Dietitian Manager

St James's Hospital Dublin; Dublin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

St James's Hospital Dublin is seeking an experienced Dietitian with senior leadership skills to manage the Clinical Nutrition service, develop policies, and drive high-quality patient care.

The role requires CORU registration, 5 years post-qualification clinical experience, and demonstrated leadership in nutrition services. You will work within a multidisciplinary team, lead service planning, and contribute to governance and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Be registered, or be eligible for registration, as a Dietitian by CORU.
• 5 years full-time (or equivalent) post-qualification clinical experience.
• Demonstrate leadership and management ability for duties of the office.
• Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Dietitians Register.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operational management of the Clinical Nutrition service.
• Develop policies, protocols, guidelines and SOPs with stakeholders.
• Deputise for the Clinical Nutrition Manager in Charge.
• Record, monitor, analyse and report on KPI and activity data.
• Lead service planning and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
• Manage HR processes including staff leave, recruitment and induction.
• Provide clinical supervision and performance reviews.
• Promote audit, research and evidence-based practice.
• Support continuous learning and development for staff.
• Collaborate with SCOPe HSCP directorate leadership.
• Engage in directorate committees and service development initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Quality & risk management

Clinical governance

Education

Dietitian qualification

Postgraduate leadership/health services management

Job description

Closing Date: Sunday, 27th September 2026

Purpose of the Role:

Operational management of the Clinical Nutrition service to ensure delivery of the highest standard of quality, patient-focused dietetic care.

• To work effectively as part of the Clinical Nutrition management team and be responsible for the operational management of the Department of Clinical Nutrition in liaison with Clinical Nutrition Manager colleague and Clinical Nutrition Manager in Charge.
• To develop policies, protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures in collaboration and consultation with stakeholders, disseminate, implement, monitor and review these.
• To deputise for the Clinical Nutrition Manager in Charge and represent the Department of Clinical Nutrition as required.
• To record, monitor, analyse and report on statistical activity.
• Active involvement in service planning and development of the Clinical Nutrition service, ensuring the most effective use of resources to deliver high quality care through multi-disciplinary working.
• To be responsible for implementation of relevant Human Resources policies, management of staff leave and absences and participate in recruitment and induction of new staff members.
• To deliver and participate in clinical supervision and performance review.
• To promote and support audit, research and evidence-based practice in Clinical Nutrition.
• To maintain professional competence through Continuous Learning and Development and provide learning opportunities and support for others.
• To work effectively as part of the SCOPe HSCP Directorate leadership team, working closely with the SCOPe Director and SCOPe Managers to achieve organisational goals.
• Participate and engage in SCOPe HSCP directorate committees, service development initiatives and innovations as appropriate.
• Keep up to date with organisational developments within the Irish Health Service.
• Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements in relation to Health and Safety as outlined in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Hospital Safety Statement.
• Ensure own mandatory learning and training is kept up to date.

Quality, patient safety and risk management

• Proactively identify, document, assess and manage risks in line with the Hospital's risk management framework.
• Ensure risks and controls within each area of accountability are clearly articulated, with assigned owners, realistic mitigation actions, timelines and monitoring arrangements.
• Maintain appropriate oversight of risks, ensuring they are routinely reviewed.
• Utilise regular audit and evaluation for the purpose of assurance and identifying required areas for improvement.
• Strengthen quality, safety and risk practices across areas of accountability.
• Drive a culture of safety, accountability, quality assurance, systems learning and continuous improvement.
• Support and adhere to all relevant regulatory and governance standards.
• Support the implementation of quality improvements within the hospital as directed by the Hospital Board and Executive Management Group in response to quality, safety and risk management.

Required:

Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

• Be registered, or be eligible for registration, as a Dietitian by the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU.

And

• Have 5 years full time (or an aggregate of 5 years full time) post qualification clinical experience.

And

• Candidates must have the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, management, leadership and professional ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.

And

• Provide proof of Statutory Registration on the Dietitians Register maintained by the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU before a contract of employment can be issued.

Annual registration

• On appointment, practitioners must maintain annual registration on the Dietitians Register maintained by the Dietitians Registration Board at CORU.

And

• Practitioners must confirm annual registration with CORU to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

And

• Experience managing people.
• Demonstrated experience managing a Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic service.
• Demonstrate relevant continuing professional development in the field of leadership and/or management.
• Postgraduate qualification in the field of leadership and or health services management.
• Proven track record demonstrating a can-do attitude, engaging stakeholder commitment and overcoming resistance.