Dietician

Overview

Dietitians are healthcare professionals that diagnose and treat diet and nutritional problems, both at an individual patient and wider public health level. Working in a variety of settings with patients of all ages, dietitians support changes to food intake to address diabetes, food allergies, coeliac disease, and metabolic diseases. Dietitians also translate public health and scientific research on food, health, and disease into practical guidance to enable people to make appropriate lifestyle and food choices (NHSE, 2024)

Scope of Practice

Job Responsibilities

Dietitians are able to support patients with a range of conditions. This range will include the following*:

Diabetes (which may include assessing levels of motivation to support identification of appropriateness for very low-calorie diet programmes)
Weight management
Frailty
Functional bowel disorders and Coeliac disease

*This list may be expanded to include other areas of practice, such as paediatrics, dependent on the dietitians’ training, experience and scope of practice.

Entry Requirements

BSc in or pre-reg MSc in Dietetics
3 – 5 years post graduate
Registered member of the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)
Able to operate at an advanced level of practice

Training and Development

Standard (on entry to Primary Care)

First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Recognition

Dietitians working as First Contact Practitioners (FCPs) are expected to work towards and maintain the knowledge, skills and capabilities outlined within the NHS England FCP Musculoskeletal Roadmap. The roadmap provides a nationally recognised development pathway for clinicians working in primary care and supports progression towards advanced level practice.

FCP Dietitians work as part of the primary care multidisciplinary team, supporting people with nutritional, metabolic and diet-related health needs through assessment, advice, intervention and referral where appropriate.

The FCP Roadmap

The NHS England Dietitians FCP Roadmap sets out the knowledge, skills and attributes required to safely assess and manage undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations within primary care. The roadmap consists of two stages:

Stage 1

Demonstration of the required knowledge, skills and attributes (KSAs) at Level 7.
This may be achieved through recognised taught learning, supported portfolio routes or a combination of both.

Stage 2

Application of these capabilities within primary care practice.
Supported through workplace supervision, portfolio development and workplace-based assessment.
Includes reflective practice, patient feedback and evidence of capability within the clinical role.

Successful completion of both stages provides recognised FCP capability and demonstrates that the practitioner is working at the required standard for First Contact Practice in primary care.

Education providers

A number of higher education institutions offer programmes and modules aligned to the NHS England FCP Dietitians Roadmap. The availability, content and funding arrangements for these programmes may change over time, therefore prospective learners are advised to contact providers directly for the latest information.

Current NHS England funded providers include:

Health Sciences University (formally known as AECC)
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)

Additional Training and Career Development

As Dietitians progress in their careers, they may choose to undertake additional education and training to further develop their scope of practice within primary care. This may include development through First Contact Practitioner (FCP), Advanced Practice and other specialist pathways.

Advanced Practice

For Dietitians wishing to progress beyond First Contact Practitioner level, NHS England provides a recognised route to Advanced Practice. Advanced Practitioners work with a high degree of autonomy and demonstrate capability across the four pillars of advanced practice: clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research. For information on Advanced Practice pathways, education requirements, supervision and available funding opportunities, please visit the Training Hubs Advanced Practice page

Supervision Requirements

Effective supervision is essential to support safe practice, professional development and high-quality patient care. Dietitians working within primary care should have access to appropriate supervision arrangements that support both their clinical practice and ongoing learning.

Supervision may take a number of forms:

Practice supervision – day-to-day support from an experienced clinician for issues arising during clinical practice.
Clinical or professional supervision – regular structured support to promote professional development, clinical decision-making and reflective practice.
Educational supervision – support for learners undertaking formal education programmes, FCP Roadmap development or Advanced Practice training.

Dietitians should have access to a named supervisor and appropriate support within their practice, PCN or organisation. This may be a senior Dietitian, GP or another suitably experienced healthcare professional, depending on the individual’s role, learning needs and scope of practice.

As a minimum, regular supervision should be scheduled throughout employment. For those undertaking the First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Roadmap or Advanced Practice training, additional supervision, reflection and workplace-based learning opportunities should be incorporated into their development plan.

First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Supervision

Practitioners undertaking the NHS England Paramedic FCP Roadmap require appropriate workplace supervision to support the development and assessment of the knowledge, skills and attributes required for FCP practice.

Practice-based supervisors play an important role in supporting learners through the roadmap process, including:

Supporting portfolio development.
Facilitating workplace-based learning and assessment.
Providing feedback and reflective opportunities.
Confirming evidence of capability within clinical practice.
Working with education providers as part of quality assurance and verification processes where applicable.

Further information can be found in the following NHS England resources:

Please note that NHS England continues to update FCP and Advanced Practice guidance. Employers, supervisors and practitioners should refer to the latest national guidance when establishing supervision arrangements.

ARRS Funding

Where eligible, reimbursement for Dietitian roles is available through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) in line with current NHS England guidance and the Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES).

Please note that ARRS eligibility criteria, reimbursement arrangements and role requirements may change. Employers should always refer to the latest NHS England guidance.

Training and development funding

Dietitians may be eligible for NHS England funded education and training opportunities, including First Contact Practitioner and Advanced Practice development. Availability of funding varies and is subject to national and regional commissioning arrangements.

For current funding opportunities, please contact the Training Hub.

Recruitment and Workforce Information

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) employing or engaging a Dietitian through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) should ensure the individual meets the current NHS England eligibility and role requirements for the role. NHS England » Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES).

See more information in above ‘Funding section’.

Recruitment and Workforce Resources

The resources within this section are intended to support the recruitment, onboarding and integration of Dietitians within primary care and multidisciplinary teams.

Dietitians in Primary care: A guide for general Practice

Dietitian Job description example (NHSE)

Dietitian Job description example (BDA)

The British Dietetic Association has a Dietitians Jobs website

NHSE Example Induction Checklist

BDA Primary care Webinars