Job summary
An opportunity has arisen to join our friendly, forward thinking and collaborative team at South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. Our Dietetic Department of more than 55 staff is managed as one team, but is structured into smaller teams led by Senior Specialist Dietitians. We are actively involved in the training of Trainee Dietitians and offer A, B and C placements for both Leeds Beckett and Newcastle University.

This is a rotational post and there will be opportunities to shadow specialists working in renal medicine, diabetes, paediatrics, gastroenterology, critical care, Head & Neck, bariatrics, peri-op surgical, and stroke. CPD is actively encouraged with good post-graduate education and training opportunities.

We are looking to recruit a self-motivated and committed Dietitian to join our friendly and proactive department. This post will include inpatient work in nutrition support, general medicine, general surgery and elderly care. The successful candidate will also be responsible for delivering outpatient clinics, providing dietetic advice and support for patients and their carers referred regarding nutritional support, diabetes and weight management.

Our department recognises the importance of work life balance, and we actively support flexible working, in line with service need.

Transport links to Newcastle city centre via Metro. Prospective applicants are welcome to contact the department for any further information.

Main duties of the job
This role sits within the Dietetic acute team. It will provide variety to those looking to gain well rounded experience in both inpatient and outpatient services. A working week will typically include outpatient clinics and daily ward sessions, so applicants need to have an interest in working across these settings and good organisation skills to balance the workload. There will be training provided to ensure that the successful candidate feels confident to carry out their clinical tasks independently as well as regular one to one's where developmental goals can be highlighted and supported. The Nutrition and Dietetics department has excellent working links with the wider MDT and we are looking for an applicant who is confident in communicating with a range of professionals.

There will be an element of cross site working, however, where the successful applicant is based can be negotiated. To aid with cross site working, there is a free shuttle bus between the Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District General and both sites are close to metro stops.

The department is friendly and supportive and encourage CPD, including regular clinical supervision and evidence based practice groups. New graduates will be supported through the preceptorship programme by a buddy who will meet them regularly and provide guidance.

The post-holder must have NHS experience (includes clinical placement).

This post is subject to satisfactory DBS check at Enhanced level.

Job responsibilities

• To manage a caseload of inpatients. Band 5s are given a variety of wards to ensure that they are getting good experience in different areas of Dietetics. These may include respiratory, haematology, endocrinology as well as general medicine and COTE.
• To complete outpatient clinics once per week. These will contain a mix of nutrition support, Type 2 Diabetes, IBS etc. There will be an opportunity to take coeliac clinics too, for which training will be provided.
• Partake in a rotation once per week. The rotations are 6 months long and are based within a speciality that the band 5 finds interesting. Rotations available include critical care, gastroenterology, renal, bariatrics, paediatrics, diabetes, stroke, head and neck cancer and surgical.
• New graduates are supported within their first 6 months through the preceptorship programme, meeting an assigned buddy dietitian and compiling a portfolio of progress.
• The department takes A, B and C students. The post holder will be encouraged to take an active role in student training once established in their role.
• To comply with the Trusts Vision, Values and Behaviours.

Person Specification
Essential

• Some experience of providing dietetic support to inpatients and outpatients
• Able to prioritise a busy workload
• Have the ability to travel to various locations across Sunderland
• Able to present information, written and orally, clearly and logically to individuals or groups
• Able to apply sound knowledge in a practical manner
• Able to use different skills to bring about compliance depending upon patient needs
• Good interpersonal skills
• Willing to work as part of a team
• Flexibility
• Self-motivated and committed
• Able to work on own initiative
• Degree or Post-Graduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics
• State Registration to Health Care Professions Council
• Knowledge of professional boundaries
• Understanding of Professional Code of Conduct and application in practice

Desirable

• Post registration dietetic experience
• Experience of using Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST)
• Car driver and access to a vehicle for work purposes
• IT skills including data input, word processing, powerpoint and dietary analysis
• Presentation skills
• Forward thinking and proactive
• Enjoy working autonomously
• Knowledge of audit and research methods

Employer details
Employer: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Closing date: 11 November 2026

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. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.