Specialist Dietitian

NHS; North East; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare foundation trust in North East England is seeking an experienced Specialist Dietitian to join the Community Eating Disorder Team. This role involves conducting dietetic assessments, implementing care plans, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support young users with eating disorders. The ideal candidate must hold the proper qualifications and have experience in mental health or learning disabilities. The trust offers numerous benefits, including staff well-being services and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Free parking

Access to Trust gyms

Continuous professional training

Relocation package support

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 months post-qualifying experience in dietetic delivery.
• Experience supporting individuals with mental health issues or learning disabilities.
• Experience in a multidisciplinary team setting.

Responsibilities

• Undertakes complex dietetic assessments and develops dietary care plans.
• Provides dietetic support to CAMHS teams.
• Maintains professional standards in user care.

Skills

Dietetic assessments

Team collaboration

Clinical risk assessment

Understanding of mental health needs

Education

Appropriate professional qualification in dietetics

Current relevant registration with regulatory body

IELTS level 7 for international recruits

Post-graduate training in relevant specialist area

Job description

Specialist Dietitian

The closing date is 18 December 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Band 6 Specialist Dietitian to join The Durham and Darlington Children's and Young Peoples (CYPS) Community Eating Disorder Team.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic individual who is able to work with the wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT), with our partners in Acute Trusts, and other important stakeholders.

The aim of our Specialist Eating Disorders Team is to provide non‑judgmental, timely support for young people and their families who may require specialist support to recover from an eating disorder, so they can build confidence and live their lives.

The service also embraces a culture of service user participation.

There will be an expectation to provide dietetic support to the broader CAMHS teams, working with a number of complex presentations, including faltering growth, selective eating and weight management.

Well‑being of colleagues and working collaboratively is essential as we see this as an important aspect of keeping our staff happy at work.

This post provides an opportunity to work as part of a broader and supportive team of dietitians within a specialist mental health and learning disabilities NHS Foundation Trust.

Main duties of the job

Promotes and maintains safety, privacy, and dignity of all service users in the delivery of person‑centred care, recognising and respecting differences including spiritual and cultural beliefs.

Undertakes complex dietetic assessments and develops complex dietary care plans, e.g., identifying and managing dietary intake for service users at risk of re‑feeding syndrome.

Responsible for ensuring the highest professional standards and attitudes towards the care of service users are always maintained and that care is delivered in accordance with Guidelines, Access and Waiting Time Standards, and the Trust's Values and behaviours by all members of the team.

Assesses service users, including those with complex needs, and develops, implements, and evaluates intervention plans as part of the MDT, involving young people and their families.

Provides updates and reports on service user progress at clinical meetings and makes recommendations to inform the clinical decision‑making process regarding service user care as part of the MDT.

Maintains up‑to‑date knowledge and competency in the skills required to perform safely and effectively in the role. Undertakes relevant training (including statutory and mandatory training) and is responsible for personal development agreed with the line manager in line with the requirements of the AFC Knowledge and Skills Framework.

About us

Our Dietetic Team is the largest and most established Specialist Mental Health/LD dietetic team in the UK and has strong links with the British Dietetic Association. We have a robust clinical and management supervision structure and support and promote continued professional training and development.

Some of the benefits for staff working in the Trust include:

• Travel: Free parking, car sharing scheme (via Lift Share), Business Car Lease Scheme, Non Business Use Car Lease Scheme and Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Staff Well‑being: Access to Trust gyms, rapid access to an independent counselling service, rapid access to physiotherapy, Occupational Health Services, free flu vaccinations at or near your place of work, dedicated Employee Support Service, Mindfulness Training, access to the Employee Psychology Service and Staff Retreats.
• Rewarding Employment Practices: Staff Compact, career development, Quality Improvement Systems (QIS), ability to purchase additional annual leave, career breaks, flexible working, Investors in People, nursery provision, pre‑retirement provision, retirement gift, access to canteens and coffee shops, access to the Chaplaincy Service, staff surveys/experience, staff awards, long‑service recognition award and gift, Christmas savings club, staff lottery and access to Health Service Discounts.
• Relocation Package: We are able to offer support with relocation costs if you are moving into the area.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Appropriate professional qualification in dietetics
• Current relevant registration with specific regulatory body
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) level 7 (SLT = 8) for international recruits
• Post‑graduate training in relevant specialist area

Experience

• Minimum 12 months post‑qualifying experience of dietetic delivery / completion of AYSE for social work (post‑2012) or pre‑2012 evidence of experience in accordance with the professional capabilities framework for an experienced social worker
• Experience of supporting people with mental health issues, learning disability or autism
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team (SW essential criteria)
• Clinical risk assessment and application in practice

Knowledge

• Understanding of the needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities
• Legal literacy (social work only remove for others)
• Knowledge of evidence‑based practice in designated specialist area
• Post‑graduate training in specialist area if applicable to post (e.g., dysphagia, autism diagnostics)
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of managing complex dietetic cases
• Awareness of professional standards and its application to practice

Other

• Ability to travel independently in accordance with Trust policies and service need

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.

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust