This is an exciting new opportunity for an enthusiastic, self‑motivated Dietetic Assistant Practitioner to support across the clinical areas of diabetes.
This role offers the chance to become a key part of a dynamic, patient‑centred diabetes service, supporting people living with type 2 diabetes to improve their health, confidence, and long‑term wellbeing. As a dietetic assistant practitioner, you’ll play an active role in delivering high‑quality care while working closely with an experienced team of diabetes specialist dietitians.
You’ll be at the heart of Diabetes Care for You team, supporting outpatient clinics, occasional home visits, and remote consultations via video or telephone. A major part of your work will involve delivering engaging, evidence‑based group education sessions for people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or those needing ongoing support.
Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.
Skilled Worker visa: going rates for eligible occupation codes - GOV.UK
Health and Care Worker visa: If you’ll need to meet different salary requirements - GOV.UK
Main duties of the job
Deliver inspiring diabetes education through lively group sessions and focused one‑to‑one support, helping patients build confidence, skills, and motivation to manage type 2 diabetes effectively.
Take ownership of a varied caseload, with regular support and supervision from a registered specialist dietitian.
Connect with patients across multiple settings, from busy outpatient clinics to virtual appointments and occasional home visits, ensuring everyone receives accessible, flexible support.
Keep clear, accurate clinical records, capturing progress, outcomes, and next steps, and preparing concise letters for patients and healthcare professionals.
Collaborate with a vibrant multidisciplinary team, working closely with dietitians, nurses, psychotherapists, consultants, podiatrists, and administrators to deliver seamless, joined‑up care.
Drive service improvement, contributing to audits, projects, and the creation of engaging educational materials that enhance the patient experience.
Build strong, respectful relationships with patients, adapting communication styles to meet diverse needs and ensuring every interaction feels supportive and empowering.
Maintain high professional standards, demonstrating reliability, excellent time management, and a commitment to delivering safe, effective, patient‑centred care.
About us
We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.
Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.
Why work for us?
* Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing.
* Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex.
* Flexible working options: part‑time, flexi‑time, annualised hours, and flexi‑retirement.
* Excellent training, development, and research opportunities.
* Accredited Living Wage Employer, we ensure fair pay for all our staff.
* Cost‑effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton.
* Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief network.
* Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust.
Job responsibilities
Deliver effective and evidence‑based education to patients living with type 2 diabetes, either newly diagnosed or established, providing high‑quality interventions to maintain or improve the health, independence, and quality of life of patients.
To manage and prioritise your own caseload as delegated by dietitians, which may include:
* Patients requiring individual education for type 2 diabetes.
* Follow‑up of patients living with type 2 diabetes.
* Follow‑up agreed care plans.
* Providing dietary support for patients on GLP‑1 medication.
To maintain accurate electronic patient records in line with the Trust and organisation standards.
Under the supervision of the dietitian, to review patients and highlight those requiring additional support following initial education.
To provide in‑person, video and telephone consultations for patients in clinics and home settings.
To support the dietitians with audit and project work as required.
To form professional relationships with patients and their relatives/carers, communicating with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
To evaluate treatments to measure progress and set up reviews where required.
Main responsibilities
To comply with the national and local professional Standards of Practice and Codes of Conduct relating to Dietetics and Dietetic Assistants.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills to manage a caseload, evidencing problem solving and clinical reasoning skills.
To effectively prioritise clinical needs to provide an efficient and effective service.
To work in an outpatient clinical setting, supporting clinics as well as delivering group education sessions to patients.
To work as part of the MDT and regularly communicate with colleagues from multiple health‑care professionals.
Keep records of education and consultations provided to patients and write letters to patients and health‑care professionals detailing outcomes.
Attend regular MDT meetings.
To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
To assist in the development of education leaflets, teaching materials and other dietetic literature as required.
Person Specification
Qualifications and/or professional registration
* Educated to GCSE level or equivalent.
* Able to demonstrate competence in maths and English.
* Undergraduate Diploma or equivalent appropriate qualification and experience e.g. Foundation Degree, HNC or (NVQ) vocational qualification level three or equivalent plus short courses or completion of competency workbook.
Experience
* Comprehensive experience working in an area relevant to Dietetics.
* Experience of working as part of a team.
* Demonstrates interest in nutrition.
* Experience of working with relevant patient group.
* In‑depth understanding of nutrition and its importance.
* Experience of preparing/presenting teaching sessions.
* Experience of working in a clinical environment.
* Awareness of local needs, e.g. ethnic minority and low income groups.
Skills and knowledge
* Have a good understanding of Type 2 diabetes and the nutritional guidance to support these patients.
* Good written and verbal communication skills – able to deal with complex, sensitive issues on a one‑to‑one basis, in group settings and via interpreters.
* Organisational skills.
* Time management.
* Able to take responsibility under guidance.
* Able to use initiative.
* Demonstrates an ability to take a comprehensive case history and highlight nutritional needs.
Other requirements
* Hold a UK driving licence.
* Have access to a vehicle for work purposes.
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.
£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum pro rata.
This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.
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