Band 5 Dietitian

Posting date:	09 January 2026
Salary:	£32,602.00 to £39,686.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£32602.00 - £39686.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	23 January 2026
Location:	Harlow, CM20 1QX
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	C9292-26-0007

Summary

COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND RELATIONSHIPS To facilitate and encourage lifestyle changes using a variety of communication skills, including motivational interviewing techniques. To maintain accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation in line with legal, Trust and departmental requirements. To communicate assessments and plans to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters as required, in a timely manner. To effectively raise concerns with regards to safeguarding and/or the safety of patients or staff members through the appropriate channels. To liaise with the nutrition multi-disciplinary team (MDT) regarding patients being considered for long term tube feeding, or for complex decisions regarding nutrition. To attend and participate in regular team meetings including Dietetic, Therapies, Trust and clinical team meetings as required. To attend and participate in other meetings on behalf of the Dietetic team as required. To be responsible for safe discharge planning and follow up for patients requiring ongoing Dietetic support in the community. This will include patients requiring artificial nutritional support, who require training, supply and delivery of specialist products and feeding equipment. To liaise with community Dietitians and other relevant professionals effectively to handover and obtain relevant information. To advise and liaise with catering staff concerning catering for patients with special dietary needs. To communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals, including medical staff, nursing staff, and the Nutrition Practitioner/Nurse. SUPERVISORY/MANAGERIAL DUTIES To supervise students and work experience students, and to contribute to the relevant student assessment processes. To participate in the recruitment and induction of new staff as required. PROFESSIONAL SKILLS To work within HCPC and BDA standards, relevant national and local policies, standard operating procedures, processes and guidelines. To assist with the development and implementation of policies relevant to job role, including providing feedback on new and existing policies when requested. To develop, implement, evaluate and improve own practice using research and evidence-based practice. To be responsible for maintaining own competencies, and to participate in regular CPD activities. To maintain a portfolio which reflects personal and clinical development in line with HCPC standards. To participate in regular clinical supervision sessions and appraisals, and to take responsibility to work towards the objectives set. To work with other members of the nutrition and dietetic department to develop and update evidence-based resources such as diet sheets. To participate in a wide range of audits within the Trust. To be involved with quality improvement projects, to help ensure that a high-quality service is provided for patients. SYSTEMS & EQUIPMENT To collect and input data accurately and completely within relevant systems, adhering to information governance and other relevant policies and procedures. To record own activity, as per Trust and department procedures. To collect service user feedback, as per Trust and department procedures. To report clinical incidents in a timely manner, using the relevant system and process. To take and record accurate anthropometric measurements when appropriate. To have a basic understanding of how to use feeding pumps within the Trust PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB Physical effort Light physical effort – primarily sitting (including typing, data entry), standing, walking. Sometimes collecting anthropometric measurements from patients and light manual handling, providing fully trained for each task. Mental effort Frequent requirement for concentration e.g. analysing diet histories, calculating enteral/parenteral nutrition plans, nutritional assessment MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB Unpredictability. To continually re-prioritise to ensure resources are best utilised. This includes reprioritising caseloads within the team, including during periods of staff shortages. Managing malnutrition in unwell patients and being involved in difficult, emotive, ethical decisions about nutrition. This includes decisions about whether the withdrawal of artificial nutrition is appropriate. Maintaining strong communication with patients, relatives and carers, even under stressful circumstances. Managing conflicting opinions on patient care and treatment with other members of MDTs. Balancing clinical caseload with other responsibilities such administration tasks, managerial work, project work and CPD activities