Overview
This post would suit someone with an enthusiasm for nutritional knowledge of special diets and food safety. An opportunity for a Dietetic Practice Assistant has arisen to join the Nutrition and Dietetic Service at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust in East and North Hertfordshire. This post will work directly with the band 5 Dietitian in the Enhanced Nutrition Service. This is a very rewarding role, helping the staff in care homes develop their knowledge and skills to help their residents.
Responsibilities
* Deliver a set training programme on the identification of malnutrition risk and the use of food-based fortification for its treatment.
* Support the dietitians with completion of audit data onto established software packages.
* Support the dietitians in reviewing patients who have an agreed care plan for the treatment of malnutrition.
* Participate in placement experience for student dietitians.
* Represent Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust by delivering care home audits and education in designated care homes; collect agreed audit information, assess gaps identified, and deliver tailored education sessions to care home staff.
* Provide leave cover for other members of the dietetic team as required, in line with competencies.
Requirements
* Permanent post, part-time, working Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 09:00-16:30.
* Full valid driving licence and access to a car to use regularly for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
* Electronic records are used throughout the Trust; hybrid working is possible where appropriate.
Benefits and Working Context
* 27 days holiday rising to 33 (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro rata).
* One of the UK’s best pension schemes.
* NHS Discounts.
* The role includes care home audits and education in designated care homes, representing Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust; liaising with care homes to schedule education delivery (primarily face-to-face, with some remote formats such as MS Teams).
* Part of the broader HCT Nutrition and Dietetic Service (Hertfordshire-wide); collaboration with ICS Nutrition group and ICB colleagues on food-based initiatives.
* Collegial team with Band 5 ICT Dietitian and over 10 staff at bands 4 and 5; commitment to CPD, training, appraisal, and supervision. Electronic records support work across settings and hybrid arrangements.
* Commitment to high-quality service, diversity, and inclusive recruitment.
* Note: Vacancy may close before the advertised closing date if there is high interest; please apply promptly.
Additional Information
You can apply for Access to Work to obtain support for communication at interviews: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-communication-support-at-a-job-interview-if-you-have-a-disability-or-health-condition-access-to-work. Applications should be submitted before the interview date.
Job Description
* To work within designated care homes, representing Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, collecting agreed audit information, assessing gaps identified, and delivering tailored education sessions to all care home staff.
* To work as part of the Enhanced Nutrition Service and the Intermediate Care Dietetic team to provide an agreed education programme for the assessment and management of malnutrition using a ‘Real Food’ approach, aimed at all staff working with residents living in designated care homes in East and North Hertfordshire.
Duty to liaise with care homes to agree education delivery times; primarily face-to-face with some remote formats (e.g., MS Teams). The post holder may provide cover when other team members are absent, in line with competencies and an agreed plan.
Expiry information: This vacancy advert closes on Sunday 21 Sep 2025.
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