Job summary
A fantastic opportunity has opened for a dynamic and enthusiastic Dietitian to join the multi-professional team working at the Royal Brompton Hospital.
The individual get the opportunity to develop specialist cardio-respiratory skills, rotating through adult cystic fibrosis and heart services, with additional opportunity to cross cover and work within critical care and adult respiratory services.
This post would be ideal if you are looking to develop your cardio-respiratory skills and work alongside an exceptional multi-disciplinary team, at a world-leading specialist heart and lung centre.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide a specialist cardiorespiratory dietetic service within distinct rotations in the adult Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and adult heart teams.
Within these rotations, the post-holder will get the opportunity to:
- Foster and develop specialist skills managing patients who are acutely unwell as well as those with chronic, potentially life-limiting conditions.
- Provide a dietetic service to both in- and outpatients, including both face-to-face and virtual consultations.
- Build additional competencies in working in critical care and providing cross-cover to specialist respiratory services.
- Work within a multi-professional team and alongside a team of other dietitians who hold collective responsibility for service planning, co-ordination, delivery and evaluation.
- Attend and actively participate in relevant clinical meetings, including multidisciplinary team meetings and ward rounds (where required).
- Be actively involved in student training and supporting the development of a therapy assistant.
- Assist and/or lead health promotion, quality improvement and service development projects.
- Support education and training of both staff and patients as required, which may include in-service activities and informal talks/education sessions.
About us
Royal Brompton and Harefield hospitals joined Guy's and St Thomas' in February 2021 and is the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK and among the largest in Europe. Weprovide treatment for people with heart and lung disease, including rare and complex conditions, offering some of the most sophisticated treatment that is available anywhere in the world.
We are working in partnership with King's Health Partners, to deliver our vision of creating a new centre of excellence, which will be the global leader in the research into and treatment of heart and lung disease, in patients from pre-birth to old age.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust have around 25,000 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication
- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing, allied health professional and other colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service. This will include case conferences, ward rounds, discharge planning and joint working.
- To work closely with multiple clinical teams caring for a variety of specialisms, having the ability to develop good working relationships with multidisciplinary team members and dietetic colleagues (including those in the heart team, CF, respiratory medicine, paediatrics and in Harefield Hospital).
- Demonstrate an empathetic and sensitive approach within communications with patients and their families / carers. To be confident and demonstrate a flexible approach when working with patients who have acute and chronic illnesses, as well as those who may be experiencing significant psychological stresses or have barriers to understanding.
- To gain consent about a range of dietetic treatment options and to agree and inform of expected outcomes.
- To utilise a diverse range of communication strategies where needed.
- To communicate with outside agencies e.g., GPs, community dietitians, home enteral feeding services, and specialist dietetic services about patient care where appropriate.
Patient care (both direct and indirect)
- To provide a clinical dietetic service to designated wards and within outpatient services, as determined by rotation, utilising theoretical and practical knowledge and in conjunction with the other specialist dietitians.
- Work autonomously to provide specialist advice and treatment plans to patients, carers and clinicians. This will / may involve:
- Nutritional diagnosis, with interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometrics, clinical condition and dietary intake information.
- The development of treatment plans, with consideration of complexities surrounding calculation of nutritional requirements.
- The development of patient-centred goals with consideration of their medical, physical, social and psychological needs.
- Complex cases where many factors such as the use of ventilation (invasive and non-invasive) or other organ supports, recent cardiothoracic surgery, dysphagia or the presence of a secondary diagnosis (diabetes, renal or liver disease, gastrointestinal disorders).
- The need to advise on dietary treatments and ACBS products for conditions where there may be limited clinical guidelines, necessitating close working with senior dietetic colleagues.
- To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients (inpatient and/or outpatient), and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time to ensure a high standard of care is provided.
- To refer patients to other professionals as appropriate e.g., psychology, clinical nurse specialist, welfare rights advisor.
- To provide up-to-date dietary information and education materials, either in the form of diet sheets or other resources and by participating in special events, such as study days and health promotion events. To advise and liaise with catering on special dietary requirements of patients and to provide instructions on suitable therapeutic menus for patients.
- To have a skills in relation to oral and enteral nutrition support, including managing patients who require home enteral feeding with responsibility for ensuring safe and effective discharges to the community for patients who have recently had an enteral feeding tube placed for long term nutrition support.
- To be responsible for the safe use of dietetic or nutrition related equipment by patients under their care (eg feeding pumps).
Policy and service development
- To be familiar with and employ Dietetic and wider Trust / Directorate policies, guidelines, and standards. Where requested, to be involved in their development, review and updating.
- Development and updating of diet sheets and other educational resources for patients and healthcare professionals both within and outside the Trust.
- To participate in research and audit projects in Nutrition and Dietetics and the Rehabilitation and Therapies Directorate when appropriate.
- To support the continuous improvement and development of the dietetic service ensuring the implementation of local and national care guidelines.
People management
- To receive regular appraisals and have an individual developmental plan, to help achieve personal and team objectives.
- To support the training, education and development of therapy assistants where required. This may include direct supervision responsibilities.
- To supervise and teach student dietitians, both those undertaking their clinical placement and those involved in projects as part of their degree.
