An exciting opportunity has arisen at the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust, North Middlesex Hospital (NMUH) site . We are looking for a newly qualified, enthusiastic Band 5 dietitian to join our friendly and dynamic team at the NMUH. You will provide a service as per rotation allocation to, general medicine, oncology, surgical, or a combination of these. You will be supported in developing your skills and knowledge with relevant competencies and supervision. We are the first Nutrition & Dietetic Department in London to commence seven day services, and you will be required to work week-ends as part of the department rota. The Dietetic Department is part of the Therapies group at NMUH. You will work with MDT members and have good communication skills. You will undertake teaching/training of other health professionals. You will have the opportunity to be involved in research, audits and other service development initiatives. You will be involved in student training. The dietetic department has a robust CPD programme, and are committed to providing excellent line management, supervision/support, specialist training and other forms of continuous professional development. In order to support you in this role, you would receive training and supervision tailored to your needs.
For any queries about the post, please contact Maira Perez on 0208 887 2000 bleep 686, or mobile 0745573098 or email
[email protected].
The Dietetic department is part of the Therapies Department, providing services to inpatients and outpatients in Enfield, Haringey, and surrounding areas. The team aims to provide evidence-based clinical services, including nutritional support like enteral or parenteral feeding, conduct audits to improve care, and educate patients on dietary changes. Staff education is also a key focus, helping staff across the hospital adopt best practices. Communication with the catering team ensures nutritional requirements are met for inpatients, and multidisciplinary collaboration is emphasized. The department also ensures positive training experiences for dietetic students.
Job Summary
Provide services across 3 rotations, inpatient general medical, Oncology, and Surgery.
Participate in weekly outpatient clinics
Provide educational programs for patients and staff, and covering other areas as needed
Contribute to policies, and participating in research and audits.
Participate in a seven-day service, working weekends on a department rota
Participate in student placements
Liaise with Pharmacy, Catering and other departments to ensure a seamless service and safe discharges
Liaise with community services and external agencies to ensure safe discharges
Demonstrate Trust values
North Mid is part of Royal Free group
This is an exciting time to be working at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation one of the biggest NHS Trusts in the UK, delivering care to more than 1.6 million people a year through our three main hospitals: Barnet, Chase Farm, North Middlesex and Royal Free.
We are proud of our staff and want to ensure their training allows them to provide excellent clinical care. We are also a training unit for medical students from UCL and St George’s University Grenada, and for nursing and midwifery students from Middlesex and City Universities.
Take a tour of our hospital here
Clinical Responsibilities:
Caseload Management - To be responsible for all aspects of a caseload, which includes General Medicine, Medicine for the Elderly (MFE), Oncology, Stroke, and Surgical patients. This responsibility extends to ensuring a high standard of clinical care for the patients.
Dietetic Service - Provide services to allocated wards or clinics (General Medicine, MFE, Oncology, Stroke, Surgical) and rotate as required due to service needs. This includes assessing, treating, and providing nutritional support based on clinical evidence.
Assessment and Treatment - Conduct complex nutritional assessments, calculates nutritional requirements, and interprets medical data (e.g., biochemistry, pharmacology). Use negotiation skills to develop appropriate, realistic, and evidence-based care plans, including decisions regarding artificial nutritional support.
Nutritional Support Decisions - The role involves analyzing options for artificial nutritional support, and making decisions about initiation and withdrawal based on clinical evidence, patient needs, and ethical considerations.
Communication - To liaise with multidisciplinary teams (MDT) to ensure patients are treated effectively and discharged safely with proper nutrition support plans. This includes discussing issues such as ethical dilemmas related to nutritional support withdrawal.
Specialist Equipment Use : To use specialized equipment for assessing nutritional status, such as bioelectrical impedance, callipers, and hand grip dynamometers, interpreting results and adjusting treatment plans as necessary.
Discharge and Follow-Up : Responsibility for ensuring safe discharge planning for patients requiring artificial nutrition support, liaising with community dietitians, and organizing necessary training and product supply.
Seven-Day Service : To participate in a seven-day service, working weekends on a rota basis.
Catering Liaison : To work with catering staff to ensure the provision of appropriate meals for patients with specific dietary needs, including those with dysphagia, in consultation with speech and language therapists.
Social Issues : Refer patients to external agencies such as social services or housing support when complex social issues related to nutrition arise
Nutrition Team Contribution : Contribute to the nutrition team ward rounds, offering advice on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) and other artificial nutritional support, ensuring safe and appropriate treatment for patients.
Research and Audit : To engage in research and audit activities to improve the dietetic service and report findings within the Trust.
Communication Skills:
Patient Interaction : Communicate effectively with patients and carers, especially in complex and emotional situations, using reassurance and motivational skills where necessary.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Collaboration : Provide advice and guidance to the MDT, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, making recommendations on appropriate treatments and addressing ethical dilemmas related to nutritional support.
Sensitive Information : The role requires handling sensitive and contentious information, such as decisions about withdrawal of nutritional support, and effectively communicating with patients and families during difficult situations.
Community Liaison : Collaborate with community teams for outpatient nutrition management, providing education and support to clinicians, patients, and carers.
Dietetic Counselling : To provide counselling to patients and carers to help them meet dietary and medical goals, especially when facing complex barriers to change.
Emergency Cover : To provide cover for colleagues during periods of absence or staff shortages, ensuring continuity of care for patients.
Educational Responsibilities:
Patient Education : To educate patients, especially those with significant barriers to understanding, about their complex dietary needs. This may involve one-on-one education or group sessions including cardiac rehabilitation sessions .
Student Dietitian Training : To contribute to the training of student dietitians, including planning placements, supervising students, and assessing their progress.
Educational Programs : To contribute to the development and delivery of educational programs and training for healthcare staff such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, therapists.
Trust Events : The dietitian participates in trust-wide events such as Nutrition Week and Dietitians Week, supporting both patients and staff in nutrition-related activities.
Financial Responsibilities:
Stock Control : The dietitian is responsible for ordering and maintaining stock levels of specialist nutritional products for their areas of care.
Equipment Management : The dietitian ensures the proper use and maintenance of specialized equipment, such as enteral and parenteral pumps, and ensures the security and safe use of this equipment.
Purchasing : The role involves following guidance on purchasing low-cost resources and ensuring efficient use of resources within the department.
General Duties:
Documentation : Maintain accurate records of all patient interactions in accordance with professional and Trust guidelines.
Confidentiality : Maintaining confidentiality of patient information is essential, in line with Trust policies and professional standards.
Professional Development : Participate in continuing professional development (CPD) and maintain a CPD portfolio, ensuring they keep up to date with nutrition and dietetic practices.
Compliance : Comply with all Trust policies, including Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, and record-keeping standards, while ensuring patients' informed consent before dietetic intervention.
Teamwork : As part of the Dietetic Department Team, participate in staff meetings, departmental developments, and contribute to overall service delivery.
Additional Duties : Undertake other duties appropriate to the role, responding to service needs and requests from the Head of Nutrition & Dietetics.
This summary outlines the extensive scope of the dietitian's responsibilities, spanning clinical care, team collaboration, education, communication, and administrative duties. The position requires strong professional skills, including the ability to manage complex clinical cases, handle sensitive issues, collaborate with diverse healthcare teams, and contribute to service development and improvement.
