Job overview

Do you want to work in a fast-paced, dynamic team covering complex head and neck oncology? Then we have a job for you! Due to new funding we have an opportunity for a Band 6 Dietitian to join our team of 3 other Head and Neck Dietitians and 8 other Specialist Oncology Dietitians and Assistants at Southampton General Hospital. This post covers a variety of settings including head and neck surgical ward, acute oncology wards, head and neck clinic, radiotherapy and prehab/rehab clinics

The department of dietetics and SLT employs around 130 staff working across acute, community and paediatrics in a range of specialities. Our Oncology unit is one of 12 regional cancer centres in the UK, serving a population of approx 1.7million. We have a large radiotherapy unit with 7 linear accelerators, 6 oncology wards, acute oncology unit, chemotherapy units, Macmillan and Maggies centre and multiple outpatient clinics. Southampton is a leading centre for cancer research and clinical trials.

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

•    Be responsible for the specialist provision of a dietetic service to head and neck cancer patients undergoing multiple modality oncology treatment.
•    Work in a variety of clinical settings including acute surgical wards, acute oncology wards, radiotherapy clinic, chemotherapy outpatients and head and neck multidisciplinary clinic. 
•    Provide complex nutritional support to patients with head and neck cancer including management of enteral feeding, complex home enteral feeding discharges, and nutritional management of radiotherapy/chemotherapy related side effects.
•    Work with an experienced team of oncology dietitians covering upper GI, head and neck, haematology, teenage young adults, gynaecology, chemotherapy and general oncology patients.
•    Be a key member of the multidisciplinary teams working closely with head and neck surgeons and oncologists, advanced nurse practitioners, speech and language therapists, advanced radiographers and ward nurses. You will also be required to liaise closely with members of the head and neck oncology teams at other hospitals.
•    Provide educational talks on the importance of nutrition in oncology to inform patients, nurses and doctors. 
•    Be involved with the supervision and support of dietitians, dietetic assistants and student dietitians.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
 
We are looking for someone who has a keen interest in oncology, with evidence of relevant, strong clinical skills.  Flexibility, ability to prioritise and manage a busy, complex caseload is essential.  You must have excellent communication skills as well as an empathic nature to help patients manage their long term condition and be aware of the psychological impact this may have. You should have experience of working with nutritional support patients requiring enteral nutrition. Experience of working with oncology patients is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided. 

Person specification

Trust values

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

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 demonstrate a practical and sensitive approach and flexibility in working style when applying clinical judgement to complex clinical issues
• 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.