Job summary
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Dietitian with a background in Oncology and/or Haematology to join our team in this exciting new role. You will play a key role in establishing and developing a specialist nutrition service for patients undergoing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy, providing expert nutritional assessment, intervention and support throughout the patient pathway. Working as part of the multidisciplinary CAR T team, you will help shape service delivery, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to the development of clinical protocols, patient education resources and service evaluation.

Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.

Main duties of the job
Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the 'Job Description and Main Responsibilities' section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

About us
We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities
You will be a key member of the Haematology multidisciplinary team. You will: Be responsible for the specialist provision of a dietetic service to patients undertaking CAR-T treatment for haematological malignancies in both adult and teenage young adult services. Work predominantly in the transplant unit but also in a variety of clinical settings including acute haematology wards, chemotherapy and radiotherapy outpatient departments and out-patient clinics. Provide complex nutritional support and supportive dietary advice to patients with haematological cancers. Work with an experienced team of oncology dietitians covering a range of clinical specialities including Head and Neck, general oncology, and UGI. Be a key member of the multidisciplinary teams working closely with haematology consultants, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, and ward nurses on the specialist wards. Be involved with the supervision and support of junior dietitians, dietetic assistants, and dietetic students.

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR: We are looking for someone who has a keen interest in acute dietetics and nutrition support, 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 condition and be aware of the psychological impact this may have. You should have extensive experience of working with complex nutritional support patients requiring enteral nutrition in the acute setting.

Person Specification
Knowledge and experience
Essential

• Demonstrable experience in clinical dietetics within the NHS post registration
• Proven Evidence of a particular knowledge/experience in oncology and haematology dietetics and nutrition support
• Proven Knowledge of national and international guidelines relevant to oncology dietetics
• Demonstrable Training, supervisory and teaching experience
• Demonstrable Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
• Demonstrable Experience in audit, standard setting and guideline development

Desirable

• Computer skills in database use and statistical packages
• Demonstrable Experience of enteral feeding
• Demonstrable Experience with oncology/ palliative care patients
• Demonstrable Experience with Stem Cell transplant patients
• Demonstrable Experience with CAR T patients.

Qualifications
Essential

• BSc. in Human Nutrition and Dietetics or equivalent
• Professional registration (HPC)
• Completion of Clinical Supervisory Skills course
• Evidence of recent CPD

Desirable

• Relevant validated BDA Clinical Update course e.g PENG or oncology/ haematology post registration education
• Registered for Diploma in advanced dietetic practice
• A teaching qualification or experience of teaching groups.

Aptitude and Abilities
Essential

• Effective communication skills with an ability to communicate with all levels of healthcare personnel (ward staff, kitchen staff, dietitians, senior and junior medical staff, senior managers) as well as patients and their carers
• Able to work within a team
• Expertise in the practical skills of nutritional support
• Effective teaching and presentation skills
• Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets and presentations
• Good organisational and time management/ prioritisation skills
• Ability to supervise students and junior department staff
• Capable of producing good quality written information for staff and patients

Desirable

• Ability to lift feeding equipment / deliver feeding supplies to patients on wards
• Ability to work in a busy Environment
• Commitment to clinical governance
• Ability to interpret research findings and apply to practice

Disposition/Attitude/Motivation
Essential

• Proactive, with an ability to set up new initiative
• Self motivated
• Empathetic and approachable

Desirable

• An enquiring mind with an enthusiasm for research and innovation

Circumstances
Essential

• Flexible regarding duties
• May be required to work over a 7 day period in the future

Other factors
Essential

• Maintains professional appearance

Desirable

• British Dietetic Association (BDA) membership
• Member of BDA specialist group

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.

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).

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 Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Address: Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Oncology team leader
Nicola Whitford
nicola.whitford@nhs.net
01752432251