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Job Descrption

If you are looking for a rare and exciting opportunity as a Specialist Mental Health Dietitian in a forensic mental health service, this is the position for you.

The Forensic Services based at St Bernard's Hospital on the Ealing site in London are comprised of a number of specialist areas including Women's and Men's services at both low and medium security. The post holder will join an already established Occupational Therapy and AHP service.

You will be responsible for managing the referrals and subsequent caseload of service users requiring dietetics interventions.

We have a wider Allied Health Professions service comprising of occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, activity coordinators and Recovery Support workers, Dieticians, SLT and Physiotherapists.

You will be supervised through preceptorship and supported by the Clinical Lead Dietitian to monitor the dietetic needs of the service users and promote dietetic advice and support to this specific... population.

Main duties of the job

You will carry a clinical caseload and have responsibilities to provide a range of individual and group activities that develop service user' skills and function in line with recovery principles and practice.

The post also offers an opportunity to develop both clinical and managerial skills. We would ensure that you receive the relevant training and support when you join the team as required.

We have clear clinical models and pathways for service users moving from our acute wards into rehabilitation and through into the community with occupational performance skills being central to the readiness for transition through each stage of a service user recovery.

You will be instrumental in ensuring service user's physical health is optimised and ensure they can benefit from the available treatment options.

As an AHP Service we have a strong commitment to CPD within the trust and provide a range of opportunities for staff with the expectation that learning is shared and clinical excellence is achieved. Our other AHP colleagues work very closely with us and joint work and learning is integral within the trust.

About us

Forensic services are interesting and challenging areas to develop a career in Dietetics. We have a close knit team who are very supportive and have years of experience and expertise in this clinical area.

We have a wide range of services and facilitate cross service learning, teaching and development, within the trust. We provide a range of opportunities for staff with the expectation that learning is shared and clinical excellence is achieved. We have regular AHP forums, study days and learning lessons conferences.

Our working hours are Monday to Friday 8-4pm or 9-5pm. However, we recognise the need to be flexible and support both compressed hours, full time and part time hours, depending on the role and also school hours 10 till 2pm will be considered

As part of the interview process you may be offered other available posts within the trust. We are in close contact with other Heads of profession and an interview with forensics can ensure you are also made aware of other roles within the trust.

We expect and welcome informal enquiries and particularly visits to the service prior to interview. We consider this a key part of the process of understanding forensic services.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To provide a client-centred dietetic service to a defined caseload of service users, within forensic services working with multi-disciplinary team members and the occupational therapy team.

To actively develop and implement a framework of care, which reflects a holistic approach to service user needs, the is evidence based and clinically ethical.

To work under the supervision of a Clinical Lead Dietitian, to apply clinical skills in assessment, treatment planning, intervention and evaluation, which include individual and group orientated approaches.

To contribute to the evaluation and continued development of the AHP service.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential
• Experience of working in a wide variety of dietetic practice areas whilst on student placements
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience in presenting to groups
• Experience in clinical data collection and auditing

Desirable
• Experience of working with service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities
• Experience of working in acute services on an inpatient basis
• Experience of working in a community team on an outpatient basis
• Experience of working in a Lone Worker environment in the healthcare sector

Qualifications and Training

Essential
• B.Sc. (hons.) in Dietetics or Post Graduate Diploma in Dietetics
• Current registration with HCPC

Desirable
• Participation in Preceptorship Programme and/or Competency Framework
• British Dietetic Association course in Mental Health or similar
• British Dietetic Association course in Diabetes or similar

Other Requirements

Essential
• Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need.
• This post is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.

Knowledge

Essential
• Understanding of the various Nutritional Assessment Tools
• Basic knowledge of anthropometric measurements and biochemical interpretation
• Understanding of Nutrition Support and the clinical guidelines surrounding it
• Understanding of Refeeding Syndrome and the clinical guidelines surrounding it
• Understanding of Metabolic Syndrome and the clinical guidelines surrounding it
• Ability to formulate safe and meaningful nutrition care plans
• Able to plan and facilitate 1:1 intervention sessions with service users
• Able to plan and facilitate group education sessions for staff and service users
• Knowledge in clinical report writing in accordance with the professional code of practice

Desirable
• Understanding of the Mental Health medication and its nutritional impact
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act & Mental Capacity Act, and their application in practice
• Understanding of the Health and Safety legislation and its application in practice
• Understanding of the Clinical Risk Assessment and Management and its application in practice
• Understanding of the Safeguarding and its application in practice
• Understanding of the needs of individuals from diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds
• Able to deliver Clinical Supervision to junior staff
• Knowledge in supervising students and helping them achieve set educational goals

Personal Qualities

Essential
• Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team
• Able to use own initiative and make decisions independently
• Able to manage own caseload and prioritise effectively
• Able to work in accordance with the lone worker
• Able to work flexibly and co-operatively as part of a team
• Able to delegate tasks to team members in an appropriate and empathetic manner

Desirable
• Able to work in accordance with the Staff Conduct and Trust Values and Behaviours.
• Compassionate in meeting the needs of vulnerable people and their families and carers
• Able to engage with vulnerable people and work effectively in distressing and challenging circumstances
• Communicate complex and sensitive information in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation
• Good observational skills and ability to describe such observations verbally and in writing
• Able to apply latest research evidence and critical thinking in practice
• Committed to continual quality and service improvement
• Committed to promoting a positive image of people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities
• Committed to promoting a positive image of the Dietetic Service.
• Self-aware and committed to professional and personal development.
• Able to reflect and critically appraise own performance and accept and respond positively to feedback from supervision

Employer details

Employer name

West London NHS Trust

Address

St. Bernard's

SOUTHALL

UB1 3EU

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

222-SF-481

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