About this role
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Dietitian to join our team of 16 specialist Oncology Dietitians at Addenbrooke's Hospital as our Band 7 Head and Neck Team Lead.
This is an exciting opportunity for a Dietitian with Oncology experience to take a leadership role in the delivery and development of Specialist Dietetic Services for patients with head and neck cancer.
This is an exciting period of development for cancer services in Cambridge, including the development of the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. The new hospital represents a major opportunity to transform cancer care, research and innovation, bringing together specialist clinical services and research to improve outcomes for patients.
You will have the opportunity to contribute to this evolving cancer landscape and help shape the future delivery of specialist nutritional care for people affected by head and neck cancer.
This role provides an excellent opportunity to combine specialist clinical practice, leadership, education and service development within a busy Tertiary Oncology Centre. You will be joining a supportive and forward-thinking dietetic service where your expertise will help shape the delivery of care for patients with head and neck cancer.
If you are an experienced Dietitian looking for an opportunity to lead a specialist service, develop innovative pathways and contribute to the future of cancer care in Cambridge, then we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
You will lead the Head and Neck Oncology Dietetic Team, working closely with our multidisciplinary colleagues to provide high-quality, evidence-based nutritional care throughout the patient pathway. Our Head and Neck Oncology Team comprises of a Band 7 Lead, a Band 6, a rotational B6 and a Dietetic Assistant.
You will support patients undergoing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, managing the complex nutritional challenges associated with Head and Neck Cancer. This will include supporting patients with dysphagia, treatment-related toxicities, enteral feeding and the transition between different stages of treatment and recovery.
As the Band 7 Lead, you will provide professional leadership to the Head and Neck Oncology Dietetic Team and contribute to the ongoing development of specialist pathways, standards and models of care. You will work closely with colleagues across Dietetics, Oncology, Surgery, Radiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Nursing and the wider multidisciplinary team.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 11000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description Job responsibilities
Addenbrookes Hospital is a tertiary referral centre, providing highly specialised cancer care to patients from across the region. The role offers the opportunity to work within a complex and dynamic oncology environment, with strong links within the MDT and also to our regional colleagues and services, supporting collaborative approaches to patient care and service development.
The Oncology Team comprises of 5 sub teams; Head and Neck, Upper GI, Haem-Onc and Stem Cell Transplant, HPB and Lung / Colorectal. The team is lead be a Principal Dietitian and each sub team has a Band 7 Lead and includes a rotational Band 6 post.
This is an onsite position involved in clinical care. Although we operate flexible working, the Department hours are 0900 1700 and you will need to be available to work within these hours.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) is an internationally renowned teaching hospital based on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, housing Royal Papworth Hospital, Astra Zeneca, MRC and the Institute for Public Health; all linking with CUH.
The Department has a thriving and well-regarded Research Group and has supported staff with post graduate qualifications.
Several of our staff house-share to make Cambridge friendly and affordable; on-site accommodation may also be an option.
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
applied for a Graduate visa or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment The advert will close at midnight on 13 September 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on 30 September 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
State Registered Dietitian Appropriate diploma / degree to Masters level, such as Masters in Advanced Dietetic Practice or equivalent level of knowledge and experience Strong evidence of CPD (portfolio) with evidence of training in specialist clinical area
Desirable
BDA Oncology Group member Undertaken courses accredited by professional body relevant to the post Evidence of post-graduate specialist counselling skills course in Oncology, Bereavement Counselling or Breaking Bad News
Experience Essential
Significant level of general experience plus clinical experience in Head and Neck Oncology and nutrition support within a busy acute environment Proven ability to perform at Band 7 level and work independently Proven development work Talks / Presentation to large groups MDT work, training and point of reference for MDT in clinical speciality Experience supporting / mentoring junior members of staff Student training Evidence of audit and/or research
Desirable
Speaker at training days / conferences Experience in setting up patient pathways / service Experience using electronic patient records
Skills Essential
Excellent verbal and written communication skills / interpersonal skills Be prepared to deal with sensitive and complex issues Be able to remain calm and able to concentrate intensely through distressing and emotional interviews Able to convey highly complex ideas in easily understood language Be able to function in clinical situations with many people Able to prioritise the needs of patients and colleagues Demonstrates potential to work on own initiative Pays attention to detail Able to demonstrate leadership attributes and lead a team Computer literate and adaptable to use a wide range of software
Desirable
Trained and competent in extended clinical role of balloon gastrostomy tube feeding, care and removal
Additional Requirements Essential
The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent. Demonstrates trust values and expresses interest in working in CUH Dietetics Ability to undertake on-call duties Works well under pressure
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 Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)