Acute Dietitian

University Hospitals Dorset; Poole; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Dorset in Poole is seeking a Band 6 Acute Dietitian to support inpatient teams on a backfill for 9 months, predominantly at Royal Bournemouth Hospital with cross-site work at Poole. You will provide specialist dietetic input to surgical inpatients and contribute to multidisciplinary care.

The role offers development opportunities, training, and autonomous practice within nutrition services, with a focus on gastro, surgical wards and PN management, under the guidance of an

Qualifications

• BSc or equivalent/higher in Nutrition and Dietetics.
• HCPC registration.
• Member of BDA specialist group.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist dietetic input to inpatients as part of the acute team.
• Independently formulate safe, appropriate and evidence-based treatment plans including oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition as part of care plans with the MDT.

Education

BSc or equivalent/higher in Nutrition and Dietetics

HCPC registration

Member of BDA specialist group

Job description

Main area Dietetics Grade Band 6 Contract 9 months (Fixed term cover for 9 months) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 153-SP07041

Department name 01. UHD - General Recruitment Site Poole Hospital Town Poole Salary £39,959 - £48,117 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 08/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 16/11/2026

As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.

We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.

In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.

We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.

We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.

At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.

As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.

We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Acute Dietitian to work within the inpatient teams supporting a backfill position for 9 months. This role sits within the acute team at Bournemouth hospital and is to support the surgical acute caseload.

Base Location: Royal Bournemouth Hospital but may be needed to work cross site at Poole Hospital also

Interview: 16th November

Main duties of the job

The role is to provide specialist dietetic support to inpatients and may be required to work cross site. The workload will include acute surgical wards, a surgical frailty clinic twice monthly and gastro patients on a variety of inpatient wards.

There is also the opportunity to provide support and cover to the Nutrition Support Team and critical care, which can include PN management. You don't have to have direct experience of this to apply as we have a fantastic team who can provide training and support gaining skills in this area.

The successful applicant will receive clinical support and opportunities to develop their clinical expertise and knowledge regarding all aspects of the nutrition service settings through formal and informal training.

This role is autonomous and a commitment to providing high standards of care for patients is essential as well as excellent communication skills with the ability to work to a high standard both independently and as part of a team.

Working for our organisation

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues. UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme. This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.

Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and conditions.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To work as a member of the dietetic team providing a comprehensive, effective and evidence based dietetic service for patients at University Hospitals Dorset, including but not limited to surgical wards, surgical frailty clinic twice monthly and gastroenterology patients.
• To independently formulate safe, appropriate and accurate treatment plans for oral, enteral & parenteral nutrition as part of care plans with the multi-disciplinary team.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• BSc or equivalent/higher in Nutrition and Dietetics
• HCPC registration
• Member of BDA specialist group

Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of issues related to wide range of clinical and dietetic practice areas (including but not limited to surgery, gastro and nutrition support)
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services
• Knowledge of the dietetic and medical management of patients with gastroenterology conditions and associated complications
• Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio, including attendance at post-graduate courses.

Experience

• Experience of working in a range of different specialist clinical areas
• Experience of working as part of an MDT
• Experience in delivering clinical education to staff, students or assistants and giving constructive feedback
• Experience of managing enteral nutrition.
• Student training
• Experience of parenteral nutrition

Skills

• Able to present information, written and verbal, in a clear, logical and concise manner
• Ability to organise, prioritise & delegate tasks.
• Able to cope in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients & carers
• Ability in data collation and analysis skills

Personal Qualities

• To be able to work successfully within a team
• To be able to work autonomously within professional and trusts code of conducts
• To be self motivated, flexible and reliable
• To be empathetic and have the ability to have sensitive conversations.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Able to reflect and appraise own performance
• Ability to respond positively to change.

Please note:

Staff recruited are expected to be available to work flexibly across all our Trust locations to meet service demands.

This advert may be closed early if sufficient applications are received.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst this vaccination is not a condition of employment we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated.

Internal Candidates: staff employed prior to merger who voluntarily change jobs will be appointed to UHD terms and conditions.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.