Specialist Weight Management Dietitian, Band 6
The closing date is 15 April 2026
We are seeking an experienced, compassionate and motivated dietitian with an understanding of specialist weight management services (Tier 3) and working with patients living with obesity. The post holder will join our team for a full‑time fixed‑term role to cover maternity leave. You will join an established and experienced team of dietitians, clinical psychologists, specialist nursing and medical doctors. Our team is dedicated to high quality, compassionate obesity care.
The post holder will support the delivery of specialist dietetic care to individuals living with obesity from initial assessment through to treatment, including the wrap‑around care of patients using GLP‑1 weight loss medications and supporting patients for onward referral to the bariatric surgery service. Flexible working opportunities exist with hybrid models for providing care for individual and group work, helping to support you with work‑life balance.
Main duties of the job
* Work autonomously providing specialist dietetic knowledge based on clinical evidence for a defined clinical caseload of patients, with a range of clinical conditions associated with obesity. Planning dietetic care with patients who have complex medical, nutritional and psychological needs.
* Support patients to achieve a nutritionally adequate dietary intake, by negotiating treatment, formulating and implementing a safe nutritional treatment plan and adjusting care to facilitate achievement of required goals.
* Undertake detailed assessment of patients and plan dietary care by: investigating and obtaining patient information, interpreting highly complex and sensitive medical and social information, requesting and interpreting biochemistry, anthropometry and other physical parameters.
* Use advanced communication, behaviour change skills and psychologically informed motivational techniques to enable individuals to make the necessary life‑long changes to their diet and lifestyle and overcome barriers to dietary and lifestyle changes.
* Support patients with expert dietetic knowledge as part of MDT initiation and treatment with GLP‑1 weight loss medications.
* Develop knowledge and skills to identify and support patients considering referral to the Tier 4 bariatric surgery team based within the hospital trust.
About us
We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.
With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.
As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on‑site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.
Job responsibilities
* Provide education and information to patients and/or carers appropriately to support patients to achieve change.
* Communicate highly complex information in a manner that is culturally sensitive and adaptive to communication difficulties, language barriers, cognitive and physical abilities.
* Provide highly specialist dietetic advice to the relevant multidisciplinary team members through the attendance and participation of multidisciplinary team meetings, ward rounds and case conferences when required.
* Develop and maintain a high level of clinical knowledge in dietetics, through clinical supervision, in‑service training, external courses and reflective practice in line with Continual Professional Development.
* Request the prescription and modification of nutritional supplements and medications based on the patient’s nutritional status and dietary needs.
* Advise on prescription changes for the management of patients based on the interpretation of complex biochemical markers and diet.
* Manage appropriately distressing and difficult situations involving the treatment of complex patient groups, which may result in exposure to complex situations and distressed patients and relatives.
* Work with patients individually and in group settings both in person and remotely using skilled communication, behaviour change and motivational techniques to support patients navigate change and barriers to change to support health, weight and wellbeing.
* Provide training for both the department and the wider Trust. Support planning the program, supervising and assessing dietetic students within this area.
* Work with the weight management team on audit projects within the service.
* Maintain clear and accurate patient records in the department record card and electronic patient notes, including writing letters to outside medical referrers, in line with department and trust policies.
* Collect accurate patient information and statistics as per department standards.
* Lead on the training of dietitians and the multidisciplinary team in dietetic care for patients living with obesity.
* Develop and maintain evidence‑based educational material for patients living with obesity and for staff supporting individuals living with obesity.
* Contribute to the operational and strategic planning for the specialist service within the trust by providing specialist knowledge, interpreting and implementing guidelines such as NICE and National Service Framework.
* Mentor and support junior team members and supervise student dietitians for up to 12 weeks per year.
* Assist with clinical audits, nutritional projects and research within the Specialist Weight Management Service (SWMS) and wider Nutrition and Dietetic Services and lead in areas related to obesity patient care.
* Assist in data collection and analysis, produce reports and summaries related to obesity patient care.
Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
* Registered with HCPC
* Member of British Dietetic Association
* Appropriate post‑registration experience of working within NHS weight management
* Demonstrate specialist clinical knowledge in obesity and weight management
* Experience of delivering care individually and in group settings in person and remotely
* Excellent interpersonal skills including observation, listening, caring and empathy skills and can relate well to staff and patients.
* Demonstrate ability to assess individuals with complex medical and psychological presentation and to plan their dietetic care within a multi‑disciplinary setting
* Evidence of continued CPD, including evidence of reflective practice, service evaluation and utilisation of best practice
* Demonstrate specialist clinical knowledge of GLP‑1 weight loss medications
* Attendance on relevant accredited courses in weight management and chronic disease including Type 2 diabetes
* Member of the British Dietetic Association Obesity Group
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.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£38,682 to £46,580 a year (pa pro rata if part‑time)
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