Dietetic Assistant

University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job description

Job Summary

The Nutrition & Dietetic Department is delighted to offer the opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual to join our team. The post holder will provide general and advanced (clinical & non‑clinical) support to the dietetic service at UHP NHS Trust, working under the supervision of senior dietitians.

Main Duties

• Provide general and advanced support to the acute dietetic service for in‑patients and out‑patients at Derriford Hospital and other UHP sites, under the guidance of senior dietitians.
• Enhance ward dietitian activity, improving service efficiency, streamlining nutrition care provision, and facilitating effective patient discharges.
• Undertake additional tasks within the dietetic department that do not require a registered dietitian’s expertise, as directed.
• Contribute to all nutrition and dietetic departmental activities and support the Trust‑wide dietetic service.

About Us

We are a people business where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a dedicated team committed to innovation, clinical excellence and excellent customer care. The Trust offers great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment, within a vibrant, modern city.

All communication will be electronic; please check your email regularly. If you need additional support, reasonable adjustments or have any issues with the application process, contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We encourage flexible working arrangements and invite applicants to discuss these before submitting an application.

Details

• Date posted: 11 February 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
• Band: 3
• Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 per annum (pro‑rata)
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Part‑time
• Reference number: 216‑DH‑DA7759948
• Job location: Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH

Job Responsibilities

This post is based in the Nutrition and Dietetic Department of Derriford Hospital with travel to other UHP sites.

• Work independently under the direction of an HCPC registered dietitian to perform specific tasks for individual or group patients.
• Take responsibility for all aspects of own work and seek advice from dietitians when necessary.
• Work within protocols and competencies specific to this post and act as first contact in specific situations.
• Check and support the use of nutritional screening tools, including weighing and measuring patients and ongoing staff training.
• Implement MUST care plans, introduce oral nutritional supplements and monitor compliance.
• Assist in collecting relevant data for care plans (e.g., referral information, medical summaries, requests from GP surgeries).
• Retrieve and record biochemistry results, informing the dietitian where appropriate.
• Undertake patient reviews under dietitian supervision, including nutritional assessment, information gathering, needs identification, care plan development, and progress review.
• Calculate, document and monitor oral food and fluid intake (e.g., food and fluid record charts) and discuss nutritional intake with patients, addressing barriers.
• Document assessment reviews and all patient contacts in medical and nursing notes.
• Communicate patient care plans with relevant healthcare professionals and provide feedback to the dietitian.
• Adhere to outcome monitoring directed by team leaders.
• Act as dietetic representative at multidisciplinary meetings as required.
• Work flexibly and carry out duties as directed and agreed with dietitians.
• Assist dietitians and nursing staff with effective discharge planning, including safe discharge of patients requiring home enteral tube feeding, and provide feeding pump training to patients/carers.
• Order and manage stock levels of nutritional supplements, dietary booklets and resources.
• Assist with data collection for audit/research projects (clinical data collection, patient satisfaction surveys, audit of screening).
• Seek advice when limitations arise and reinforce dietitian advice to patients/carers as requested.
• Follow up patients by telephone and/or face‑to‑face reviews.
• Contribute to departmental and external meetings as delegated.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, Priority and ‘At Risk’ status NHS staff in Devon with recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Person Specification

Essential

• Knowledge & Experience: Demonstrable experience in a healthcare environment; interest in food and nutrition; excellent computer skills (assessed at interview).
• Qualifications: General education with GCSE English and Mathematics (Grades 7‑4 or A‑C), legible handwriting (assessed at interview).
• Aptitude & Abilities: Communicate sensitively, effectively and professionally (oral, written, electronic); good interpersonal skills; good time‑management (prioritise work, respond to unpredictable situations).

Desirable

• Knowledge & Experience: Experience as a Dietetic Assistant; experience with specific dietary needs; experience with healthcare computer systems.
• Qualifications: Formal word‑processing training; formal database training.
• Aptitude & Abilities: Resourceful.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check to confirm no unsatisfactory convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcomed and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information, visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Employer Details

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Derriford Hospital
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
Website: https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/