Macmillan Dietetic Support Worker – Upper GI

NHS; Oxford; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Oxford is seeking a Macmillan Dietetic Support Worker. This role involves supporting dietetic care for cancer patients and will include responsibilities such as nutritional assessments and dietary counselling. Ideal candidates will have a good educational background, alongside team experience, and will receive training to develop their skills in patient support.

Benefits

Training and professional development

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience of working within a team.
• Knowledge of Oral Nutritional Supplements and Enteral Tube Feeds.
• Essential understanding of the function of Dietitians.

Responsibilities

• Support patient information gathering for nutritional assessment.
• Screen and review nutritional status of non-complex patients.
• Provide dietary advice for patients before and after stent insertion.

Skills

Good general education (to GCSE standard)

Ability to manage own time effectively

Excellent communication and interactive skills

Education

HNC, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Recognised training in Nutrition

Tools

Computer literacy (Microsoft Office)

Job description

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a Macmillan Dietetic Support Worker to join our dietetic team working in the Department of Therapies and Dietetics within a purpose-built cancer and surgical centre at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford.

This role will support the department to deliver high quality care to cancer patients being treated under the Upper Gastrointestinal (UGI) dietetic service. The post holder will work as an integral part of the oncology dietetic team.

We are very excited about this post, as it will positively contribute to the delivery of excellent dietetic care to this patient group. You will receive training and support in this new role to help develop the skills needed to support patients and the team.

If you are interested in this role and feel you meet the criteria, please take the time to contact us (contact details below) to discuss the role further.

Main duties of the job

To support the management and care of oesophagogastric cancer patients before and after surgery under the direction of a registered dietitian by

• Gathering patient information to support dietetic assessment
• Screening and review of patient's nutritional status and intake
• Providing dietary counselling and education to patient and carers
• Completing administrative tasks including drafting clinical letters, registering patients for home enteral feeding service, onward referrals to other services
• Triaging calls and referrals to the OG dietetic service
• Signposting to appropriate services and supports
• Contributing to service development, audits, and quality improvement.

About us

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS teaching trusts in the country. It provides a wide range of general and specialist clinical services and is a base for medical education, training and research. The Trust comprises four hospitals - the John Radcliffe Hospital, Churchill Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Our values, standards and behaviours define the quality of clinical care we offer and the professional relationships we make with our patients, colleagues and the wider community.

We call this Delivering Compassionate Excellence and its focus is on our values of compassion, respect, learning, delivery, improvement and excellence.

These values put patients at the heart of what we do and underpin the quality healthcare we would like for ourselves or a member of our family. Watch how we set out to deliver compassionate excellence via the OUH YouTube channel.

Details Date posted

01 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

321-SW-7274144-B4

Job locations

Churchill Hospital

Old Road

Headington, Oxford

OX3 7LE

Job description Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities:

To actively assist Dietitians in information gathering and performing routine measurements, such as PGSGA-SF, hand grip strength, sit to stand and dietary intake and symptoms to assess patients nutritional status.

To screen and review nutritional status and oral intake of non-complex patients, raising referrals to Dietetics or other disciplines as appropriate.

To demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the use of Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) for OG patients following surgery.

To negotiate and implement appropriate nutrition support interventions, e.g. additional snacks, meals and supplements as appropriate in liaison with the dietitian.

To action GP letters requesting ONS and enteral feed using templates under supervision of the Dietitian .

To help with the organisation of feeding pump training, registration of patients on Nutricia MyConnex, electronic patient records (EPR), completion of handover forms to community staff, dietetic and nursing colleagues, and to ensure that patients have supplies of enteral tube feed and/or nutritional supplements and ancillaries for safe hospital discharge and facilitate continuity of care .

To help with management of tube fed patients, ensuring they have adequate stock of feed and ancillaries at home. This involves liaising with Nutricia MyConnex and directing patient queries.

To use encouragement, reassurance and sensitivity to support patients in overcoming barriers and achieve mutually agreed goals.

To support patients in understanding their post-surgery diet with provision of diet literature, under guidance from the Dietitian.

After training, to provide dietary advice for patients before and after insertion of an oesophageal stent.

To become competent to teach patients to flush and care for feeding tubes to support the day case tube pathway.

To become competent to provide pump training to patients to facilitate rapid discharges and avoid discharge delays.

After training, to triage incoming telephone calls from OG patients, relatives and carers, liaising with Upper GI MDT members as required. For example, to liaise with the surgical team in order to organise re-suturing of jejunostomy feeding tubes or communicate feeding tube complications.

To participate in learning and development opportunities, to develop additional skills and/or competencies required to perform role and to attend education and learning events offered by Macmillan Cancer Support.

To promote and provide Macmillan and local sources of patient information, including signposting to Maggies Cancer Information Centre and the Oxford patient support group (OOSO).

