Nutrition Advisor

Job Introduction

‘The Weigh Ahead’ is a Specialist Tier 3 Weight Management Service, winning an Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) best practice award in 2018. We provide an intensive level of support to patients through a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals. Delivered by Spire Healthcare, for whom Vita Health Group run Primary Care services, the service is conducted remotely via video-link and face to face, using group and 121 formats, we provide a service to NHS patients referred by their GP.

The programme is tailored to specific needs over 6 months and incorporates the required elements of evidence-based interventions, supporting patients who fully engage to achieve a weight loss of at least 5% of their excess body weight and sustain this over the years ahead.  The programme also aims to assist patients in meeting their personal health improvement goals and supporting them in making vital lifestyle changes in preparation for bariatric surgery.  

We are offering a part-time maternity cover role and a full-time permanent role. The ideal candidates will have nutrition and lifestyle qualifications and a passion for working with obese patients in the delivery of a weight management programme incorporating nutrition, physical activity and psychological therapy. You will be working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and tailor the programme to patients according to their health needs. 

Principle duties:

• Provide patients with a motivational interview, prior to their commencement of the weight management programme to advise them on what the program offers, check their eligibility and assess their readiness to change
• Assess the dietary needs of patients referred 
• Provide specific, tailored nutrition advice to patients to enable them to help meet their weight loss and health goals, via 121 and group delivery.
• Provide support to patients enabling them with tools to adopt new lifestyle behaviours, and coping strategies for relapse and maintenance.
• Analyse food diaries and devise an individualised healthy eating plan.
• Be able to provide accurate nutrition advice specifically tailored to patient’s medical conditions (within the confines of your role) such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
• Actively and empathetically support patients through their weight management programme.
• Liaise with team members and other relevant healthcare professionals to facilitate the best care pathway for your patient.
• Regularly meet with the MDT to discuss patient caseloads.
• Keep accurate, detailed records of the outcomes of all patient sessions undertaken and advice given.
• To ensure patient and hospital confidentiality is maintained at all times and patient information is secured.

Other duties:

• To ensure patient and hospital confidentiality is maintained at all times and patient information is secured. 
• Ensure relevant information is available for audit purposes.
• To liaise with other hospitals, GPs, patients and internal departments
• To participate in performance reviews including the agreement of objectives and personal development plan with Line Manager.
• Attend all team meetings and training sessions, liaising with other staff where necessary to ensure the effectiveness of a patient’s pathway in the Service. 
• Provide feedback on potential service improvements in terms of quality, structure and patient experience

 Skills and Experience:

Essential 

• Recognised qualification in nutrition and/or weight management or in providing dietetic advice (ideally AfN accredited).
• Knowledge and experience in providing health, nutrition and lifestyle advice.
• Experience of applying behaviour change techniques for lifestyle management in any of these disciplines:  weight management, smoking, alcohol, stress, mental health or physical activity.
• Caring, empathetic and non- judgemental qualities.
• Flexible with working patterns to meet the requirements of the service and the ability to adapt to a dynamic environment.
• Competent in using IT – specifically Excel and Word computer packages.

 Desirable

• Degree in nutrition or dietetics, health promotion, health sciences etc (AfN Accredited)
• Counselling or behaviour change skills and experience would be a useful addition. 

About Us

As part of Spire Healthcare, we’re proud to build on a legacy of improving lives for over 30 years and continue to deliver primary care physical and mental health services accessed through the NHS, via employer-funded care and at our network of private clinics. 

Working here

We are an award-winning employer regularly recognised at industry events and our latest employee survey revealed the top reasons for working here as:

• Supportive teams and managers
• A positive and inclusive culture
• Strong well-being and mental health support
• Trust, autonomy and flexibility

We invest in your growth with frequent career progression opportunities and development initiatives including mentoring, secondments, management training and regular clinical CPD webinars. You will enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options and a comprehensive benefits package – further details here Careers - Vita Health Group

Equality Diversity & Inclusion

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We actively support a range of initiatives including:

• Disability Confident Leader
• Positive action through Ethnicity and Gender Matters initiatives
• Employer with Heart and Mindful Employer status
• Menopause Friendly accreditation

Learn more about our EDI commitments here Equality, Diversity & Inclusion - Vita Health Group.

If you need any adjustments or assistance during the recruitment process we will be happy to help - please get in touch at recruitment@vhg.co.uk

Additional information

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in the UK and subject to a DBS check at offer stage.

Your application data is handled securely in accordance to UK GDPR guidelines.

We may close jobs to new applications earlier than original stated closing date.