Newcastle Central Primary Care Network is seeking an experienced andmotivated Dietitian to join our multidisciplinary team on a part-time basis(0.5 WTE).
This role has been redesigned to provide timely nutritional assessment andintervention for patients with urgent dietary needs who cannot wait for routinecommunity dietetic services. Working across six GP practices and alongside ourinnovative Proactive FACT Team, you will support patients at risk ofmalnutrition, frailty, unintentional weight loss, complex nutritional needs andlong-term condition management.
In addition to direct patient care, you will provide specialist advice,education and support to practice teams, helping clinicians manage nutritionalissues confidently within primary care.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape a developing service, improvepatient outcomes, reduce health inequalities and work within a supportive,forward-thinking PCN committed to integrated care.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties of the Job
* Undertake specialist nutritional assessments for patientsidentified by GP practices, the FACT Team and other PCN services.
* Prioritise patients with urgent nutritional needs where delaysto community dietetic services may negatively impact outcomes.
* Support patients with frailty, malnutrition, unintentionalweight loss, poor oral intake, long-term conditions and complex nutritionalrequirements.
* Provide dietary advice and management plans for patients intheir own homes, care homes and primary care settings.
* Deliver education, training and clinical advice to GPs,pharmacists, nursing teams and other PCN staff.
* Support the FACT Team MDT by contributing specialistnutritional expertise to patient assessments and care planning.
* Advise on the appropriate use of oral nutritional supplementsand food-first approaches.
* Support transitions of care following hospital discharge wherenutritional intervention is required.
* Develop resources, pathways and guidance to improvenutritional management across the PCN.
* Participatein audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activities to demonstrateimpact and inform future service development.
About us
Newcastle Central PCN serves over 40,000 patients across six practices and is committed to delivering proactive, preventative and patient centred care.
You will work alongside a highly supportive multidisciplinary team including GPs, pharmacists, advanced practitioners, care coordinators, social prescribers and our innovative Proactive FACT Team. The role offers flexibility, professional autonomy and the opportunity to make a tangible difference to patients who require timely nutritional support.
As a developing service, there will be opportunities to shape pathways, influence future service delivery and contribute to innovative models of integrated care across primary and community services.
Job responsibilities
The Primary Care Network Dietitian will provide specialist nutritional assessment, advice and intervention to patients across Newcastle Central PCN, with a particular focus on patients requiring timely support who would otherwise face lengthy waits for community dietetic services.
The postholder will work as an integral member of the PCN multidisciplinary team, supporting patients with frailty, malnutrition, unintentional weight loss, long-term conditions and complex nutritional needs. The role will also provide expert advice, education and support to GP practices, helping clinicians manage nutritional issues effectively within primary care.
The role will contribute to improving patient outcomes, reducing health inequalities, preventing avoidable deterioration and supporting patients to remain independent within their own homes.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
* Undertake comprehensive nutritional assessments for patients referred by GP practices, the Proactive FACT Team and other PCN services.
* Develop personalised nutrition care plans based on patient goals, clinical needs and evidence-based practice.
* Prioritise and manage patients with urgent nutritional needs where delays in accessing community services may adversely affect health outcomes.
* Support patients with:
* Frailty and sarcopenia
* Malnutrition and risk of malnutrition
* Oral nutritional supplement requirements
* Long-term conditions requiring dietary intervention
* Complex dietary requirements impacting quality of life and independence
* Deliver consultations within GP practices, patients' homes, care homes and other community settings as appropriate.
* Monitor patient progress and adjust care plans accordingly.
* Promote self-management and behaviour change through education and motivational approaches.
Support to Practices
* Act as a specialist nutritional resource for GP practices across the PCN.
* Provide advice and guidance to GPs, nurses, pharmacists, care coordinators and other healthcare professionals regarding nutritional management.
* Support appropriate prescribing and review of oral nutritional supplements.
* Develop and share nutritional pathways, protocols and patient resources.
* Deliver education and training sessions for practice teams.
* Contribute to practice-based quality improvement initiatives relating to nutrition and long-term conditions.
Multidisciplinary Team Working
* Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, including the Proactive FACT Team MDT.
* Work collaboratively with GPs, pharmacists, nurses, social prescribers, care coordinators, community services and secondary care providers.
* Contribute specialist nutritional expertise to holistic patient assessments and care planning.
* Support integrated approaches to frailty, prevention and population health management.
Service Development and Quality Improvement
* Contribute to the ongoing development of the PCN dietetic service.
* Participate in clinical audit, evaluation and quality improvement projects.
* Support collection and reporting of activity and outcome data.
* Identify opportunities to improve pathways and patient experience.
* Maintain accurate clinical records using EMIS and other digital systems.
Professional Responsibilities
* Maintain HCPC registration and professional standards.
* Undertake continuing professional development and mandatory training.
* Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and reflective practice.
* Work within professional, organisational and governance frameworks.
* Ensure safeguarding responsibilities are met and acted upon appropriately.
General Responsibilities
* Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
* Maintain patient confidentiality and information governance standards.
* Adhere to all PCN, Federation and NHS policies and procedures.
* Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role and grade.
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* Ability to build effective relationships across organisations
* Ability to work autonomously and manage workload effectively
* Strong assessment, problem-solving and decision-making skills
* Ability to prioritise competing demands
* Competent IT skills including clinical systems and Microsoft Office
* Ability to contribute positively within MDT settings
* Experience delivering group education sessions
Qualifications
* Registered with HCPC
* Evidence of continuing professional development
* Postgraduate qualification in nutrition support, frailty, diabetes or related field
* Membership of the British Dietetic Association
Experience
* Experience working as a registered Dietitian
* Experience managing patients with complex nutritional needs
* Experience undertaking nutritional assessments and developing care plans
* Experience working within multidisciplinary teams
* Experience providing advice and education to healthcare professionals
* Experience within primary care
* Experience working with frailty services
* Experience working within PCNs
* Experience supporting care homes
* Experience in service development or quality improvement
* Experience using EMIS
Personal Qualities
* Professional, compassionate and patient-focused
* Flexible and adaptable approach to work
* Motivated and proactive
* Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation
* Ability to work independently while remaining a strong team member
Knowledge
* Excellent knowledge of clinical dietetics and evidence-based nutritional management
* Knowledge of MUST assessment and food-first principles
* Understanding of malnutrition, frailty and sarcopenia
* Knowledge of oral nutritional supplements and nutrition support pathways
* Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities
* Knowledge of PCN DES requirements
* Knowledge of population health management
* Knowledge of local community pathways
Other Requirements
* Full UK driving licence and access to transport, or ability to travel across the PCN
* Ability to work across multiple sites and community settings
* Willingness to undertake ongoing training and development
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This 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.
£43,700 to £50,200 a yearPro rota dependant on experience
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