• Job Description

  Req#: C9342-26-0178?language=en&page=88&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  Are you interested in Mental Health? We are a team of Dietitians working across the inpatient wards of AWP and this is your opportunity to join us. We are looking for dietitians who are interested in mental health and are ready to develop and extend their dietetic skills working within a mental health inpatient setting.

  This role will give you experience with dementia, older people, acute, and mental health rehabilitation. This is the perfect opportunity to gain more experience in mental health dietetics.

  You will be working as part of a multi professional team with other AHP nursing and medical colleagues focussing on the physical health of our service users.

  The role will cover inpatients in Bristol for most of the week, with the additional cover of North Somerset and Bath inpatients which can easily be accessed by car or public transport.

  We offer regular supervision, CPD opportunities and links with the wider Nutrition and Dietetics team in AWP. If you are in your first year of qualifying, we also offer a preceptorship program.

  We welcome applications from dietetic students soon to qualify.

  Main duties of the job

  Under supervision and working alongside experienced Dietitians and Dietetic support staff you will develop your skills in a range of physical health areas such as diabetes, weight management and nutrition support. You will need to be a flexible and versatile practitioner who is committed to lifelong learning in order to deliver to an outstanding service. Reflective practice and the use of evidence based interventions will enable you to grow in confidence in this role.

  You will be an active and involved member of the multidisciplinary team.

  Please do not hesitate to contact BNSSG Dietetic Lead for AWP via email Bita.Curtis1@nhs.net or telephone 07523 978583, for more information or to discuss the role in more detail.

  About us

  We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

  We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

  Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

  At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

  Details

  Date posted

  16 March 2026

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 5

  Salary

  £31,049 to £37,796 a year pending pay award

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  342-BR035-0326

  Job locations

  Callington Road Hospital

  Marmalade Lane

  Bristol

  BS4 5BJ

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Clinical

  To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively with regard to clinical priorities.

  To work independently at times whilst being aware of own limitations and to seek advise from more senior members of staff on unfamiliar clinical issues.

  To assess the nutritional status and lifestyle of appropriately referred Inpatients within the Mental Health services and collaborate with the service users to establish realistic and achievable aims and objectives, plans and interventions.

  To formulate individualised management and treatment plans to help promote optimal physical and mental health and nutritional status with regular supervision from Dietetic Manager. This will include providing advice on the appropriate timing of interventions such as food fortification, nutritional supplements and Enteral nutrition.

  To monitor patients and alter treatment plans according to changes in physical or psychological conditions taking into account biochemical and anthropometric measurements, changes in medication and dietary compliance.

  To provide dietary and medical information in a clear and straightforward manner, in conjunction with carers and interpreters when necessary (e.g. sign and language interpreters).

  To communicate effectively with patients in an empathic and sensitive way.

  To also communicate effectively with medical and nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team through personal, written or telephone contact. This will include the provision of written reports to GPs, Consultant, Psychiatrists and other health care professionals regarding patient progress and dietetic concerns.

  To have an appreciation of the barriers to communication that can occur when working with clients within the mental health setting.

  To participate in multidisciplinary team working and ensure that dietetic intervention is evidence-based, timely and tailored to the individual patient's needs.

  To attend multidisciplinary meetings to discuss patients care and discharge planning.

  To liaise with catering services on the provision and implementation of appropriate diets for inpatients.

  To use motivational techniques to support service users to comply with dietetic treatment plans when there are barriers to understanding or acceptance of the need for treatment.

  To provide group education and training to patients, health care professionals and students on a regular basis.

  To record and submit professional activity data in accordance with departmental and Trust standards.

  To maintain accurate and up to date patient records that meet departmental, Trust and British Dietetic Association (BDA) standards.

  Professional

  To comply with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and British Dietetic Association (BDA) code of conduct and Professional standards as well as Departmental and Trust Procedures.

  Training

  To contribute to the induction, training and education of students and staff.

  To attend mandatory training.

  To attend training courses appropriate to stage of professional development, and as agreed at appraisal.

  To feedback about courses attended as appropriate.

  Service Development

  To be involved in the strategic planning of the Nutrition & Dietetic Service.

  To ensure that the service reflects a user-centred approach in the delivery of care and service planning.

  To work effectively as a member of the multidisciplinary team to support the planning and achievement of Trust and departmental objectives.

  To assist and participate in projects as directed by the Head of Dietetics and Clinical Directors.

  Continuing Professional Development

  To work with Dietetic manager to identify training and developmental needs and undertake appropriate training as required.

  To undertake other tasks as agreed as part of the personal developmentprogramme.

  Maintain and demonstrate an evidence-based knowledge of current developments within Dietetics and Mental Health. To collect evidence of these activities in a professional portfolio.

  To comply with mandatory training requirements.

  Clinical Governance

  To contribute to the Trust and Departmental clinical governance agenda through participating in audit.

  To participate in departmental and Trust wide dietetic policy groups.

  To review diet sheets and policies in line with changing professional consensus.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  Clinical

  To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients and to organise this effectively with regard to clinical priorities.

  To work independently at times whilst being aware of own limitations and to seek advise from more senior members of staff on unfamiliar clinical issues.

