Dietitian; Bariatric Service - Top Dublin hospital

Job Title: Registered Dietitian

Department: Hospital Obesity Service

Reports to: Head of Endoscopy and Service Line Development

Overall Purpose of Job

To provide specialized nutrition assessment, counselling, and ongoing care for patients attending our client hospitals Obesity Service for bariatric surgery or medically supervised weight management programs. The post holder will collaborate with the Bariatric Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), including surgeons, physicians, psychologists, and nurses, to optimize nutritional outcomes, support safe and effective weight loss, and address micronutrient deficiencies and dietary compliance before and after surgery.

This role requires expert knowledge in bariatric nutritional management, obesity-related comorbidities, and long-term nutritional follow-up, alongside proficiency in clinical audit, patient education, and professional development.

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

Clinical Care

Deliver evidence-based, individualized nutrition interventions for patients pre- and post-bariatric surgery (e.g., sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass).

Conduct comprehensive assessments including weight history, eating behaviour, dietary intake, psychological readiness, and biochemical markers.

Guide patients through pre-operative weight loss, post-operative progression diets, and lifelong supplementation protocols.

Monitor micronutrient levels, adjust dietary plans, and communicate concerns with the MDT.

Educate and counsel patients on realistic expectations, behaviour change, and long-term weight management.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Actively participate in bariatric MDT meetings, pre-op case reviews, and surgical follow-ups.

Liaise closely with bariatric surgeons, psychologists, GPs, and nursing staff.

Support coordinated care plans and contribute to integrated patient documentation.

Clinical Governance & Audit

Contribute to the development of bariatric nutrition protocols, guidelines, and patient pathways.

Monitor clinical outcomes (e.g., weight loss, nutritional status, adherence) and participate in quality improvement initiatives and audit cycles.

Ensure all care provided aligns with national obesity management guidelines and Hospital’s standards.

Education and Supervision

Deliver patient education sessions in group and 1:1 setting (e.g., pre-surgery information seminars, long-term follow-up groups).

Mentor student dietitians and new staff in bariatric nutrition care.

Maintain and update patient education resources tailored for bariatric populations.

Documentation and IT

Record clinical activity in Meditech and maintain accurate progress notes.

Use digital systems to track clinical outcomes, dietetic KPIs, and follow-up needs.

The post holder will partake in the Total Quality Management processes thereby contributing to:

The identification of quality/policy/guideline issues.

The evaluation of current practices to best practice.

The setting of standards utilising structure, process and outcome.

All hospital, regional and national audit processes.

The Hospital Wide Accreditation Cycle.

Health Promotion initiatives.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

Utilises effective time management skills.

Maintains professional appearance and dress code.

Complies with guidelines for absence or tardiness.

Attends staff meetings, reads email and other postings.

Attends all required in-services.

All employees are expected to remain flexible to meet the needs of the hospital, which may include floating to other departments to assist as the patient needs fluctuate.

Wears identification badge when working.

Person Specification

Qualifications

B.Sc. or Diploma in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (validated by CORU)

CORU Registration (mandatory)

MSc in Clinical Nutrition, Obesity Management, or similar field (desirable)

Membership of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (preferable)

Experience

Minimum 2 years post-qualification experience with proven expertise in weight management and bariatric surgery support.

Experience working in multidisciplinary care settings.

Knowledge of motivational interviewing, behaviour change models, and long-term patient adherence.

Membership of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute is preferable.

Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge

Professional Knowledge

2 years satisfactory post qualification clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient services.

Ability to evaluate research and literature and to develop evidence-based practice.

Strong interest in ongoing learning and professional development.

Organisational Knowledge

Knowledge and compliance with the work practice carried out by the Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics.

Knowledge of departmental, hospital, professional and relevant public health policies.

Bariatric-Specific Knowledge

In-depth understanding of the nutritional challenges and complications associated with bariatric surgery.

Familiarity with international bariatric nutrition guidelines.

Competence in managing obesity-related comorbidities: type 2 diabetes, NAFLD, PCOS, dyslipidemia, hypertension.

Personal Competencies

High capacity for responsibility.

Team player.

Ability to lead the change process, from problem recognition to change implementation and evaluation. Ability to co-ordinate and motivate self and others in service delivery.

Ability to form effective interpersonal relationships which are sensitive to the diversity of personnel with whom you work.

Ability to provide patients with individualised nutritional care.

Ability to represent and negotiate on behalf of the team.

Well organised with effective time management skills.

Demonstrates initiative.

Apply here with CV and CORU registration for further details.