Head and Neck Advanced Specialist Dietitian

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Dietitian to join their head and neck services at Northwick Park Hospital. This crucial role involves providing expert nutritional care to oncology patients, working collaboratively with a friendly multidisciplinary team. Ideal candidates should have a degree in Dietetics, HCPC registration, and experience in nutritional support for head and neck issues. Competitive salary and ongoing professional development opportunities offered.

Qualifications

• Extensive clinical experience with patients in various settings.
• Sound knowledge of nutrition support in head & neck surgery.
• Experience conducting audits and research.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evaluate the clinical dietetic service for Head and Neck patients.
• Conduct clinical audits and research.
• Provide training and support for dietetic staff and students.

Skills

Experience in oral and enteral nutrition

Clinical audit and research experience

Training and mentorship skills

Multidisciplinary team experience

Education

Degree in Dietetics or equivalent

HCPC registration

Job description

Job summaryh3>

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a dietitian enthusiastic about oncology to work in our head and neck services. Northwick Park Hospital is a regional centre for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation and this role would support patients before surgery, during their inpatient and outpatient care. This is a critical role in delivering expert, evidence-based nutritional care to patients throughout their head and neck journey. The dietitian will work effectively within the multidisciplinary team, and will be integral to the discussions relating to nutrition support.

Your expertise will be vital in optimising nutritional status, improving treatment outcomes and enhancing the quality of life of this patient group. The candidate should have strong experience in oral and enteral nutrition. Experience of head and neck oncology is a requirement of the role, but not essential.

You will work alongside another band 7 and a band 6 rotational dietitian. The wider multidisciplinary team is very friendly and inclusive, the dietitians are respected members of the team. This post will allow the candidate to provide specialist nutritional care, alongside leading service developments in this specialist area.

Main duties of the job

The Head and Neck Advanced Specialist Dietitian would be an autonomous practitioner in a highly specialised area of clinical dietetics. They will lead the delivery of complex nutritional support, including prescribing and managing enteral tube feeding systems in acute and outpatients, and also offer telephone advice for patients at home.

As a clinical expert, they will provide supervision, mentorship, support and training to junior dietetic staff and students within the team. The post-holder would be expected to lead audit, research and service evaluation within this specialist clinical area, which is aligned with national guidance. They would also lead and provide education and training to multi-professionals across Head & Neck local and regional services.

The post holder will develop and deliver structured patient education and resources to empower patients and carers in self‑management of their nutritional needs.

Job responsibilities

• To lead, plan, deliver and evaluate the clinical dietetic service to Head and Neck (Maxillofacial and ENT) in and outpatients at Northwick Park Hospital.
• To lead and carry out regular clinical audit or research into this specialist area.
• To provide theoretical and practical training, teaching and professional development support for dietitians, student dietitians, medical, nursing staff and allied health professionals in the Head and Neck dietetics.
• To ensure work is in line with departmental, Trust and national Dietetic standards.
• To participate in the organisation, management and development of the dietetic team.

Education & Qualification

Essential

• Degree in Dietetics or equivalent
• Current HCPC registration

Desirable

• Evidence of further postgraduate study to Masters level or equivalent e.g. Diploma or Prescribing Course

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Extensive clinical experience with a broad range of patients in different settings
• Sound knowledge of current issues relating to nutrition support in head & neck surgery / oncology
• Experience in home enteral nutrition and coordinating discharges
• Experience of training student Dietitians
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience of conducting audits and / or research

Desirable

• Experience of working with oncology patients
• Experience working in head and neck oncology
• Evidence of service development & improvement
• Experience of working in a multicultural population

Additional Information

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see https://www.lnwh.nhs.uk