Clinical Specialist Dietitian (Neonates)

NHS; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 64,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in Greater London is seeking a Clinical Specialist Dietitian for their neonatal units. This position will involve leading nutritional care, managing junior dietitians, and working closely with a multidisciplinary team. The ideal candidate must possess HCPC registration, relevant experience in paediatrics, and a commitment to professional development. Offering a salary between £64,156 and £71,148, this full-time permanent role requires effective communication and a passion for improving neonatal care.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Evidence of ongoing CPD.
• Experience of audit, service evaluation or service development/QI.
• Experience of developing and teaching.

Responsibilities

• Provide nutrition and dietetics across both neonatal services.
• Provide clinical, operational management and leadership of more junior dietitians.
• Provide specialist advice within the neonatal services.

Skills

HCPC registration

Post-registration experience as Band 6 or 7 in paediatric areas including neonates

Experience of MDT working

Clinical skills and ability to assess patients

Enthusiastic and motivated to work towards 8a level

Education

Completion of BDA level 5 and enhanced neonatal dietetic module

Post-graduate courses relevant to specialty

Completion of BDA level 5

Job description

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Specialist Dietitian (Neonates)

The closing date is 25 January 2026

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Dietitian to lead in the delivery of nutrition and dietetics on our two neonatal units. This developmental post is designed to support the post holder to gain the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to progress into a Band 8A Clinical Specialist role leading nutrition and dietetic provision across both units. The successful candidate will start as a Band 7 and is expected to meet the key competencies within 6 months of commencing their post to progress to Band 8a.

There is a strong emphasis on working with the multidisciplinary team to support and drive family integrated care principles and support the units with the baby‑friendly initiative. You will work with an inclusive neonatal MDT which includes a team of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, nursing and medical teams.

Our Level 3 unit at the Chelsea site is the surgical centre for North West London. We are looking for someone with skills and knowledge in the management of nutritional interventions of complex surgical, preterm and term infants, including post‑operative and longer‑term management. The post holder will provide input and resource to the Level 2 unit at West Middlesex University Hospital. The post holder will also provide supervision and management of more junior dietitians covering both neonatal units.

Interviews for this role will take place on 4‑Feb‑26

Main duties of the job

• Provide nutrition and dietetics across both neonatal services.
• Provide clinical, operational management and leadership of more junior dietitians.
• Provide leadership, direction, teaching and support to facilitate high quality care to infants and families in collaboration with the MDT.
• Provide specialist advice within the neonatal services across the Trust and externally as required.
• Ensure nutrition and dietetic clinical guidelines and referral criteria are in line with latest evidence.
• Be willing and eager to work through a competency framework to achieve the necessary skills and experience to progress to a Band 8a clinical specialist post.

About us

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top‑performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites—Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital—along with award‑winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A\&E and children’s services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us ‘Good’ in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and ‘Outstanding’ in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.

The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven’t heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six‑month probationary period.

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Person Specification

• HCPC registration.
• Post conseillé courses relevant to specialty.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD.
• Post‑registration experience as Band 6 or 7 in paediatric areas including neonates.
• Experience of audit, service evaluation or service development/QI.
• Experience of MDT working.
• Experience of developing and teaching.
• Clinical skills and ability to assess patients, problem‑solve, plan intervention/set goals.
• Enthusiastic and motivated to work towards 8a level.
• Evidence of effective time management and prioritisation.
• Member of special interest group.
• Completion of BDA level 5 and enhanced neonatal dietetic module.
• Experience of managing neonatal and paediatric surgical infants.
• Experience of managing service change.

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.

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