Advanced Dietitian (Head and Neck Oncology)

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for a detailed job description for the role.

Main duties of the job

Due to maternity leave we have an exciting opportunity for an Advanced Dietitian to join our oncology team to specialise in dietetic treatment of patients with Head and Neck Cancer. The role will focus on dietetic management of patients with Head and Neck cancers undergoing surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy.

We are a dedicated team of Dietitians and Speech and Language Therapists employing approximately 130 staff, with clinical experts working in a range of specialties. You will join a team of friendly supportive oncology dietitians and work closely with the other Head and Neck Specialist Dietitians with the overall support of the Oncology Team Lead Dietitian. You will be a key member of the Head and Neck MDT closely working with Specialist Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists and Consultants to improve patient outcomes along their whole treatment pathway.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Our Oncology unit is one of 12 regional cancer centres in the UK, serving a population of around 1.7million people. The Head and Neck service specialises in the investigation and multimodality treatment of patients with head and neck malignancy.

What You’ll Do

You will be a key member of the Head and Neck multidisciplinary team.

You Will

• Be responsible for the specialist provision of a dietetic service to patients undertaking treatment for head and neck cancers.
• Work with the oncology lead dietitian on developing the head and neck service
• Work in a variety of clinical settings including acute oncology wards, chemotherapy and radiotherapy outpatient departments and out-patient clinics
• Provide complex nutritional support and supportive dietary advice to patients with head and neck cancers
• Work with an experienced team of oncology dietitians covering a range of clinical specialities including haematology, CAR-T, Gynae-oncology, and UGI
• Be a key member of the multidisciplinary teams working closely with oncology/surgical consultants, Clinical nurse specialists, ward nurses, Speech and Language Therapists
• Provide educational talks on the importance of nutrition in Head and Neck cancer to inform patients, nurses, and junior doctors.
• Be involved with the supervision and support of junior dietitians, dietetic assistants, and dietetic students.
  
  

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who has a keen interest in acute dietetics and nutrition support, with evidence of relevant, strong clinical skills. Flexibility, ability to prioritise and manage a busy, complex caseload is essential. You must have excellent communication skills as well as an empathic nature to help patients manage their condition and be aware of the psychological impact this may have. You should have extensive experience of working with complex nutritional support patients requiring enteral nutrition in the acute setting.

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together
  
  

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Presentation skills
• Microsoft Office skills
• Communication
• Record keeping
• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills
• Organisational skills
• Keyboard skills
• Numercy skills
• Policy development
• Report writing
• Leadership
• Mentoring skills
  
  

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• Degree or equivalent in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
• HCPC (Health and Care professions Council) registered dietitian (RD)
• Evidence of post-graduate training in relevant speciality
• Experience of supervising staff
• Experience and involvement with training
• Evidence of extensive dietetic knowledge and highly specialist expertise in relevant specialist area with recent experience demonstrating this
• Ability to carry out physical anthropometric measurements and assess nutritional status
• Demonstration of understanding of clinical governance and its implications for service delivery
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Member of British Dietetic Association (BDA) and relevant specialist groups
• Experience of leading or co-ordinating audit or research work.
• Clinical supervisory skills training