Job Description

We are looking for an experienced diabetes dietitian to provide maternity cover for 12 months to support our diabetes team.



The post holder will be required to provide nutritional management advice for people with diabetes. The ability to work as an independent practitioner in the community setting is essential. Group education to service users and healthcare professionals is also a key part of this role. The post holder will be required to manage their own clinical caseload, have excellent communication skills and a strong enthusiasm for supporting people with diabetes to improve their long-term health outcomes.



Successful applicants will be well supported in their role by our supportive team of Diabetes Specialist Nurses and the wider Nutrition and Dietetic Department. We are dedicated to personal development and encourage all staff to achieve their career aspirations. Learning opportunities are plentiful with department-wide CPD programmes, clinical supervision and external training opportunities.



The position may be able to be offered as a short-term contract. Please call for further details.



Should we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after the 23rd of October 2025.

The post holder is responsible for:

Nutrition assessment, advice and monitoring of a caseload of patients with primarily Type 2 Diabetes, including those at risk of malnutrition.



Independently manage a clinical caseload of people with diabetes, who have their care delivered in the community. This will include remote/virtual reviews, community clinics, nursing homes or patients own homes.



To support in the delivery and development of diabetes group education programmes for patients, healthcare professionals and social care staff. Including the delivery of DESMOND, if already trained to do so.



Adapt clinical and communication skills as required to suit the needs of a diverse population in Luton. Providing advice and support to patients who may have complex clinical, emotional, psychological and social problems, with support from other team members and clinical supervision.



Take responsibility for ensuring own continuing professional development, keeping up to date with latest evidence-based practice in diabetes care.



This role is offered on a hybrid working basis. The office base is in Luton. There will be the opportunity, but not expectation, for some home working.



Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.



There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.



If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.



Main Duties and Responsibilities



To manage a clinical caseload of people with diabetes who have their care delivered in the community, this will include a variety of settings including remote/virtual reviews, community clinics, nursing homes or patients own homes.

The post holder will be responsible for the assessment, advice and monitoring of patients, mostly with type 2 diabetes, the dietetic input will involve assessment, dietary and lifestyle counselling/education and CBT to support dietary and lifestyle change.

Work will also entail nutrition support to patients at high malnutrition risk with diabetes.

To develop skills to suggest appropriate medication changes where appropriate and trained to do so.

To maintain accurate clinical records at all times and monitor and manage waiting times to ensure all patients receive timely care.

To work closely with the community diabetes service including Diabetes Dietitians and Diabetes Specialist Nurses to deliver high quality integrated diabetes care for all patients.

To work with the Community Diabetes Specialist Nursing Team to deliver a variety of group education sessions to both patients and healthcare professionals, providing a range of educational activities for all patients including ethnic minority patients and families/carers for the

treatment of diabetes.

To provide training to care/nursing homes and healthcare professionals to improve understanding of diabetes and appropriate dietary approaches.

Carry out clinical audit as part of monitoring outcomes and service development.

To contribute to the service's quality and audit programme, including the development and monitoring of clinical and process standards, of own work and that of the wider Nutrition and Dietetic service.

To act as a source of diabetes expertise to provide theoretical and practical training, teaching and professional development support for all levels of health staff, including students.

To work with the local diabetes teams to develop and implement agreed clinical standards, pathways, policies and procedures for the community Diabetes Service. Ensuring work is in line with departmental, Trusts and national dietetic standards.

To utilise project management skills and work in partnership with service users, other agencies and professionals to plan, develop, implement and evaluate service developments and diabetes prevention interventions. All work will be based on current evidence based best practice guidelines and policies but tailored to respond to local need, especially our local BME groups. Such work will meet local Trust strategic objectives and follow national policies and initiatives.

Development of evidence-based patient information and best practice for people with diabetes.

To identify priorities and potential developments for diabetes dietetic service.

To support dietetic student training within the dietetic department.



