About this role
Job summary
We are looking for a talented and dynamic Dietitian to join the Hounslow Falls Prevention and Bone Health Service. The service aims to enable people to work towards self-management and improve their understanding of the health, nutritional and lifestyle factors that can contribute to falls, frailty and poor bone health. The team is working in partnership with borough colleagues to enhance links between clinical and community services, helping the population of Hounslow to live well, remain active, maintain independence and reduce their risk of falls and fragility fractures.
You will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team, including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Nursing, supporting patients and their family/carers through a comprehensive falls and bone health assessment pathway. You will play a key role in educating patients on the importance of nutrition in supporting overall health, strength and independence, with a particular focus on optimising bone health and reducing the risk of fractures.
Your expertise will add significant value for people living with osteoporosis, osteopenia, frailty and other long-term conditions associated with poor bone health and an increased risk of fragility fractures. You will provide evidence-based dietary advice and interventions to support bone strength, muscle health and healthy ageing, encouraging patients to make realistic lifestyle changes that improve their quality of life.
Main duties of the job
This is a patient-facing role requiring direct contact with patients through individual assessments, home visits and group-based interventions. Some virtual consultations may form part of the role. The post holder will work flexibly across the Hounslow Borough and may be required to travel between multiple sites.
Nutritional assessment of patients at risk of falls, frailty, bone health conditions and fragility fractures.
Screening and management of malnutrition, unintended weight loss and poor dietary intake.
Assessment of calcium, vitamin D and protein intake to support bone and muscle health.
Development of individualised nutrition plans to reduce falls risk and improve strength and function.
Provision of dietary advice on bone health, healthy eating, hydration and fracture prevention.
Prescription and monitoring of oral nutritional supplements where clinically indicated.
Identification and management of nutrition-related contributors to falls, including frailty, sarcopenia and dehydration.
Patient and carer education to support long-term nutritional management.
Monitoring outcomes and reviewing progress to optimise nutritional status, bone health and falls prevention where clinically indicated.
About us
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as 'Good' overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as 'Outstanding'.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Dietetics and registered with HCPC Evidence of recent clinical practice as a Dietitian and maintenance of professional registration Membership of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) or eligibility for membership
Desirable
Postgraduate specialist training relevant to falls prevention, frailty, osteoporosis or bone health
Experience Essential
Minimum one year experience working as a Band 5 Dietitian in an acute and/or community setting Experience managing an autonomous caseload and demonstrating independent clinical decision-making Experience of multidisciplinary team working and collaborative care planning in older adults living with frailty who are identified as high risk of falls
Desirable
Experience working with older adults, frailty, malnutrition, osteoporosis and/or bone health conditions
Skills and Abilities Essential
Excellent communication skills with patients, carers and professionals from diverse backgrounds Experience delivering education, training or group sessions to patients and/or healthcare professionals Ability to prioritise workload, work independently and manage competing demands IT literate with experience of electronic patient records and Microsoft Office applications
Knowledge Essential
Knowledge and evidence of application of nutrition management relating to falls prevention, frailty, osteoporosis and bone health Understanding of clinical governance, risk management, safeguarding and patient safety principles Demonstrates advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice in dietetic interventions
Desirable
Knowledge and application of behaviour change techniques and motivational interviewing
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name West London NHS Trust
Address Heart of Hounslow Health Centre
Hounslow
TW3 3LN
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.westlondon.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)