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Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust celebrates diversity and promotes equal opportunities; we are committed to challenging and eliminating racism and other forms of discrimination and advancing and promoting equality of opportunity in the provision of services and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
We take positive action to support disadvantaged groups and particularly encourage applications from ethnic minorities, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ people who are under-represented in our workforce. We also welcome applications from reservists and ex-armed forces personnel, recognizing the benefits of their skills, training, and experience. We encourage all applicants to share their equality information with us.
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Job overview
• To collaborate with the Catering and Dietetic Teams as the Trust Lead Catering Dietitian.
• To work with front-line catering teams, catering managers, Dietitians, Speech and Language Therapists, Pharmacists, Nursing teams, and other stakeholders to ensure the Trust offers a variety of hospital menus, including therapeutic, religious, and cultural diets.
• To serve as an expert in analyzing, developing, and reviewing hospital menus.
• Ensure all hospital menus are nutritionally adequate, align with best practice guidelines, include allergen information, and adhere to IDDSI standards.
• To collaborate with patients, catering, Dietetics, and Speech and Language Therapy to deliver education and training in nutrition.
• To represent dietetics and catering at various Trust committees and audits.
• Provide specialized Dietetic assessment, treatment, and management in one or more Dietetics specialties as needed.
• Act as a resource for Dietetics practice regionally and nationally.
Main duties of the job
• Maintain current knowledge and competence, demonstrating critical thinking and decision-making.
• Train students and healthcare professionals, and present at conferences.
• Foster an environment of learning and practice development.
• Train catering and other staff in nutrition roles.
• Support clinical supervision and mentorship of junior staff and students.
• Manage patient records and contribute to the development of educational materials.
Working for our organisation
Mersey Care serves over 1.4 million people across the North West, offering a range of physical and mental health services, including high secure mental health facilities.
Our core commitment is to 'perfect care'—safe, effective, timely, equitable, and efficient. We support staff development and service improvement initiatives.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
• Represent dietetics and catering at various Trust meetings and audits.
• Provide expert Dietetic assessments and management in specialized areas.
• Lead on implementing national and local policies, including hospital food standards and nutrition strategies.
• Contribute to research, audits, and policy development.
• Experience in physical health, mental health, and learning disabilities is desirable.
Person specification
Qualifications
* HCPC Registered Dietitian
* Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant area
* Degree in Dietetics or related Science/Nutrition plus postgraduate diploma
* Clinical Supervisory Skills Course or Teaching Certificate
* Basic Allergen Certificate
* Level 3 Food Hygiene Certificate
* Membership of British Dietetic Association
Knowledge & Experience
* Post-registration experience working with catering teams
* Continuous professional development
* Experience in specialized practice and research/publication
* Training experience for staff and students
* Experience with dietary analysis software such as Nutritics
Skills
* Interpersonal and communication skills
* Knowledge of health policy and guidelines
* Ability to work under pressure and manage priorities
* Report writing and analytical skills
* Presentation and organizational skills
* Self-motivated and committed to best practice
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Please check your email for correspondence. All application updates will come from apps.trac.jobs, not NHS Jobs.
Only applicants who clearly meet the person specification will be shortlisted.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible disabled applicants. Indicate this in your application if applicable.
For reasonable adjustments during recruitment, email recruitment@merseycare.nhs.uk.
We may close vacancies early if sufficient applications are received.
All post holders require an enhanced DBS check, and applicants must enroll in the DBS Update Service for a fee of £16/year.
Applicants requiring sponsorship should assess their eligibility on gov.uk.
Flexible working requests will be considered.
Artificial Intelligence use in applications is monitored; declare if used.
New NHS entrants start at the first pay point of the relevant band.
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Employer certification / accreditation badges
This role involves contact with vulnerable people and is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020, requiring a Disclosure to be made to the DBS.
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