South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Specialist Dietitian (Surgery)
The closing date is 25 November 2026
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Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for a Dietitian to join our committed and enthusiastic team to be a Specialist Dietitian to support surgery.

You will cover the colorectal and vascular surgical wards and will include a varied caseload including a mix of IBD, patients with new stomas, post-operative ileus and individuals with complex feeding needs including TPN. There are already good links within the colorectal Team, and you will be working closely with the stoma and specialist nutrition nurses in addition to the surgeons and wider MDT. The Hospital has a well-established Nutrition team including specialist nurses, surgeons, pharmacy, dietitians and gastroenterologists and you would be expected to attend these meetings weekly and contribute to updating policy, as well as be responsible for training of MDT in terms of complex nutrition support in surgical patients.

Part of this role will be to look at improving the dietetic support available to patients throughout their peri-operative journey. This will include linking in with patient's pre-op, reviewing them whilst an inpatient and then following them up on discharge. The aims of this will be better continuity of care for patients and improvement in outcomes. Outcome measures and audit will be undertaken to ensure that it was having a positive impact on the service user.

CPD is actively encouraged with good post-graduate education and training opportunities.

Main duties of the job
Nutrition & Dietetics sit under the Therapies Directorate within Clinical Support. The Department operates Monday Friday and we do support flexible working if this meets needs of service.

This role will sit within the Dietetic acute team that consists of a dietetic assistant practitioner, dietetic support workers, dietitians, specialist dietitians, and senior specialist dietitians. As an integral part of the acute team, you will work closely with Dietitians and a range of healthcare professionals across the wider MDT. We support clinical supervision and support with additional Courses/training days related to the role.

South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is a large organisation in the North East of England and has two main sites South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital. The Dietetic Department of more than 50 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.

You must therefore possess a Degree in Nutrition & Dietetics and registration with the HCPC.

About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details
Date posted: 11 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: C9155-CSAHP-1126-26
Job locations: Trust Headquarters, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Sunderland, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom; STSFT South Tyneside District Hospital, SOUTH SHIELDS, NE34 0PL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
To work as an autonomous HCPC registered Dietitian, to provide evidence based Dietetic Services working as part of a patient focused specialist multidisciplinary team.
PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BSc Dietetics or PG Diploma in Dietetics.
• HCPC Registered.
• Evidence of CPD.
• Knowledge of audit and application to clinical practice.

Skills
Essential

• Ability to translate complex dietary information into easy language.
• Presentation / teaching skills.
• Anthropometric skills.
• Excellent oral and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret biochemistry in relation to disease.
• IT skills.
• Clinical supervisory skills.

Desirable

• Understanding of the wider skills and knowledge required for the assessment and treatment of people referred for nutrition support.

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Ability to manage a busy and varied caseload.
• Ability to undertake anthropometric measurements.

Attitude
Essential

• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Flexibility.
• Confident and persuasive.
• Forward thinking and proactive.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of TPN & surgery.
• Experience of working in multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Developing/evaluating a service.
• Supervising students/staff.

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Trust Headquarters, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Sunderland, SR4 7TP, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.stsft.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Rachel Brown, rachel.brown94@nhs.net, 01915699013