First Contact Dietitian - Wansbeck inBedlington inBedlington PUBLISHED TUE 26 NOV 2024

We are looking for a dietitian to work in person to cover a temporary dietetic service (due to maternity leave).

In-person work is required, and hours and duration of work can be discussed.

This includes working part-time, full-time or flexibly. Please contact us for more information.

Wansbeck PCN covers the following GP practices:

• Bedlingtonshire Medical Group
• Guidepost Medical Group
• Seaton Park Medical Group
• The Gables Medical Group

We support and help dietitians become first contact dietitians (FCDs).

First Contact Dietitians are qualified autonomous clinical practitioners working in GP practices who can assess, diagnose, treat, and manage dietetic problems and undifferentiated conditions, and where appropriate, to discharge a person without a medical referral.

FCDs are a key multidisciplinary team member in primary care and support reducing GP workload. FCDs working in this role can be accessed directly by self-referral or staff in GP practices can direct patients to them to establish a rapid and accurate management plan to streamline pathways of care.

The dietitian will be a highly skilled, senior practitioner able to operate at an advanced level of clinical practice, with expert knowledge in the management of patients dietary issues and conditions. They will work as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) within the PCN.

The dietitian will provide person centred interventions for the patient from initial clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of their care within set patient groups. They will demonstrate safe, clinical decision-making and expert care for patients within the general practice. They will work collaboratively with the general practice MDT to meet the needs of patients, support the delivery of policy and procedures, and provide dietetic leadership as required.

The role requires the dietitian to work in practice (across different practices), with a focus on 80% diabetes and 20% frailty/nutrition support.

The PCN is looking for a dietitian who can support their patients with:

• Knowledge and expertise around diabetes is essential
• Experience with weight management
• Frailty and nutrition support
• Experience with paediatrics

About us

Clinical Practice

• Assess, diagnose, triage, and manage patients, taking responsibility for the management of a caseload
• Develop and make use of your full scope of clinical practice, including skills relating to supplementary prescribing and investigation when trained to do so
• Manage complex interactions, including working with patients with psychosocial and mental health needs, referring to social prescribing when appropriate
• Deliver programmes of supported patient self-management, in ways that facilitate behavioural change, optimise individuals' health, nutrition, fulfilment of personal goals and independence, and that minimise the need for pharmacological interventions
• Provide care which is tailored to the individual needs. This would include, appraising the impact of individuals' clinical status on their general health, well-being, employment status
• Support patients to set their own goals and be confident in their approach to self-management where appropriate.

Evidence, Research, and Development

• Develop relationships and a collaborative working approach across the PCN supporting the integration of pathways in primary care
• Work as part of an MDT in a patient facing role, using your expert knowledge of dietetics, to create stronger links for dietetic services through clinical leadership, teaching and evaluation skills
• Support research and audit programmes to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of our service
• Streamline the pathway of care by providing a responsive service so that patients receive timely access to care

Leadership

• Lead, manage and contribute to service delivery
• Implement all aspects of effective clinical governance for own practice, including undertaking regular audit and evaluation, supervision and training
• Communicate effectively and appropriately, with patients and carers, complex and sensitive information regarding diagnosis, pathology, prognosis and treatment choices supporting personalised care

Facilitating learning

• Provide feedback and support to other PCN clinical team members on appropriate referral criteria
• Critically reflect on own practice and continue to develop your skills.

Key skills and attributes

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced and changing environment
• Strong clinical problem-solving and analytical skills, including ability to identify when to refer a patient to another service or for diagnostics
• Ability to critically reflect on your own professional developmental needs, and is motivated to progress your clinical development (with support)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work cohesively with a wider team
• Able to follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies/procedures and codes of conduct
• Office skills including the use of IT programmes, databases and other modern/tech based ways of working and collaborating