To help with patient experience feedback data in order to identify OG Dietetic Service development needs .

To be available to arrange urgent feed deliveries from the hospital site in response to patient demand.

Policy Awareness/Implementation:

To be aware of, adhere to, and implement relevant Trust and Departmental policies including, but not limited to:

Optimising Nutrition and Hydration Care for All Patients policy,

Trust guidelines mandating maintenance of high quality, up-to-date and accurate clinical records,

Data protection guidelines regarding safe and appropriate use and communication of patient information amongst the MDT,

Health and Safety, Infection Control and Moving and Handling guidelines and corresponding mandatory training,

Trust incident reporting and risk management procedures.

Personal and Service Development:

To identify training needs and facilitate learning for personal development,

To attend relevant education and training in order to maintain up-to-date skills including Macmillan educational events

To work collaboratively within the MDT to evaluate current practice and care pathways with the overarching aim of improving patient care and efficacy of interventions,

To participate in implementation of service/Trust clinical governance plan

To participate in clinical governance/audit activities, including collecting and analysing data, to allow the timely compilation of reports and appropriate recommendations

To provide peer support and cover to other Dietetic Support Workers and Dietetic Assistants

To be involved in the induction of newly employed members of the OG and Dietetic teams and training of less experienced staff (including students), including demonstrations of daily duties and provision of practical training,

With support, to devise a Personal Development Plan/Portfolio documenting yearly objectives orientated to reflect personal, service and Trust aims.

Freedom to act:

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise professional boundaries, accessing supervision when required.

To understand how and when to seek support from supervisors.

To organise and prioritise own daily tasks with reference to priorities of the UGI and Dietetic teams.

To abide by relevant Standard Operating Procedures.

To work independently on specified tasks, with supervision from a Dietitian/Ward Manager at pre-determined intervals and access to appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework.

Physical, Mental and Emotional Skills:

To be able to work a flexible work pattern, requiring effort and concentration over several short/long periods.

To work flexibly and be able to adjust to the constantly changing demands of a fast-paced ward.

To be competent in use of IT services, including Email, Intranet, Excel and Electronic Patient Records.

To utilise Moving and Handling training to safely move feed and feeding equipment.

To be sensitive to the cultural and religious needs of patients.

To have well-developed coping strategies to deal with distressing/challenging circumstances, for example seeing cancer patients who have received a diagnosis or upsetting information earlier that day.

To be able to cope with unpleasant working conditions (i.e. awareness of how to appropriately deal with exposure to bodily fluids as per Infection Control guidelines).

Job description Job responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities:

To actively assist Dietitians in information gathering and performing routine measurements, such as PGSGA-SF, hand grip strength, sit to stand and dietary intake and symptoms to assess patients nutritional status.

To screen and review nutritional status and oral intake of non-complex patients, raising referrals to Dietetics or other disciplines as appropriate.

To demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the use of Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) for OG patients following surgery.

To negotiate and implement appropriate nutrition support interventions, e.g. additional snacks, meals and supplements as appropriate in liaison with the dietitian.

To action GP letters requesting ONS and enteral feed using templates under supervision of the Dietitian .

To help with the organisation of feeding pump training, registration of patients on Nutricia MyConnex, electronic patient records (EPR), completion of handover forms to community staff, dietetic and nursing colleagues, and to ensure that patients have supplies of enteral tube feed and/or nutritional supplements and ancillaries for safe hospital discharge and facilitate continuity of care .

To help with management of tube fed patients, ensuring they have adequate stock of feed and ancillaries at home. This involves liaising with Nutricia MyConnex and directing patient queries.

To use encouragement, reassurance and sensitivity to support patients in overcoming barriers and achieve mutually agreed goals.

To support patients in understanding their post-surgery diet with provision of diet literature, under guidance from the Dietitian.

After training, to provide dietary advice for patients before and after insertion of an oesophageal stent.

To become competent to teach patients to flush and care for feeding tubes to support the day case tube pathway.

To become competent to provide pump training to patients to facilitate rapid discharges and avoid discharge delays.

After training, to triage incoming telephone calls from OG patients, relatives and carers, liaising with Upper GI MDT members as required. For example, to liaise with the surgical team in order to organise re-suturing of jejunostomy feeding tubes or communicate feeding tube complications.

To participate in learning and development opportunities, to develop additional skills and/or competencies required to perform role and to attend education and learning events offered by Macmillan Cancer Support.

To promote and provide Macmillan and local sources of patient information, including signposting to Maggies Cancer Information Centre and the Oxford patient support group (OOSO).

To help with patient experience feedback data in order to identify OG Dietetic Service development needs .

To be available to arrange urgent feed deliveries from the hospital site in response to patient demand.

