Dietetic Assistant

The Nutrition & Dietetic Dept is delighted to offer the opportunity for an enthusiastic, and highly motivated individual to join our Team. The post holder will work to provide general and advanced (clinical & non-clinical) support to the dietetic service at UHP NHS Trust working under the supervision of senior dietitians.

To provide general and advanced (clinical & non-clinical) support to the acute dietetic service for in-patients and out-patients at Derriford Hospital and outlying University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP) sites, working under the supervision of senior dietitians.

To enhance the work carried out by ward dietitians, improving service efficiency, streamlining the provision of nutrition care, and facilitating effective patient discharges.

To undertake other tasks, within the dietetic department, that do not require the expertise of a registered dietitian, as assigned by a supervising dietitian.

To be involved in all Nutrition and Dietetic departmental activities and contribute to the delivery of a Trust wide dietetic service.

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment.

We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on  We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles.

Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission.

We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

This post is based in the Nutrition and Dietetic Department of Derriford Hospital with a requirement to travel to out-lying UHP sites.

To work independently, but under the direction of an HCPC registered dietitian to perform specific tasks for an individual or group of patients.

Be responsible for all aspects of own work and demonstrate awareness of own level of responsibility and accountability within the service, and when to seek advice from the dietitians.

To work within protocols and competencies specific to this post. To act as first contact in specific situations.

Check and support the use of nutritional screening tools. This will involve weighing and measuring patients as well as ongoing staff training.

Implementation of MUST care plan, introduction of oral nutritional supplements and monitoring of compliance.

Assist in the collection of relevant data for facilitating care plans such as, referral information, medical summaries, requesting information from GP surgeries/other hospitals etc.

Retrieve and record biochemistry results and inform the dietitian of results as appropriate.

Undertake patient reviews of selected patients under the supervision of the dietitian. This will include nutritional assessment, information gathering, identifying patient needs, development of nutritional care plans and review of progress at regular intervals.

Calculating, documenting and monitoring oral food and fluid intake e.g., food and fluid record charts and discussing nutritional intake with patients and any barriers preventing them from meeting the nutritional care plan goals.

Documenting nutritional assessment reviews and all patient contacts in medical and nursing notes.

Communication of patient care plans with relevant healthcare professionals and providing feedback to the dietitian. The role will also involve giving advice, assisting patients in making dietary changes and undertaking diet histories.

Strict adherence to outcome monitoring as directed by team leaders

Act as a dietetic representative at multidisciplinary meetings as required

Work flexibly and carry out duties as directed and agreed with the dietitians.

Assist the dietitians, and nursing staff with effective discharge planning including facilitating the safe discharge of patients requiring Home Enteral Tube Feeding, and training patients / carers in the use of equipment e.g. feeding pump training.

Ordering and management of adequate stock levels of nutritional supplements, dietary booklets and…