Advanced Dietetic Practitioner - Frailty

Overview

This is a new and exciting opportunity for an experienced, registered Dietitian looking to grow and develop their leadership in the area of Frailty, to join our AHP Frailty service including Frailty Front Door within Highland Health and Social Care partnership. The initial focus will be predominantly on our frailty assessment beds within Raigmore Hospital GA ward and as part of initiation of comprehensive geriatric assessment.

The Frailty service has a strong MDT approach and you’ll be working within a team of experienced, Advanced Practice AHPs and other colleagues to deliver the service for people with frailty. The post holder will work across the interface between acute and community settings supporting those patients identified with frailty to maximise their independence and wellbeing within their local communities.

This post will support the improvement of patient flow within the system through early Nutrition & Dietetic intervention with rapid assessment and care planning to support timely discharge, prevent avoidable hospital admission and improve patient outcomes. The role will include further working upstream to develop networks through Primary care, ED, Discharge Without Delay initiative, Discharge to Assess and with a wide range of community planning partners including third sector.

• Work within the MDT throughout the acute setting as well as community integrated teams to ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
• Deliver the Frailty service for people with frailty, supporting early nutritional assessment and care planning to facilitate timely discharge.
• Collaborate with Primary care, Emergency Department, Discharge Without Delay and Discharge to Assess initiatives to foster seamless transitions between settings.
• Engage with a wide range of community planning partners, including third sector organisations, to build and maintain networks that support patient independence and wellbeing.

• Experienced, registered Dietitian with a passion for quality improvement and service development.
• Excellent organisational, clinical and communication skills.
• Proven ability to use motivational interviewing techniques and an understanding of health inequalities.
• Forward‑thinking and proactive approach to work within a fast‑paced, responsive and evolving health and social care system.

• Permanent, full‑time post (36 hours per week from 1st April 2026).
• Base salary negotiable with formal and informal supervision available.
• Opportunities for personal growth and development through PDP and CPD.
• Supportive, friendly, progressive team with access to undergraduate student placements.

• Job
• Closing date:
  Midnight Sunday 1st March 2026
• Permanent, full time (36 hrs per week from 1st April 2026)

Val Mac Donald RD, Head of Service for Dietetics, valerie.macdonald1t

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.