Dietitians Assistant Practitioner
Band 4 Dietitians Assistant Practitioner, 37.5 hours, 12‑month fixed term or secondment.
This post is integral to the dietitians team at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester. You will support the registered dietitians across acute in‑patients, paediatrics, diabetes, bariatrics and community settings, providing a quality dietetic service to patients in their own homes.
Key duties include reviewing patients face‑to‑face and by telephone, delivering delegated dietetic care under a dietitian’s supervision, and maintaining accurate health records to support dietetic treatment plans.
You will also provide non‑clinical support such as maintaining department resources, data entry, and general administrative tasks. Covering the workload of other dietetic support workers (e.g. during leave) and contributing to MDT working, projects, meetings, service developments, audits, research and training other health professionals are part of the role.
Commissioning to a secondment requires prior agreement from your current NHS Trust or UHSussex. If you cannot secure this approval you may apply as a fixed‑term position.
Main duties of the job
* Assist dietitians in patient review, face‑to‑face and by telephone.
* Deliver delegated dietetic care within an agreed scope of practice under supervision.
* Provide non‑clinical support: maintain department resources, data input, general admin duties.
* Cover workload of other dietetic support workers during leave.
* Support dietitians in MDT work, projects, meetings, service developments, audits and research.
Candidate Pack
Job responsibilities
* Communications and Relationship skills – work as a member of the dietitians and multidisciplinary team, ensuring effective verbal and written communication. Speak face‑to‑face and by telephone to patients and health professionals, present to patient groups, document all interventions accurately, liaise with other departments, encourage patients to follow treatment plans, and attend relevant meetings.
* Analytical and Judgemental skills – undertake basic nutritional screening, analyse recipes and diet diaries using the dietary analysis computer package, collect data for monitoring services, audits, and surveys, input data into spreadsheets, and assess patients’ responses to treatment plans.
-- Please see Job Description and Person Specs for further information --
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Training to diploma or equivalent NVQ Level 3 plus A levels.
* Good level of education – at least 4 GCSEs (C grade or above or equivalent), including English and Maths.
Knowledge and Skills
* Experience working in a team and independently.
* Awareness of disability and social issues and their impact on nutrition.
* Experience as a dietetic assistant and dealing with nutrition‑related issues in a caring healthcare environment.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to record feedback concisely.
* Experience working with adults in a caring capacity.
Analytical and Judgemental
* Identify and analyse problems, offer solutions clearly.
* Assess, evaluate and report patient responses to prescribed treatment plans.
Planning and Organisational
* Manage own time, prioritise tasks, meet deadlines.
* Work independently on delegated patient activities.
* Proficient computer skills, including data entry.
* Aware of own limitations and work within them.
* Team worker, organised, attentive to detail, willing to work flexible hours.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Demonstrated development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
* Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required.
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
£28,392 to £31,157 a year, pro rata
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full‑time, Part‑time, Job share, Flexible working
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