Job overview

We are seeking an HCPC registered dietitian with a keen interest and experience in nutrition support to join our team of dietitians working in the Wessex Adult Cystic Fibrosis Service. This full time, permanent post in our regional service is available due to promotion of the previous post holder. 

The Wessex Adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Service looks after patients from a wide area including Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Somerset, East and West Sussex, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands.

We are a friendly and welcoming multidisciplinary team, aiming to provide excellence in adult CF care. You will be working within a close and supportive team of dietitians, specialist nurses, physiotherapists and doctors providing support to inpatients and outpatients with CF.
The department of dietetics and speech and language therapy employs approximately 130 staff, providing both acute and community services in adults and paediatrics across a range of specialities.

Main duties of the job

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. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care. 

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

What you’ll do:

You will be working with adult patients with cystic fibrosis who have complex nutritional issues requiring skilled nutritional assessment and advice. CF complications include gastrointestinal problems, diabetes, liver disease and osteoporosis. You will work amongst a highly experienced MDT and be supported in your role by 3 band 7 CF dietitians. Our regional service covers a range of care environments such as outpatient clinics, inpatients, annual reviews and occasional MDT home visits.

What we’re looking for:
 
We are looking for someone who has a keen interest in nutrition support, with evidence of relevant, strong clinical skills.  Flexibility, ability to prioritise and manage a busy, complex caseload is essential.  You must also be prepared to manage patients who have a long-term condition and be aware of the psychological impact this may have. You should have experience of working with complex nutritional support patients requiring enteral nutrition in the acute setting. Experience of working with patients with CF is not essential as full training will be provided. 

Person specification

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Degree or equivalent in Nutrition and Dietetics
• HCPC (Health and Care professions Council) registered dietitian (RD)
• Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing CPD and development in relevant areas
• Evidence of relevant dietetic knowledge and expertise with recent experience demonstrating this
• Ability to communicate complex information fluently, confidently and effectively to a diverse range of people: e.g., with patients, carers, managers and other health care professionals
• Ability to communicate complex information fluently, confidently and effectively to a diverse range of people: e.g., with patients, carers, managers and other health care professionals
• Ability to create rapport and professionally manage relationships with colleagues, patients and carers and the emotional challenges this presents
• Demonstrate a holistic approach to treatment
• Ability to cope with unpredictable events and varying clinical and non-clinical work pressures, independently planning and prioritising own workload, managing own time and meeting deadlines

Desirable criteria

• Member of British Dietetic Association (BDA) and relevant specialist groups
• Experience mentoring or supervising dietetic assistants or junior staff
• Experience and involvement with dietetic student training
• Experience of audit/project work
• Ability to cover “out of hours” commitments on agreed occasions

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Presentation skills
• Teamwork
• Microsoft Office skills
• Communication
• Record keeping
• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills
• Organisational skills
• Prioritisation
• Keyboard skills
• Numeracy skills

Please be advised that this vacancy may close earlier than stated if large numbers of applications are received.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we are unable to acknowledge receipt of your application. If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date of this post, please presume that you have not been selected for interview.

Applicants from University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust whose posts are considered to be ‘At Risk’ will be given prior consideration for this post

Our Trust runs the return to practice course each year for nurses who have been out of the profession and wish to return. To find out more please visit our website:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/WorkingHere/Typesofjob/Nurses/Returntonursing.aspx

http://www.discoversouthampton.co.uk/   Information on Southampton as a place to live and enjoy

https://www.uhs-vle.co.uk/   See what fantastic training and development we have on offer at UHS

http://www.youtube.com/user/SouthamptonHospitals learn about the Trust through visiting our YouTube channel 

Getting to Work

Application can be made for parking on site at UHS or through one of the park and ride schemes. This will be based on specific criteria to determine eligibility for site parking as this can be very limited.  UHS encourages staff to utilise other green methods of getting to work such as cycling or walking where possible. UHS is well connected through bus services to the city centre and other areas.

Please note that we will not accept any applications or queries via agencies, under any circumstances.

Our staff are positive about working at UHS and rate us above average compared to other NHS Trusts in the Staff Attitude Survey. We are rated strongly on a number of areas including teamwork, communication and engagement.

Equality remains at the centre of all Trust policy making, service delivery and employment practice with all employees being given equality of opportunity to develop, apply for promotion and have working arrangements that enable them to achieve a manageable work-life balance.

The Trust actively promotes a work environment free from harassment and discrimination and provides training for managers and staff to ensure this happens. The Trust also closely monitors recruitment activity, training and development and employment practices to ensure equality of practice with regard to race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status and age.

As a service provider the Trust ensures equality of access and delivery of our services through the provision of interpreter services, facilities for the disabled and sensitivity for patients ethnic and religious differences and needs.

Relocating to Southampton

If you are thinking of moving to the Hampshire area, please find below a link to our website which offers guidance on finding accommodation:

http://www.uhs.nhs.uk/relocating-to-southampton

The Trust is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided on this form for the prevention and detection of fraud. It may also share this information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds for these purposes.