About this role
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated dietitian to join The Christie Nutrition and Dietetic Team on a Band 7 fixed-term contract or secondment (33.5 hours per week) for 12 months to cover maternity leave. This post is the clinical lead for the Head and Neck Outpatient Dietetic Service, working alongside the Band 7 Head and Neck Dietitian leads. You will work as part of a highly skilled and supportive Head and Neck MDT within our world-class cancer centre, while also contributing to the wider Nutrition and Dietetic Service. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and developing the outpatient Head and Neck dietetic service, providing expert nutritional assessment and intervention throughout the patient pathway. The role includes service development, quality improvement, and supporting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care.
Main duties of the job
As a senior specialist oncology dietitian, you willo Be clinically responsible for the nutritional care and management of head and neck outpatients and independently plan organise and prioritise patient related and professional demands daily.o To act as a specialised resource on nutrition and cancer for head and neck patients, carers, medical staff, nursing staff, and other health care professionals associated with the Christie Hospital and at regional and national level.o To provide education and training to medical staff, nursing staff and other health care professionals in the Trust.o To provide support and supervision to band 6 rotation dietitians.o To take an active role in the research and audit.
About us
The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 25% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We are the largest radiotherapy provider in the NHS with one in 20 treatments delivered at The Christie. We have up to 15 linear accelerators operating across our network of sites. We operate the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK on our main site and treatments are also provided at 13 other networked sites, and in patients homes. And as a specialist tertiary surgical centre, we focus on rare cancers, complex procedures, and multidisciplinary approaches to cancer surgery, specialising in colorectal, peritoneal, gynaecological, urological and plastic surgery.
We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years. We have been named by the UK's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), as one of the best hospitals providing opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research studies, with more than 800 studies open at any time, caring for over 3,000 patients.
Job description Job responsibilities Duties and Responsibilties
1. To be clinically responsible for a highly complex area of work, as agreed with the dietetic manager and independently plan, organise and prioritise patient related and professional demands.
2. To develop the head and neck dietetic service alongside the other band 7 head and neck dietitians with the support of the dietetic manager.
3. To work alongside the band 7 proton head and neck outpatient dietitian and provide cover when required including an evening clinic.
4. To nutritionally assess head and neck oncology patients by interpreting and evaluating anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary data, whilst considering the patients social and ethnic circumstances, prognosis and treatment.
5. To convey complex specialised dietary advice and lifestyle changes, to head and neck oncology patients and carers using advanced counselling and communication skills.
6. To diagnose malnutrition and to liaise with the appropriate consultant, with an aim of optimising treatment outcome, by recommending the appropriate method of nutrition intervention and reducing risk of Refeeding Syndrome.
7. To attend appropriate multidisciplinary meetings and outpatient clinics and wards to provide expert advice to clinicians regarding provision of nutritional support for head and neck oncology patients and carers based on clinical evidence.
8. To communicate, liaise and advise the head and neck team, key workers, nursing staff, AHPs and other health care professionals on the appropriateevidence based nutrition care plan.
9. To prescribe the appropriate dietary regimen for head and neck oncology patients using evidence-based practice and to manage, monitor and re-evaluate the treatment plan as necessary.
10. To refer patients to other services for monitoring and therapeutic support following discharge.
11. To work with the catering department to ensure suitable meal provision to meet the special needs of the oncology patient in line with national standards.
12. To initiate, facilitate and coordinate the setting up of a home enteral feed to ensure a safe discharge.
13. To be responsible for the ordering, delivery and monitoring of specialist nutritional supplements (ACBS endorsed) for individual client needs.
14. To write, deliver and evaluate internal and external education and training sessions on head and neck nutrition and specialist dietetics in relation to oncology to medical staff, nursing staff, AHPs, dietitians, other health care professionals, patients, and carers.
15. To act as a clinical educator by participating in student dietetic placements.
16. To provide supervision to allocated band 6 dietitians daily, carrying out regular one to one meetings, and carrying out annual PDR process.
17. To take an active role in the research and audit.
18. To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up to date documentation on individual patients in line with local and national standards and be responsible for the appropriate storage of d with the Health Care Professions Council (H.C.P.C) and trust policy on confidentiality.
19. To record and submit patient data and statistics as required by the manager and provide information for annual reports and service development and planning.
20. To attend and participate in departmental, professional update meetings and trust nutrition related meetings leading them when required.
21. To attend and contribute to the trust nutrition steering committee.
22. To be responsible for own clinical professional development (CPD) to maintain competency and to ensure best practice.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
BSc Nutrition & Dietetics or BSc degree in relevant science subject plus Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics HCPC registration Clinical supervision training Masters level or equivalent courses e.g. Advanced course in nutritional support (e.g., BDA PEN course)
Desirable
Evidence of post-graduate specialist counselling skills course in oncology, bereavement counselling or breaking bad news
Experience Essential
Recent NHS experience of working in head & neck cancer Recent experience in palliative care Extensive experience of enteral and nutrition and home enteral feeding Presentations/ talks to large groups Clinical supervision Demonstrate evidence in Leadership Evidence of leading a small team, or direct line management of junior staff Experience in setting up patient pathways /service Evidence of recent CPD Evidence of recent audit/ research experience Evidence of multidisciplinary team working Student training
Desirable
Experience of leading or co-ordinating audit or research work Presented to conferences
Skills Essential
Excellent oral and written communication skills Good presentation skills and evidence of presentations to large groups Standard keyboard skills Ability to work effectively single-handed with individuals and groups Good organisational and time management skills Accurate anthropometrics measurement skills Ability to interpret complex information Evidence of leadership skills Supervision skills
Knowledge Essential
Understanding the complex effects of head and neck cancer and treatments on nutritional status of patients Conversant with enteral feeding systems Excellent up to date knowledge in head and neck cancer and current treatments Sound knowledge of current issues relating to cancer and nutrition support Knowledge of clinical governance Knowledge of national head and neck oncology strategies/ polices/ guidance / pathways Evidence of oncology / nutrition support courses
Values Essential
Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours
Other Essential
Self-motivated, reliable Able to recognise own limitations Positive mindset in respect of supporting organisational change; learning, and continuous improvement Effective interpersonal and intrapersonal skills including high degree of self -awareness and self-regulation Willingness to support preregistration students Demonstrate empathy, sensitivity and tact with patients and their families
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name The Christie NHS FT
Address Dietetics - E00274
Manchester
M20 4BX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.christie.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)