Rotational Dietitian

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for a detailed job description for the role.

Main duties of the job

Are you a new or recently qualified dietitian or a final year dietetic student looking to secure a varied Band 5 post in a large dietetic department? We are looking for Band 5 dietitians to join our Band 5 rotation programme which covers both the acute hospital setting and provides community experience.

This well established rotational programme is highly regarded for providing a great depth and breadth of dietetic experience and receives very positive feedback from previous postholders. If you wish to work in a department where there is a great band 5 education programme and fabulous and varied opportunities for development and progression then this is the job for you!

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working. Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service.

Your Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

The successful applicants will join one of our seven rotations which currently cover medicine, surgery, stroke, trauma and orthopaedics / cardiothoracic, community hospitals and prescribing support. Each rotation is for 6 months and is designed in a specific order to give a broad range of experience and knowledge.

You Will

• Manage a designated caseload in each rotation, supervised by a senior colleague.
• Deliver general outpatient clinics and group education sessions as required.
• Deliver projects, audits and training specific to each rotation.
• Be involved with dietetic student training, after a settling in period and following relevant training.

What We’re Looking For

We know that you will not be very experienced and we can give you the necessary skills and education to work in each clinical area. In return we require:

• A proactive, enthusiastic dietitian who is willing to work hard and embrace every rotation.
• Someone who is happy to work independently but who also works well as part of a large dietetic and multidisciplinary team.
• A dietitian who is confident in communicating in a variety of settings and with people from all backgrounds.
• A dietitian who is willing to use their initiative but who is also able to seek advice and support whenever they require it.
• A dietitian with recent UK NHS dietetic experience either as a student or qualified dietitian.
• The community rotations involve travel across Hampshire so being a car driver with a full driving licence and access to a vehicle would be beneficial.

Applications from people from diverse backgrounds are particularly welcomed. We are family friendly so flexible working arrangements may be considered.

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients first.
• Always Improving.
• Working Together.

Qualifications / Training Required

Essential criteria

• Degree or equivalent in nutrition and dietetics.
• Registered RD with HCPC registration or in process of applying for registration.
• Demonstration of appropriate dietetic skills and knowledge at foundation level.
• Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing training/development.
• English literacy skills at GCSE level or equivalent.

Desirable criteria

• Member of BDA.

Previous or relevant experience necessary

Essential criteria

• Recent experience in clinical dietetic post or placement.
• Understanding of the dietitians role within acute and community setting.
• Experience of multiprofessional team working.
• IT and keyboard skills e.g. Microsoft word and dietary analysis.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of presentations/public speaking.
• Experience of project planning and /audit.

Aptitudes And Skills Required

Essential criteria

• Ability to cope with unpredictable events and varying workload pressures.
• Ability to plan and prioritise workload within agreed boundaries.
• Ability to communicate confidently at a variety of levels e.g. with patients and senior medical staff.
• High standard of literacy and numeracy.
• Works well alone as well as part of a team.
• Demonstrates clarity and breadth in use of verbal and written communications in relation to our patient group.
• Ability to develop a rapport with patients, families and MDT members.
• Ability to handle difficult situations in a tactful and sensitive manner.