Specialist Dietitian- Mental Health Services for Older People

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic Registered Dietitian to join our Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) service in County Durham., We provide full dietetic assessment of needs and development of a plan of care and behaviour support plan in collaboration with service users and the MDT to achieve therapeutic goals.

We input to formulation meetings, falls management and physical health / frailty care.

In addition to the wide range of clinical duties the post holder will be involved in providing supervision to more junior members of the dietetic staff team and students within Durham Tees Valley.

There will be the opportunity to participate in audit, research activities, pathway development and ongoing training needs of the clinical teams.

About us

Your post would be part of a very well connected Care Home Liaison Hub team including Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapist, Physiotherapist, Psychologist, Physical Health Practitioner and nurses from the Community Teams.

We are supported by our Professional Head of Dietetic Services.

Within Mental Health Services for Older People speciality, we have regular team meetings to develop skills and provide peer support.

There is a supportive communication network within the team. We have a robust clinical supervision structure and you would have opportunities to receive formal and informal training.

We are keen to support your involvement in student training., Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

We are looking for a motivated experienced Dietitian wanting to expand and further develop their skills in a mental health setting within the care homes.

The post holder ideally will have experience of working in mental health. The clinical aspect of this role covers all the care home in County Durham and Darlington.

We work with people with a variety of conditions that contribute to a Behaviour that Challenges., hons.) in Dietetics or post graduate diploma in Dietetics

• Registration with HCPC


• British Dietetic Association accredited course(s) in relevant specialist area (or willing to undertake within agreed timescale)


• BDA Clinical Supervisory Skills course


• Behaviour Change Course Level 1 (or willing to undertake within an agreed timescale)


• Certificate in Food Hygiene (or willingness to undertake within agreed timescale)


• Trust training in Appraisal and Recruitment (within an agreed timescale)


• Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)


Desirable

• Member of the British Dietetic Association and relevant British Dietetic Association specialist group


• Completion of Behaviour Change Course (level 2 or 3)


• Masters modules or equivalent.


Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in Dietetics including experience working with service users in mental health or learning disabilities with complex needs


• Experience of supervising students on placement


• Day to day supervision of staff


• Experience of participation in quality improvement activities


• Experience of participation in clinical governance activities


• Experience of developing and delivering training


Skills

Essential

• Communicate complex and sensitive information in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation.


• Record keeping and report writing


• Good observational skills and ability to describe such observations verbally and in writing.


• Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of the service user group.