Job summary
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
We have an exciting opportunity for a registered dietitian to become the hepatology lead dietitian within our acute adult team. Hepatology services within the Trust have recently expanded and we are seeking a specialist dietitian to further develop dietetics in hepatology at UHS. This post is funded at a band 7 level but we would be happy to consider a band 6 to 7 progression post for someone with a keen interest in hepatology who would like to further develop in this area. If recruited at a band 6 level the successful candidate would progress to a band 7 position on completion of agreed competencies. 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.
About us
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The hepatology service is a regional unit for complex liver disease, managing patients from the Wessex area, the Channel Islands and the Falklands. Conditions include cirrhosis, alcohol related liver disease, fatty liver disease, drug induced liver injury, viral hepatitis, auto immune and biliary conditions and hepatocellular carcinoma. The team are a key satellite centre and work closely with the transplant team at Addenbrookes Hospital, holding a monthly MDT clinic.
The successful applicant will work closely with the hepatology MDT and dietetic team. This role involves direct patient contact alongside service development of dietetic hepatology services at a large acute teaching hospital. You will join a friendly team of dietitians working in acute medicine and be supported with service developments and complex clinical cases by the medicine team lead dietitian, lead adult dietitian and the hepatology MDT. You will be an integral member of the specialist hepatology multidisciplinary team. On completion of competencies you will: Be the dietetic clinical lead responsible for the provision of a highly specialist dietetic service to hepatology patients at UHS, including on the GI Bleed unit. Provide complex nutritional support to patients with hepatology related conditions including cirrhosis, alcohol related liver disease, fatty liver disease, drug induced liver injury, viral hepatitis, auto immune conditions, biliary conditions, and hepatocellular carcinoma. This includes inpatient and outpatient support. Provide nutritional support to patients undergoing regular outpatient paracentesis. Provide complex nutritional support to patients pre and post liver transplant liaising with the specialist hepatology dietitians and transplant coordinator at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. This is part of a once monthly MDT clinic. Work with the medical team lead dietitian and lead acute dietitian on planning, developing, and progressing the new hepatology dietetic service. Work in a variety of clinical settings including acute medical wards and out-patient clinics. Work within an experienced team of medical dietitians covering gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory medicine, acute medical admissions, neurology and medicine for older people. Be a key member of the multidisciplinary teams working closely with hepatology consultants, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, and ward nurses on the specialist medical wards. Provide educational talks on the importance of nutrition in hepatology to inform patients, nurses, and junior doctors. Be involved with the supervision and support of junior dietitians, dietetic assistants, and dietetic students. Less experienced dietitians will be provided with CPD opportunities to develop to the above standard. What we are looking for: We are looking for someone who has a keen interest in acute dietetics and nutrition support, 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 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 hepatology patients is desirable but not essential as full training will be provided. If you do not have experience of working with this patient group but are interested in this role please get in contact to discuss the option of a band 6/7 training role (details of competencies can be provided on request). Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
Patients First Always Improving Working Together
Advanced Dietitian - Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential
Degree or equivalent in Nutrition and Dietetics Masters level qualification or equivalent experience HCPC (Health and Care professions Council) registered dietitian (RD) Evidence of post-graduate training in relevant speciality Experience of supervising staff Experience and involvement with training Evidence of extensive dietetic knowledge and highly specialist expertise in relevant specialist area with recent experience demonstrating this Ability to carry out physical anthropometric measurements and assess nutritional status Demonstration of understanding of clinical governance and its implications for service delivery
Desirable
Member of British Dietetic Association (BDA) and relevant specialist groups Experience of leading or co-ordinating audit or research work. Clinical supervisory skills training
Advanced Dietitian - Skills and competencies
Essential
Presentation skills Teamwork Microsoft Office skills Record keeping Attention to detail Interpersonal skills Report Writing Policy development Leadership Mentoring skills
Speicalist Dietitian - Qualifications, knowledge and experience
Essential
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: , 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
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
Specialist Dietitian - Skills and competencies
Essential
Presentation skills Teamwork Microsoft Office skills Communication Record Keeping Attention to detail Interpersonal skills Keyboard skills Numercy skills
