About this role
Job summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us
Job Title: Specialist Dietitian (Head & Neck Oncology)Contract Type: , Permanent
Main duties of the job
Do you want to work in a fast-paced, dynamic team covering complex head and neck oncology? Then we have the right job for you! We are looking for an HCPC registered dietitian to join our head and neck oncology dietetic team at University Hospitals Southampton. You will join a team of 2 band 7 and 2 other band 6 dietitians working across the acute oncology wards, the head and neck surgical ward, head and neck clinic, radiotherapy and outpatient clinics.
The department of Dietetics and Speech and Language Therapy employs around 130 staff working across acute, community and paediatrics in a range of specialities. Our Oncology unit is one of 12 regional cancer centres in the UK, serving a population of approximately 1.7 million. We have a large radiotherapy unit with 6 linear accelerators, 6 oncology wards, acute oncology unit, chemotherapy units, Macmillian centre, Maggie's centre and multiple outpatient clinics. Southampton is a leading centre for cancer research and clinical trials.
About us
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. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. 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 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
Job description Job responsibilities
WHAT YOULL DO
Be responsible for the specialist provision of a dietetic service to head and neck cancer patients undergoing multiple modality oncology treatment. Work in a variety of clinical settings including acute surgical wards, acute oncology wards, radiotherapy clinic, chemotherapy outpatients and head and neck multidisciplinary clinic. Provide complex nutritional support to patients with head and neck cancer including management of enteral feeding, complex home enteral feeding discharges, and nutritional management of radiotherapy/chemotherapy related side effects. Work with an experienced team of oncology dietitians covering upper GI, head and neck, haematology, teenage young adults, gynaecology, chemotherapy and general oncology patients. Be a key member of the multidisciplinary teams working closely with head and neck surgeons and oncologists, advanced nurse practitioners, speech and language therapists, advanced radiographers and ward nurses. You will also be required to liaise closely with members of the head and neck oncology teams at other hospitals. Provide educational talks on the importance of nutrition in oncology to inform patients, nurses and doctors. Be involved with the supervision and support of dietitians, dietetic assistants and student dietitians.
WHAT WERE LOOKING FORWe are looking for someone who has a keen interest in oncology, 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 long-term condition and be aware of the psychological impact this may have. You should have experience of working with nutritional support patients requiring enteral nutrition. Experience of working with oncology patients is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided.
Person Specification
Qualifications, knowledge and experience Essential
Degree or equivalent in Nutrition and Dietetics HCPC (Health and Care professions Council) registered dietitian (RD) Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing CPD and development in relevant areas Evidence of relevant dietetic knowledge and expertise with recent experience demonstrating this Ability to communicate complex information fluently, confidently and effectively to a diverse range of people: e.g., with patients, carers, managers and other health care professionals Ability to demonstrate a practical and sensitive approach and flexibility in working style when applying clinical judgement to complex clinical issues Ability to create rapport and professionally manage relationships with colleagues, patients and carers and the emotional challenges this presents Demonstrate a holistic approach to treatment Ability to cope with unpredictable events and varying clinical and non-clinical work pressures, independently planning and prioritising own workload, managing own time and meeting deadlines
Desirable
Member of British Dietetic Association (BDA) and relevant specialist groups Experience mentoring or supervising dietetic assistants or junior staff Experience and involvement with dietetic student training Experience of audit/project work Ability to cover "out of hours" commitments on agreed occasions
Skills and competencies Essential
Presentation skills Teamwork Microsoft Office skills Communication Record keeping Attention to detail Interpersonal skills Organisational skills Prioritisation Keyboard skills Numeracy skills
Trust Values Essential
Patients First Always Improving Working Together
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 University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
Address Southampton General Hospital
Tremona Road
Southampton
SO16 6YD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)