Policy Awareness/Implementation:

To be aware of, adhere to, and implement relevant Trust and Departmental policies including, but not limited to:

Optimising Nutrition and Hydration Care for All Patients policy,

Trust guidelines mandating maintenance of high quality, up-to-date and accurate clinical records,

Data protection guidelines regarding safe and appropriate use and communication of patient information amongst the MDT,

Health and Safety, Infection Control and Moving and Handling guidelines and corresponding mandatory training,

Trust incident reporting and risk management procedures.

Personal and Service Development:

To identify training needs and facilitate learning for personal development,

To attend relevant education and training in order to maintain up-to-date skills including Macmillan educational events

To work collaboratively within the MDT to evaluate current practice and care pathways with the overarching aim of improving patient care and efficacy of interventions,

To participate in implementation of service/Trust clinical governance plan

To participate in clinical governance/audit activities, including collecting and analysing data, to allow the timely compilation of reports and appropriate recommendations

To provide peer support and cover to other Dietetic Support Workers and Dietetic Assistants

To be involved in the induction of newly employed members of the OG and Dietetic teams and training of less experienced staff (including students), including demonstrations of daily duties and provision of practical training,

With support, to devise a Personal Development Plan/Portfolio documenting yearly objectives orientated to reflect personal, service and Trust aims.

Freedom to act:

To be accountable for own professional action and recognise professional boundaries, accessing supervision when required.

To understand how and when to seek support from supervisors.

To organise and prioritise own daily tasks with reference to priorities of the UGI and Dietetic teams.

To abide by relevant Standard Operating Procedures.

To work independently on specified tasks, with supervision from a Dietitian/Ward Manager at pre-determined intervals and access to appraisal within an Individual Performance Framework.

Physical, Mental and Emotional Skills:

To be able to work a flexible work pattern, requiring effort and concentration over several short/long periods.

To work flexibly and be able to adjust to the constantly changing demands of a fast-paced ward.

To be competent in use of IT services, including Email, Intranet, Excel and Electronic Patient Records.

To utilise Moving and Handling training to safely move feed and feeding equipment.

To be sensitive to the cultural and religious needs of patients.

To have well-developed coping strategies to deal with distressing/challenging circumstances, for example seeing cancer patients who have received a diagnosis or upsetting information earlier that day.

To be able to cope with unpleasant working conditions (i.e. awareness of how to appropriately deal with exposure to bodily fluids as per Infection Control guidelines).

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Good general education (to GCSE standard)
• HNC, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience (as below) with additional training to diploma level equivalent or experience through short courses

Desirable

• Recognised training courses (e.g. Nutrition degree, Basic Food Hygiene certificate, foundation degree in Health and Social Care etc.

Experience Essential

• Experience of working within a team

Desirable

• Previous relevant clinical work in a healthcare setting (i.e. HCA trained or extensive experience in another therapy assistant role)

knowledge & Skills Essential

• Understands the function of Dietitians in a hospital setting
• Able to work independently and within a team to achieve treatment objectives
• Ability to manage own time effectively and efficiently, prioritising workload due to excellent organisation and time management skills.
• Ability to accurately collect and record clinical and confidential information
• Computer literacy (including Intranet, Microsoft Word, Excel, Email & PowerPoint)

Desirable

• Knowledge of Anthropometric measurements, Oral Nutritional Supplements and Enteral Tube Feeds
• Experience of use of Electronic Patient Records

Personal Qualities Essential

• Ability to take initiative
• Excellent communication and interactive skills

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Good general education (to GCSE standard)
• HNC, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience (as below) with additional training to diploma level equivalent or experience through short courses

Desirable

• Recognised training courses (e.g. Nutrition degree, Basic Food Hygiene certificate, foundation degree in Health and Social Care etc.

Experience Essential

• Experience of working within a team

Desirable

• Previous relevant clinical work in a healthcare setting (i.e. HCA trained or extensive experience in another therapy assistant role)

knowledge & Skills Essential

• Understands the function of Dietitians in a hospital setting
• Able to work independently and within a team to achieve treatment objectives
• Ability to manage own time effectively and efficiently, prioritising workload due to excellent organisation and time management skills.
• Ability to accurately collect and record clinical and confidential information
• Computer literacy (including Intranet, Microsoft Word, Excel, Email & PowerPoint)

Desirable

• Knowledge of Anthropometric measurements, Oral Nutritional Supplements and Enteral Tube Feeds
• Experience of use of Electronic Patient Records

Personal Qualities Essential

• Ability to take initiative
• Excellent communication and interactive skills

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 (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).

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 (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 (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).

Employer details Employer name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Churchill Hospital

Old Road

Headington, Oxford

OX3 7LE

Employer's website

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Churchill Hospital

Old Road

Headington, Oxford

OX3 7LE

Employer's website

https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)