Specialist Dietician Learning Disability and Autism

Posting date:	10 December 2025
Salary:	£47,810.00 to £54,710.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£47810.00 - £54710.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	31 December 2025
Location:	Dawlish, EX7 0NR
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	C9369-25-0993

Summary

Duties and Responsibilities Communication and Working Relationship Skills Be a senior member of the learning disability and autism multi-disciplinary team and represent the team at regional/national meetings as appropriate. Communicate with individuals and their families who use the service, using the most appropriate verbal, written or pictorial methods, in a way that represents their views, autonomy and culture. Translate complex key nutritional health promotion messages - into language and format appropriate for the service user and other health care professionals outside the team. Lead in the preparation and planning of evidence-based diet sheets, teaching material, dietetic literature and specialist services literature. Work collaboratively with all members of the treatment team and share information with team members formally and informally e.g. clinical reviews, discharge summaries and provide professional options when necessary. Share relevant information and knowledge within the professional forum. Support and counsel highly distressed or confused individuals/family/carers around the dietary treatment plan. To have the ability to deal appropriately with daily exposure to very distressed or extremely emotional circumstances e.g. and individuals who are ambivalent about making changes, distressed parents/careers, individuals with low mood, depression or multi-impulsive behaviour Work autonomously as a specialist dietitian and manage own varied and potentially complex caseload in various specialist clinical areas. Will be required to work as a senior practitioner, will be responsible for sourcing appropriate peer and clinical supervision arrangements and ensure effective use of line management supervision. Risk assess own workload and environment and take necessary precautions to minimise risk to self and others Analytical and Judgemental Skills To undertake and oversee comprehensive or specialist mental health assessments and interventions for individuals presenting with highly complex needs. To review, analyse and report on key data relating to clinical care, interventions and outcomes. To work as an autonomous practitioner with the ability to use your own judgement to make decisions under pressure and seek support, supervision and professional leadership when needed. Planning and Organisational Skills The ability to work with others to provide a co-ordinated response to meet the needs of the individual , progress service developments and achieve outcomes as set out in action plans or team goals The ability to organise, plan and chair multi-agency meetings The ability to plan and organise own time in order to complete tasks in a timely way and prioritise clinical care appropriately Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy To act as a source of expertise on nutrition and diet therapy for individuals using the service and multi-disciplinary teams. To communicate effectively a plan of care with other health professionals e.g. care coordinators, psychologists, community psychiatric nurses, consultant psychiatrists, general practitioners. To work collaboratively with these other disciplines, ensuring delivery of a co-ordinated multidisciplinary service. This will include regular attendance at patient assessments, reviews and MDT meetings and education sessions to discuss specific patient needs and recommend dietary care plans. At times may be exposed to unpleasant working conditions such as exposure to bodily fluids and management of enteral feeding when providing support to service users requiring nutritional support in hospital settings Complete full assessments of nutritional status, using appropriate anthropometric, biochemical and medical records and identify their nutritional requirements. Devise core and specialist nutritional treatment plans e.g. re-feeding programmes, enteral feeding regimens, diabetes, weight reduction, nutritional support, food intolerances. Implement specialist group and individual treatments to achieve individual treatment goals Identify and manage the risk of re-feeding syndrome in nutritionally depleted individuals. To provide specialist dietetic expertise and advice. Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation Attend and contribute to clinical governance and quality agenda activities within the organisation. Undertake measures to meet targets for organisational key performance indicators. Lead in practice development, evaluation, audit and research activities to implement evidence-based practise. Share and disseminate research findings with professional colleagues in the interest of practice development. Ensure that own practice and that of the dietetic service are in line with NIHCE guidelines and Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources To work to the financial policies and procedures as laid down by the employer The post holder will take appropriate care of equipment entrusted to them for use. The post holder is responsible for maintaining a clear desk policy and protecting all confidential information in accordance with the organisations policies and procedures. The post holder will be required to act responsibly in terms of providing best value practice and protecting service resources. To take responsibility for any specific materials you are required to use, maintaining their general standard and ensuring that adequate supplies are maintained. Responsibility for Human Resources, e.g. Supervision, Training, HR Advice and Management To clinically supervise the work of others, specifically assistants and trainees, including contributing to the completion of appraisals and staff development. To follow and implement relevant HR Policies and guidance. To attend and deliver training, consultation and teaching as required. To participate in the Organisations appraisal process. Ensure prompt action is taken in raising issues with regard to staff performance, sickness, attendance levels and any disciplinary, capability or grievance matters. Provide supervision and support to other clinicians with the ability to demonstrate compassionate leadership, to understand and follow HR policies and procedures, ensure staff wellbeing and development and adopt a collaborative approach to engage staff with a range of skills and communication needs. To review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional supervision and annual appraisal Ensure that appropriate training courses have been undertaken and full awareness and accordance with the trusts policies. Be responsible for maintaining and demonstrating own competence, through participation in appraisal process and continued professional development within the framework of the professional portfolio. This will include membership of the British Dietetic Association specialist interest groups and local/regional interest groups. Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties To ensure the inputting of accurate and contemporaneous case notes on the relevant clinical systems in line with professional and organisational standards. To be responsible for accurate and timely inputting of data into the relevant data collection systems. To have a sound knowledge of IT and the ability to use a clinical records systems. To ensure all employers policies, procedures and guidelines are followed. To complete all statutory and mandatory training as required by the employer. To identify and manage risks through incident reporting when appropriate. To take part in and develop activities designed to improve service delivery or quality of care such as staff surveys, participation and service development. Responsibility for Research and Development To participate in and take a lead on clinical audit and research as required. Be aware of and keep up to date with advances in psychological therapies and other areas of evidence based practice. Freedom to Act To act as an autonomous professional with responsibility for a defined caseload as well as the responsibility for the supervision of the practice of others, making decisions to prioritise care as appropriate. Ability to make decisions, even in times of pressure or distress, in a thoughtful and informed way to meet the needs of service users and staff. To work in accordance with codes of practice as defined by the regulatory and professional body. To work in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. Any Other Specific Tasks Required Ability to travel across the county to include access to remote locations