Learning Disabilities Dietitian

Specialist Community Learning Disabilities Dietitian

We are seeking an experienced, motivated and dynamic Band 7 Dietitian to provide high-quality specialist dietetic input to adults with learning disabilities, their families and carers in Tower Hamlets. This post covers part of the clinical workload of our substantive full-time Band 7 Dietitian, whose hours are reducing to 0.6 WTE. The successful candidate will work closely with the existing Band 7 Dietitian and wider MDT to deliver timely, evidence-based nutritional care to a complex and diverse caseload. This is a fixed-term role for 3 years (0.4 WTE), with potential for flexible working patterns.

Main duties of the job

• Manage a specialist caseload of adults with learning disabilities requiring dietetic intervention, including those with obesity, malnutrition risk, swallowing difficulties, disordered eating or complex comorbidities.
• Provide tailored dietetic advice to service users, families, carers, and care providers in a range of settings (home visits, supported living, residential and nursing placements, day services).
• Develop and deliver accessible healthy eating resources and training in collaboration with the MDT.
• Contribute to MDT meetings, joint care planning, and safeguarding processes.
• Promote health equality and facilitate access to mainstream dietetic services where appropriate.
• Record and evaluate interventions using evidence-based outcome measures.

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.

You will be part of a supportive, skilled and multi-disciplinary service comprising community nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, speech and language therapists, and social workers. The Tower Hamlets CLDS works closely with mainstream and acute services to promote inclusion and improve health outcomes for adults with learning disabilities. ELFT is a Outstanding-rated Trust with a strong reputation for Quality Improvement and professional development. You will have access to peer supervision across the Trust's dietetic network, as well as regular clinical supervision from the Professional Development Lead Dietitian.

Job responsibilities

Provide comprehensive nutritional assessment and treatment planning, including anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary analysis.

Deliver specialist weight management, nutrition support, dysphagia-related dietary modification, and interventions for complex eating behaviours.

Liaise effectively with GPs, acute trusts, community teams and other health and social care providers.

Lead the development of easy-read resources and culturally appropriate dietary materials.

Provide education and training for carers, families, and professionals on diet and nutrition for people with learning disabilities.

Participate in service development, audit, and quality improvement projects.

Uphold HCPC and BDA professional standards, Trust policies, safeguarding requirements, and equality and diversity principles.

Person Specification Education/ Qualification/ Training

• A four-year undergraduate first or a two year post graduate degree in Nutrition & Dietetics
• UK registered with Health Professional Council
• Member of the British Dietetic Association

Knowledge and Skills

• Minimum 3 years' experience as a Dietitian
• Experience of working within the community setting
• Relevant broad dietetic experience as a junior dietitian across a range of clinical areas
• Experience in the provision oral nutrition support (i.e. fortification, sip feeds)
• Experience in learning disability dietetics - understanding of individual needs, communication needs, co morbidities

Experience

• Post registration training or experience in psychological approaches to patient care i.e. CBT

Other

• Is able to demonstrate a good understanding of general dietetics
• Can demonstrate excellent organisational and time management skills
• Is able to prioritise workload and is flexible in approach
• Is able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Can demonstrate different approaches to communicating, both as individuals and in groups

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

£56,276 to £63,176 a year per annum pro rata Inc HCAs