About this role
Job summary
Coastal Primary Care Network is seeking a proactive, motivated, and patient-focused Dietitian to join our well-established and collaborative network.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within primary care, delivering your own clinics while also contributing to the wider multidisciplinary team across our four practices. The role offers the chance to have a meaningful impact on patient outcomes by supporting holistic, person-centred care, improving quality of life, and enabling patients to make informed decisions about their health.
Initially, the role will focus on supporting patients with diabetes, with scope to expand into a broader caseload including frailty, malnutrition, and weight management.
Main duties of the job
Deliver high-quality, person-centred dietetic clinics within primary careSupport management of long-term conditions, particularly diabetesPromote self-management and lifestyle changesProvide dietary advice for weight management, malnutrition, frailty, and cardiovascular healthWork collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team Contribute to population health managementSupport consistent, evidence-based nutritional care across the PCNBuild strong relationships with colleagues and patients
About us
Coastal PCN serves a population of over 30,000 patients along the south coast of Cornwall. The network comprises four GP practices working collaboratively. These include Carnon Downs Surgery, Chacewater Health Centre, Perranporth Surgery and St Agnes Surgery
Our population includes young families, working-age adults, and an increasing elderly population, providing a varied and rewarding clinical environment.
All practices are committed to delivering high-quality care and regularly achieve high levels of patient satisfaction.
Job description Job responsibilities
The PCN Dietitian will work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) across Coastal PCN to deliver high-quality, person-centred nutritional care. The post holder will lead on the prevention, identification, and management of diet-related conditions, with a particular focus on diabetes and long-term conditions (LTCs).
The role aims to:
Improve clinical outcomes and patient experience Reduce health inequalities and variation in care Support patients to self-manage their conditions Contribute to recovery of care processes and achievement of NICE targets (e.g. HbA1c, cholesterol, blood pressure)
The Dietitian will operate at an advanced clinical level and act as a key clinical resource within primary care.
Clinical Practice
Undertake advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management of patients with complex nutritional needs Deliver evidence-based dietary interventions for conditions including: Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) Obesity Cardiovascular disease Malnutrition and frailty Support optimisation of: Glycaemic control (HbA1c) Lipids and blood pressure Nutritional status (including micronutrients and wound healing) Develop and implement personalised care plans using behaviour change techniques Promote supported self-management and structured education programmes Provide follow-up, review, and onward referral where appropriate Service Delivery & MDT Working
Work collaboratively with GPs, nurses, pharmacists, social prescribers, mental health practitioners, and podiatry services Identify and risk stratify patient cohorts using tools such as PARM Improve uptake of: NHS Healthier You Diabetes Prevention Programme Structured education for diabetes Routine monitoring and annual reviews Act as a link between primary, community, and secondary care dietetic services Contribute to integrated care pathways and reduce duplication of services Leadership & Service Development
Provide clinical leadership within the PCN on dietetic care Support development of local care pathways and referral guidelines Deliver education and training to the wider MDT on nutrition and dietetics Contribute to service planning, evaluation, and quality improvement Promote the role and impact of dietetics within primary careEducation & Workforce Development
Provide supervision, mentorship, and training for staff and students Support upskilling of the primary care workforce in nutrition and behaviour change Maintain own professional development in line with HCPC requirementsResearch, Audit & Governance
Undertake audit, data collection, and service evaluation Use data to inform service improvements and demonstrate impact Ensure compliance with clinical governance, safeguarding, and risk management Contribute to evidence-based practice and implementation of national guidance Communication & Engagement
Communicate complex nutritional information clearly to patients and carers Engage with diverse populations, addressing barriers to access and health inequalities Build strong relationships across health, social care, and voluntary sectors Advocate for patient-centred care and shared decision-making
Person Specification
Experience Essential
~ Significant post-registration experience, including diabetes management ~ Strong understanding of nutrition in long-term conditions ~ Experience in complex case management and behaviour change ~ Experience working within MDT environments ~ IT skills including GP systems and data tools
Desirable
~ Primary care or community experience ~ Experience in service development and quality improvement ~ Knowledge of population health and health inequalities
Qualifications Essential
~ Hold a BSc or MSc in Dietetics (HCPC approved) ~ Be registered with the HCPC ~ Work within professional and ethical standards ~ Maintain appropriate clinical supervision and CPD
Desirable
~ Non-medical prescribing qualification (or willingness to work towards) ~ Member of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) ~ Specialist training in diabetes or long-term conditions
Skills & Competencies Essential
~ Advanced clinical assessment and decision-making skills ~ Excellent communication and motivational interviewing skills ~ Ability to manage a complex caseload independently ~ Strong organisational and prioritisation skills ~ Ability to analyse clinical data and outcomes
Desirable
~ Group education and facilitation skills ~ Experience supervising or mentoring staff ~ Understanding of prescribing and medicines management
Personal Attributes Essential
~ Patient-centred and compassionate approach ~ Flexible and adaptable ~ Ability to work across organisational boundaries ~ Professional integrity and accountability ~ Resilient and able to manage complexity ~ Ability to travel across PCN sites ~ Confidence to influence and challenge constructively
Desirable
~ Strong leadership presence ~ High emotional intelligence ~ Confidence to influence and challenge constructively
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 Carnon Downs Surgery
Address The Surgery
Bissoe Road
Carnon Downs
Truro
Cornwall
TR3 6JD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.carnondownssurgery.co.uk/index.aspx (Opens in a new tab)