Highly Specialist Dietitian for Adult Diabetes

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will lead and develop the adult diabetes dietetic service, providing highly specialised nutritional assessment, treatment and management for adults with diabetes across inpatient and outpatient settings. They will act as the clinical expert for diabetes nutrition, ensuring the delivery of evidence-based, patient-centred care whilst contributing to the strategic development of the service.

Key responsibilities include:

Clinical Leadership

• Lead the provision of a specialist dietetic service for adults with diabetes across acute and outpatient services.
• Manage a highly complex clinical caseload, prioritising referrals according to clinical need.
• Undertake comprehensive nutritional assessments using clinical history, anthropometry, biochemical data, pharmacology, medical investigations and psychosocial factors.
• Develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based nutritional treatment plans for patients with diabetes and associated endocrine conditions.
• Provide specialist advice regarding diabetes management, carbohydrate counting, insulin adjustment, diabetes technology and nutritional support.
• Assess, prescribe and monitor nutritional supplements and Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) products where appropriate.
• Support the management of patients requiring enteral and parenteral nutrition in collaboration with the multidisciplinary nutrition team.
• Participate in multidisciplinary ward rounds, outpatient clinics and specialist meetings.
• Contribute to safe discharge planning and continuity of care through effective liaison with community services and primary care.

Expert Practice and Service Development

• Act as the clinical expert for diabetes nutrition across the Trust.
• Develop, implement and review clinical pathways, guidelines, protocols and policies in line with national guidance, including NICE, JBDS, BDA and other professional standards.
• Lead service improvement initiatives to enhance patient care, clinical outcomes and service efficiency.
• Identify gaps in service provision and contribute to business cases supporting service development.
• Evaluate and develop patient information resources to ensure they are evidence-based, accessible and culturally appropriate.
• Promote person-centred care and support patients in developing self-management skills.

Communication and Multidisciplinary Working

• Work collaboratively with consultants, specialist nurses, pharmacists, therapists, catering services, primary care and community providers.
• Communicate highly complex clinical information to patients, carers and healthcare professionals in a manner appropriate to individual needs.
• Support patients with significant barriers to communication, learning, cognition or behaviour using advanced communication and motivational interviewing techniques.
• Act as an advocate for patients and contribute specialist advice during multidisciplinary discussions involving complex ethical and clinical decision-making.
• Challenge poor clinical practice where appropriate and contribute to improving standards of care.

Education and Training

• Lead the development and delivery of structured diabetes education programmes for patients and healthcare professionals.
• Deliver education relating to carbohydrate counting, insulin management, diabetes technologies, healthy eating and lifestyle management.
• Develop and deliver teaching programmes for dietitians, medical staff, nurses, allied health professionals and other healthcare workers.
• Supervise, mentor and assess student dietitians during clinical placements.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentoring and appraisal support for junior dietetic staff.

Leadership and Management

• Provide day-to-day clinical leadership for the diabetes dietetic service.
• Support workforce planning, service delivery and prioritisation of clinical activity.
• Contribute to recruitment, induction, supervision and retention of staff.
• Ensure appropriate clinical cover during periods of annual leave, sickness and service pressures.
• Participate in departmental, Trust and regional meetings representing the dietetic service.
• Work collaboratively with senior managers to develop and improve diabetes services.

Research, Audit and Quality Improvement

• Lead and participate in clinical audit, quality improvement projects and research within diabetes and nutrition services.
• Collect, analyse and present clinical data to demonstrate service performance and patient outcomes.
• Implement changes to practice based on audit findings, emerging evidence and national guidance.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and activity data using Trust electronic systems.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain HCPC registration and comply with the Code of Conduct, professional standards and Trust policies.
• Participate in appraisal, mandatory training and continuing professional development.
• Maintain an up-to-date CPD portfolio.
• Ensure clinical documentation meets professional and legal standards.
• Obtain valid consent before assessment and treatment.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with information governance requirements.

Financial and Resource Management

• Manage specialist nutritional resources and equipment safely and effectively.
• Monitor stock levels and contribute to cost-effective purchasing.
• Ensure appropriate use and maintenance of clinical equipment and patient education resources.

General Responsibilities

• Participate in seven-day service provision and provide cross-cover for other specialist areas as required.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery.
• Comply with Trust policies relating to safeguarding, infection prevention, health and safety, risk management and clinical governance.
• Undertake any additional duties commensurate with the grade of the post and in line with service requirements.