Clinical Specialist Practitioner Nutrition and Hydration
The closing date is 15 May 2026
We are delighted to advertise the opportunity to undertake a 12‑month secondment/fixed‑term Specialist Practitioner Nutrition and Hydration Nurse. The postholder will support the implementation of the MCHFT Nutrition and Hydration 2025‑2027 strategy, lead quality improvement initiatives and work closely with Dietitians, Nurses, Doctors and Speech & Language Therapists across hospital and community settings.
Main duties of the job
- Lead and support the multi‑professional management of patients with enteral and parenteral nutritional needs, providing clinical leadership and expert advice across the service and primary care.
- Develop, deliver, and evaluate high‑quality nutritional and hydration care, ensuring it is incorporated within the Business Group and Trust objectives.
- Plan and develop clinical protocols for enteral and parenteral nutritional care and coordinate patient care pathways across organisational boundaries.
- Provide clinical advice and support to healthcare professionals and maintain accurate patient records.
- Participate in Nutritional MDTs with consultants, Dietitians, SALT and Nurses to discuss complex case management and promote the use of Nutritional Champions across all services.
- Ensure governance of nutrition and hydration care, developing local policies, protocols and SOPs in line with local and national standards.
Job responsibilities
Role Summary
- Undertake specialist clinical assessment, diagnosis and treatment for adult patients with enteral and parenteral nutritional needs.
- Support multi‑professional management of patients, enabling patient choice and involvement while initiating appropriate action.
- Coordinate and develop patient care pathways, liaising across organisational boundaries, and ensuring investigations and treatments are organised in a timely manner.
- Provide clinical advice in accordance with current evidence‑based practice and participate in case conferences related to future management or discharge arrangements.
- Maintain accurate patient records and ensure all relevant information is documented in the patient’s medical and nursing records.
- Participate in MDTs with consultants and specialist registrars to discuss complex case management.
Governance
- Be a member of relevant professional associations and attend/present at regional/national meetings.
- Identify personal learning needs and pursue a personal development plan.
- Maintain practice within professional guidelines and Trust policies.
- Evaluate professional performance and identify implications for practice.
- Promote safety, wellbeing and interests of patients, staff and visitors.
- Take action if practice appears to contravene policy or patient care is at risk.
- Manage own caseload and coordinate patient journey across business groups and organisational boundaries.
- Supervise staff and act as a mentor to pre‑ and post‑registration nurses.
- Assist with recruitment and initialisation of new staff.
- Ensure a healthy, safe and secure working environment and comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
Education / Learning
- Lead the development, planning and delivery of specialist educational and training programmes for healthcare professionals, patients and carers.
- Provide clinical supervision and mentorship to junior or new clinical nurse specialists/practitioners/nurses/medical staff.
- Maintain own professional development through training and participation in evidence‑based activities.
- Update evidence‑based knowledge and skills and complete mandatory training requirements for the Trust.
- Support junior staff in undertaking audit and research within the specialist field.
- Undertake health promotion activities across organisational boundaries.
Research
- Lead clinical audit and development of knowledge within the specialist area, ensuring dissemination of relevant research and best practice.
- Support and advise junior staff in audit and research.
- Review national guidance and develop governance processes to demonstrate assurance of quality nutrition and hydration care.
Continuous Improvement
- Apply Improvement Matters to support a culture of continuous improvement and encourage innovation across the Trust.
- Model behaviours of an improver: curiosity, humility, compassion, effective practice, open‑mindedness, self‑discipline.
- Coach and enable others to implement improvements using Improvement Matters.
Person Specification
- NMC registered.
- Understanding of Improvement Matters.
Experience
- Working with patients with complex nutritional needs.
- Experience within a nutritional MDT.
- Post‑registration study in nutrition and hydration care.
- Evidence of quality improvement around nutrition and hydration care.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Salary
£49,387 to £56,515 a year (pro rata)