Communication



To communicate effectively with patients, carers and associate Health Care professionals to ensure a good understanding of the medical conditions and benefits of treatment. Communication will require advanced counselling, motivation, negotiation and cognitive

behavioural therapy skills to overcome significant and challenging barriers to change. Some clients may have learning difficulties, dementia, language or cultural barriers. The post holder will be expected to work in both individual and group settings to optimise nutritional outcomes.

Skills include insight to recognise and act appropriately if vulnerable clients are at risk or deemed to be in need.

To undertake joint consultations with Diabetes Specialist Nurses and/or support workers/translators as necessary.

To ensure appropriate, accurate, timely and relevant records are kept regarding patient care -

in accordance with Trust Policy and the Service Operating Procedure within ICDS.

To provide timely written letters and care plans to patients/carers, GPs/practice nurses and allied health professionals.

To ensure tasks on SystmOne relating to patient care are dealt with in a timely manner to ensure patient safety.

To alert all relevant medical practitioners when adjustment to diabetes medication may be required because of initial dietary assessment and advice.

To work closely with diabetes specialist nurses, practice nurses, GPs, secondary care and social care as necessary to highlight concerns, feedback progress and seek specialist support to

improve blood glucose control and ensure optimised diabetes management.

To evaluate, develop and deliver education sessions for both health care professionals and a wide range of patient groups.

To develop evidence-based resources to meet the needs of clients at all levels of understanding, considering language and cultural differences.

To meet local and national nutritional guidelines by interpreting the latest dietary research, disseminating appropriate information to the diabetes team and community staff.

To establish and maintain positive interpersonal relationships with other staff. Positive relationships are characterised by open communication, trust and respect. To work at all times as an effective and integral member of the Diabetes teams.

To liaise with dietetic colleagues locally and nationally and other experts to ensure nutritional care, delivery standards, advice and information are consistent with the current evidence base.



Budgetary Responsibility



The post holder does not hold budgetary responsibility but will be aware of the planning of expenditure for the Diabetes team - including physical resources such as printing resource sheets and stock control of clinical resources.



People Management



Maintain accurate records of mandatory training and other training accessed to improve your service delivery.

To be responsible for the provision and development of dietetic services in your specialist area across the Trust, and to be responsible for service change in those specialist areas in response to service requirements.

To supervise student Dietitians.

Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and KSF process.



Research & Development Activity



To undertake audit and interpret research outcomes to enable the development of evidence based practice in individual specialist area and ensuring that therapy is based on evidence based practice and recognised guidelines.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through Continuing Professional Development activities, in line with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards.

To demonstrate an expert knowledge of relevant literature, to review and apply to practice where appropriate.

Actively participate in reflective clinical supervision with peers/clinical supervisor to develop and enhance practice.

Evaluate and review your own work, seeking the views of others and adopting the principles of evidence-based practice to ensure maintenance and development of clinical and professional standards.

Contribute to the Nutrition and Dietetic Service programs of quality and audit and encourage other team members and the community team to evaluate their own practice and adopt the principles of evidence-based practice.



Clinical and Practice Governance



Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed, or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.

The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.

The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.

It is a condition of your employment that you are currently registered with your professional body, and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration.

Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust.

The post holder must participate in clinical and safeguarding audits as required.

Provide patients and their families /carers with information on standards they should expect from the team.

Participate in Clinical & Safeguarding supervision on a regular basis.

The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.



General



Safeguarding people responsibility

Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility.

There is an expectation that all staff develop and maintain their role relevant safeguarding people competencies and comply with local safeguarding partnerships practice. Alongside this employee who are registrants are reminded of their professional duty of care.

Safeguarding means protecting a citizen's health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is an integral part of providing high-quality health care.

Those most in need of protection include:

Children and young people

Adults at risk, such as those receiving care in their own home, people with physical, sensory,

and mental impairments, and those with learning disabilities.