  To assess the nutritional status and lifestyle of appropriately referred Inpatients within the Mental Health services and collaborate with the service users to establish realistic and achievable aims and objectives, plans and interventions.

  To formulate individualised management and treatment plans to help promote optimal physical and mental health and nutritional status with regular supervision from Dietetic Manager. This will include providing advice on the appropriate timing of interventions such as food fortification, nutritional supplements and Enteral nutrition.

  To monitor patients and alter treatment plans according to changes in physical or psychological conditions taking into account biochemical and anthropometric measurements, changes in medication and dietary compliance.

  To provide dietary and medical information in a clear and straightforward manner, in conjunction with carers and interpreters when necessary (e.g. sign and language interpreters).

  To communicate effectively with patients in an empathic and sensitive way.

  To also communicate effectively with medical and nursing staff and other members of the multidisciplinary team through personal, written or telephone contact. This will include the provision of written reports to GPs, Consultant, Psychiatrists and other health care professionals regarding patient progress and dietetic concerns.

  To have an appreciation of the barriers to communication that can occur when working with clients within the mental health setting.

  To participate in multidisciplinary team working and ensure that dietetic intervention is evidence-based, timely and tailored to the individual patient's needs.

  To attend multidisciplinary meetings to discuss patients care and discharge planning.

  To liaise with catering services on the provision and implementation of appropriate diets for inpatients.

  To use motivational techniques to support service users to comply with dietetic treatment plans when there are barriers to understanding or acceptance of the need for treatment.

  To provide group education and training to patients, health care professionals and students on a regular basis.

  To record and submit professional activity data in accordance with departmental and Trust standards.

  To maintain accurate and up to date patient records that meet departmental, Trust and British Dietetic Association (BDA) standards.

  Professional

  To comply with the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC) and British Dietetic Association (BDA) code of conduct and Professional standards as well as Departmental and Trust Procedures.

  Training

  To contribute to the induction, training and education of students and staff.

  To attend mandatory training.

  To attend training courses appropriate to stage of professional development, and as agreed at appraisal.

  To feedback about courses attended as appropriate.

  Service Development

  To be involved in the strategic planning of the Nutrition & Dietetic Service.

  To ensure that the service reflects a user-centred approach in the delivery of care and service planning.

  To work effectively as a member of the multidisciplinary team to support the planning and achievement of Trust and departmental objectives.

  To assist and participate in projects as directed by the Head of Dietetics and Clinical Directors.

  Continuing Professional Development

  To work with Dietetic manager to identify training and developmental needs and undertake appropriate training as required.

  To undertake other tasks as agreed as part of the personal developmentprogramme.

  Maintain and demonstrate an evidence-based knowledge of current developments within Dietetics and Mental Health. To collect evidence of these activities in a professional portfolio.

  To comply with mandatory training requirements.

  Clinical Governance

  To contribute to the Trust and Departmental clinical governance agenda through participating in audit.

  To participate in departmental and Trust wide dietetic policy groups.

  To review diet sheets and policies in line with changing professional consensus.

  Person Specification

  Other skills

  Essential

  • A current UK driving licence
  • Access to a car to use for work purposes
  • Able to prioritise given workload and work independently as appropriate
  • Produce and present clear concise written information

  Desirable

  • Evidence of IT skills for health promotion campaigns and resource development

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • HCPC Registered Dietitian
  • Honours Degree / Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics

  Experience

  Essential

  • A strong interest in the field of Mental Health dietetics
  • Participation in continuing professional development

  Desirable

  • Experience of working in the mental health

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • Evidence of working in weight management
  • Evidence of working in diabetes
  • Evidence of working in nutrition support
  • Appreciation of clinical governance

  Desirable

  • Evidence of teaching / training health care professionals
  • Evidence of teaching / training patients / service users / carers

  Other Requirements

  Essential

  • Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times.

  Person Specification

  Other skills

  Essential

  • A current UK driving licence
  • Access to a car to use for work purposes
  • Able to prioritise given workload and work independently as appropriate
  • Produce and present clear concise written information

  Desirable

  • Evidence of IT skills for health promotion campaigns and resource development

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • HCPC Registered Dietitian
  • Honours Degree / Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics

  Experience

  Essential

  • A strong interest in the field of Mental Health dietetics
  • Participation in continuing professional development

  Desirable

  • Experience of working in the mental health

  Knowledge

  Essential

  • Evidence of working in weight management
  • Evidence of working in diabetes
  • Evidence of working in nutrition support
  • Appreciation of clinical governance

  Desirable

  • Evidence of teaching / training health care professionals
  • Evidence of teaching / training patients / service users / carers

  Other Requirements

  Essential

  • Empathy for individuals who have experienced mental health problems and ability to cope with behaviour which may be challenging at times.

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Additional information

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

  Address

  Callington Road Hospital

  Marmalade Lane

  Bristol

  BS4 5BJ

  
  

  Employer's website

  http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

  Address

  Callington Road Hospital

  Marmalade Lane

  Bristol

  BS4 5BJ

  
  

  Employer's website

  http://www.awp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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