Job summaryThe Mental Health Nutrition and Dietetics Department is made up of recognised experts in nutrition and diet therapy to serve our diverse local communities for those with mental health problems. We work to promote health and well being through good nutrition on an individual, community and population level using up to date evidence based principles.The Specialist Dietitian for Mental Health is responsible for the provision of a highly specialist dietetic service for patients within NLFS (North London Forensic Service). The post holder manages a complex and diverse workload in the hospital and is responsible for clinical decisions in uni- and multi-disciplinary settings.They will utilise an extensive and highly specialist knowledge within this specialist dietetic field and demonstrate the application of a wide range of behavioural skills in the one to one and group context. They are an essential member of the Nutrition and Dietetics team.Main duties of the jobTo be responsible for the development and provision & evaluation of a comprehensive and effective, evidence based dietetic service in specialist areaTo work as an autonomous practitioner. This includes working closely with patients, carers and other members of the multidisciplinary team in both the primary and secondary settingTo undertake detailed dietetic assessments (some highly complex in specialty area) to include: calculation of nutritional requirements, formulation of nutritional goals based on the interpretation of biochemical, anthropometric, physiological and psychosocial parameters.To actively participate in health promotion activities as required for the specialist area and oversee the provision a health promotion/ public health activities/ projects appropriate to the needs of the local community and in support of the Trust's health improvement prioritiesAbout usNorth Middlesex University Hospital NHS Hospital Trust (NMUH) is one of London's busiest healthcare providers, providing hospital care and community services for the 350,000 people living in Enfield, Haringey and beyond.Our specialist services include HIV, cardiology, blood disorders, diabetes, fertility, sickle cell and thalassemia. In addition to a full range of cancer diagnosis and treatment services, the Helen Rollason Cancer Support Centre is based on-site and provides services to support cancer patients' wellbeing.We also provide community services and have a dedicated 0-19 service for children and young people in Enfield so that they can get the best possible start in life. This includes health visitors and school nurses who are delivering the national Healthy Child Programme, which provides a structured framework for the delivery of key interventions to support the health and wellbeing of children and families from 0 to 5 and school aged children from 5-19. The 0-19 service aims to improve pathways and partnerships with services in the hospital and deliver excellent care for the children and families.For more information, please access the following link: https://www.northmid.nhs.uk/Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesTo be the clinical expert in your specialist field within the community settingTo be responsible for the development and provision & evaluation of a comprehensive and effective, evidence based dietetic service in specialist areaTo have a working knowledge of national & best practice guidelinesTo work as an autonomous practitioner. This includes working closely with patients, carers and other members of the multidisciplinary team in both the primary and secondary settingTo undertake detailed dietetic assessments (some highly complex in specialty area) to include: calculation of nutritional requirements, formulation of nutritional goals based on the interpretation of biochemical, anthropometric, physiological and psychosocial parameters.To monitor and change treatment plans based on new evidenceTo provide highly complex nutritional counselling and behavioural therapies to patients where there are significant barriers to changeTo demonstrate clinical effectiveness using evidence-based outcomes and to be able to deliver safe clinical outcomes where there is conflicting information or expert opinion differsTo use specialised dietary analysis computer package/s to evaluate the nutritional composition of the patients/ clients dietTo make recommendations to the medical team/ GP on the prescription of nutritional supplements and products for patients requiring nutritional support and therapeutic dietsTo work with prescribing advisors as requiredRequired to accurately use anthropometrical equipment on a regular basis for dietetic assessment and research e.g. callipersTo organise, implement and evaluate group education sessions for different client groups e.g. clients, healthcare professionalsTo actively participate in general health promotion, in line with government policies and local priorities, liaising closely with the public health departmentsTo actively participate in health promotion activities as required for the specialist area and oversee the provision a health promotion/ public health activities/ projects appropriate to the needs of the local community and in support of the Trust's health improvement prioritiesTo be responsible for the operational departmental standards and policies within your specialist area.To undertake audit work within the community setting to improve clinical care;To maintain accurate client records and activity statistics in accordance with departmental & Trust policies and proceduresTo ensure that targets & outcomes are set and met in line with trust and departmental objectives and contractual requirementsTo carry out good office practice in accordance with the departments policies and proceduresTo work as a team member in Nutrition and Dietetics team, which may involve providing leave cover and any other duties commensurate with the post, as requested by the Service Manager for Nutrition and DieteticsTo provide management and clinical supervision to the mental health dietitiansCommunicationWith PatientsTo communicate highly complex medical and nutritional information to patients, carers and healthcare professionals in a clear and easy to understand manner.To effectively engage with patients to help them understand, accept and overcome difficult diagnoses and complex dietary changes.To communicate sensitively and effectively with patients and carers particularly where there are significant barriers to understanding such as mental illness, hearing/ sight impairment, cognitive impairment, behavioural problems, dementia etc.To negotiate patient care plans with patients and carers, overcoming barriers to change & using persuasion and motivational interviewing techniques to achieve client compliance. Post-graduate training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is required.Person SpecificationEducation and qualificationEssential3 years of experience in dietetics with some experience of working in a Mental health settingBSc Dietetics QualificationHCPC registrationo A good working knowledge of the NHS system of care (trained or worked in NHS)Study to Masters level or equivalent training and experienceExperience and KnowledgeEssentialover 3 years experience with 1 year experience of working as a dietitian in mental healthHealth promotion and nutrition facilitationMulti-agency and multi-disciplinary worknutrition education and or training of professional colleagues ad patientsParticipated in audit and research and report writingManagement of junior staffDesirableExperience of working within a forensic unitExperience of student trainingskills and abilitiesEssentialAdvanced communication skills including the ability to participate in high level meetings regarding either patient care or clinical strategyfluent in written and spoken English incluidng the ability to generate letters and reports of a high calibrebasic skills in word , excel and power pointworking knowledge of government policies and local priorities for healthDesirableAdvanced word Excel and PowerPoint skillspersonal qualitiesEssentialGood time management and planning abilityFlexible approach to service provisionDesirableFluent in any other languageDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameNorth Middlesex University Hospital NHS TrustAddressChase Farm HospitalEnfieldEN2 8JLEmployer's websitehttps://www.northmid.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)