Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Apprentice Dietetic Assistant Practitioner
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North Bristol NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust Merger
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognises the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
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Job Overview
This is an exciting opportunity to join our supportive Nutrition and Dietetics team as an Apprentice Dietetic Assistant Practitioner. You will combine academic learning with practical clinical experience as part of a structured three-year apprenticeship.
As you progress through your apprenticeship and demonstrate your competencies, you will take on increasing responsibility within agreed protocols and under appropriate supervision. You will gain experience across clinical settings, developing skills in patient care, communication, clinical reasoning, record keeping&contributing to service improvement.
Please Note, Applicants Must Meet All Apprenticeship Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a UK or EEA citizen and have lived in the county for the last 3 years or a non EEA/UK citizen with right to work in the county with evidence that you have lived in the UK for the previous 3 years.
- Must have legal right to work in the UK for the duration of the apprenticeship (relevant visas must permit work and study)
- Must NOT be in full time education by starting date of apprenticeship
- Must NOT hold an equivalent or higher previous qualification in a related subject to the apprenticeship being offered
- Must be able to evidence GCSE A* -D or equivalent qualification in English and Maths & a Level 3 qualification (e.g. NVQ, RQF Level 3, A-level or equivalent)
- The apprenticeship includes a minimum of 20% of your working time dedicated to education, alongside additional study in your own time.
Main Duties of the Job
As an Apprentice Dietetic Assistant Practitioner, you will work as part of the Nutrition and Dietetics team, supporting the delivery of safe, effective and person-centred nutritional care under the supervision of qualified Dietitians.
Your Main Duties Will Include
- Supporting Dietitians with the assessment and management of patients’ nutritional needs.
- Collecting and monitoring nutritional intake, food charts and patient weights, and reporting findings to Dietitians.
- Supporting the implementation and monitoring of individual treatment and therapy plans within agreed competencies and protocols.
- Communicating sensitively with patients, relatives and carers, including those with communication barriers.
- Gathering and sharing relevant clinical information with Dietitians and the wider multidisciplinary team.
- Maintaining accurate, timely and confidential patient records and entering information onto clinical systems.
- Developing clinical reasoning and decision-making skills, recognising barriers to progress and escalating concerns appropriately.
- Supporting the provision and effective use of nutritional products, equipment and resources.
- Contributing to patient, carer and staff education as competencies develop.
- Participating in audits, research, service development and quality improvement.
- Completing academic study, clinical placements and workplace competencies as part of the apprenticeship.
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Working for our Organisation
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.
With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.
Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and carers using:
- Active listening, persuasion, reassurance, tact, and sensitivity.
- Methods to overcome barriers to understanding (e.g., for clients with language impairment).
- Support patients with communication barriers to actively participate in shared decision-making with their MDT.
- Advocate in situations of concern and risk, ensuring a person-centred approach to reduce harm and improve patient experience.
- Gather, understand, and communicate relevant clinical information to the MDT and local services, contributing to the patient pathway of care and onward discharge.
- Communicate confidentially with healthcare professionals verbally and in writing, accurately documenting patient care.
Use clinical reasoning skills and analyses developed through apprenticeship learning to:
- Evaluate patient responses.
- Identify barriers to progress.
- Adapt delegated interventions within agreed competency frameworks and departmental protocols.
- Use initiative to implement patient treatment plans but always work within departmental protocols and procedures under direct and indirect supervision.
- Seek valid consent from patients to engage, gather, discuss, and assess therapeutic observations.
- May carry own clinical caseload as part of an overall plan devised by the RD varying the therapy plan within the scope of protocols without needing to refer back to the RD.
- Use clinical reasoning to evaluate patient responses, identify barriers to progress, and adapt interventions within agreed frameworks.
- Escalate inappropriate or concerning matters to the Senior Specialist Dietitian or other qualified staff for formal review.
- Plan and organize the working day in conjunction with a supervisor to ensure efficient time management.
- Regularly collect and monitor inpatients’ nutritional intake and food charts.
- Discuss food choices with patients to establish intake/preferences.
- Monitor patient weights and organize supplement provision.
- Report back to dietitians as per protocol.
- Transcribe blood test results and highlight abnormal results.
- Assess food intake using computer-based nutritional analysis.
- Support the delivery of dietetics education, and training programmes.
- Seek valid consent from patients for assessments and interventions.
- Use a person-centred approach to reduce harm and improve patient experience.
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Person Specification
Education And Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Minimum of 5 GCSE grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in Maths and English or Functional Skills Level 2
- Level 3 Qualification or equivalent i.e A Levels Grade D & above / NVQ3 / T Level
Desirable criteria
- A Level or equivalent in Biology or Chemistry
- NVQ Level 3/QCF in Food or health-related subject
- Completion of Care Certificate
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of using initiative while working under supervision
- Experience of working with people, able to demonstrate calm, caring patient manner / attitude
- Experience of working as a healthcare support worker or similar, able to demonstrate an awareness of healthcare work
Desirable criteria
- Experience in a healthcare environment with nutrition influence.
- Experience of presenting to a group
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- Effective communication skills, including with patients with communication barriers
- Ability to work under instruction and within a team.
- Ability to prioritize workload and maintain good relationships
- Computer skills, including data entry and use of Patient Administration System
- Willingness to learn and adapt within a structured training program.
Desirable criteria
- Presentation skills: the ability to present in front of a group
We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.
As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
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