Information management
- To be familiar with and able to operate all necessary computer programmes e.g. electronic health records Microsoft office, dietary analysis packages and dietetic specific software.
- To record own dietetic activity, accessing patient information though IT systems.
- To be responsible for maintaining accurate treatment notes for each patient as per Health and Care Profession Council standards.
Professional
- To be responsible for maintaining records demonstrating engagement in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), according to Health and Care Professions Council guidelines
- To demonstrate annually current State Registration by the Health and Care Professions Council and abide by their Standards of Proficiency and their Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.
- To demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning and keep up to date with dietetic practice developments by attending relevant study days, webinars, conferences, BDA Branch meetings and Special Interest Group meetings (where applicable) and reading relevant books and journals.
- To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of their work.
Other
- To carry out other duties commensurate with the grade as required including cover for annual leave.
- To abide by the Trusts core behaviours for staff and all other Trust policies including standing financial instructions, research governance, clinical governance, patient and public involvement, codes and practices, and health and safety policies
Job description
Job responsibilities
Communication
- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with medical, nursing, allied health professional and other colleagues to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service. This will include case conferences, ward rounds, discharge planning and joint working.
- To work closely with multiple clinical teams caring for a variety of specialisms, having the ability to develop good working relationships with multidisciplinary team members and dietetic colleagues (including those in the heart team, CF, respiratory medicine, paediatrics and in Harefield Hospital).
- Demonstrate an empathetic and sensitive approach within communications with patients and their families / carers. To be confident and demonstrate a flexible approach when working with patients who have acute and chronic illnesses, as well as those who may be experiencing significant psychological stresses or have barriers to understanding.
- To gain consent about a range of dietetic treatment options and to agree and inform of expected outcomes.
- To utilise a diverse range of communication strategies where needed.
- To communicate with outside agencies e.g., GPs, community dietitians, home enteral feeding services, and specialist dietetic services about patient care where appropriate.
Patient care (both direct and indirect)
- To provide a clinical dietetic service to designated wards and within outpatient services, as determined by rotation, utilising theoretical and practical knowledge and in conjunction with the other specialist dietitians.
- Work autonomously to provide specialist advice and treatment plans to patients, carers and clinicians. This will / may involve:
- Nutritional diagnosis, with interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometrics, clinical condition and dietary intake information.
- The development of treatment plans, with consideration of complexities surrounding calculation of nutritional requirements.
- The development of patient-centred goals with consideration of their medical, physical, social and psychological needs.
- Complex cases where many factors such as the use of ventilation (invasive and non-invasive) or other organ supports, recent cardiothoracic surgery, dysphagia or the presence of a secondary diagnosis (diabetes, renal or liver disease, gastrointestinal disorders).
- The need to advise on dietary treatments and ACBS products for conditions where there may be limited clinical guidelines, necessitating close working with senior dietetic colleagues.
- To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients (inpatient and/or outpatient), and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time to ensure a high standard of care is provided.
- To refer patients to other professionals as appropriate e.g., psychology, clinical nurse specialist, welfare rights advisor.
- To provide up-to-date dietary information and education materials, either in the form of diet sheets or other resources and by participating in special events, such as study days and health promotion events. To advise and liaise with catering on special dietary requirements of patients and to provide instructions on suitable therapeutic menus for patients.
- To have a skills in relation to oral and enteral nutrition support, including managing patients who require home enteral feeding with responsibility for ensuring safe and effective discharges to the community for patients who have recently had an enteral feeding tube placed for long term nutrition support.
- To be responsible for the safe use of dietetic or nutrition related equipment by patients under their care (eg feeding pumps).
Policy and service development
- To be familiar with and employ Dietetic and wider Trust / Directorate policies, guidelines, and standards. Where requested, to be involved in their development, review and updating.
- Development and updating of diet sheets and other educational resources for patients and healthcare professionals both within and outside the Trust.
- To participate in research and audit projects in Nutrition and Dietetics and the Rehabilitation and Therapies Directorate when appropriate.
- To support the continuous improvement and development of the dietetic service ensuring the implementation of local and national care guidelines.
People management
- To receive regular appraisals and have an individual developmental plan, to help achieve personal and team objectives.
- To support the training, education and development of therapy assistants where required. This may include direct supervision responsibilities.
- To supervise and teach student dietitians, both those undertaking their clinical placement and those involved in projects as part of their degree.
Information management
- To be familiar with and able to operate all necessary computer programmes e.g. electronic health records Microsoft office, dietary analysis packages and dietetic specific software.
- To record own dietetic activity, accessing patient information though IT systems.
- To be responsible for maintaining accurate treatment notes for each patient as per Health and Care Profession Council standards.
Professional
- To be responsible for maintaining records demonstrating engagement in Continuing Professional Development (CPD), according to Health and Care Professions Council guidelines
- To demonstrate annually current State Registration by the Health and Care Professions Council and abide by their Standards of Proficiency and their Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.
- To demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning and keep up to date with dietetic practice developments by attending relevant study days, webinars, conferences, BDA Branch meetings and Special Interest Group meetings (where applicable) and reading relevant books and journals.
- To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of their work.
Other
- To carry out other duties commensurate with the grade as required including cover for annual leave.
- To abide by the Trusts core behaviours for staff and all other Trust policies including standing financial instructions, research governance, clinical governance, patient and public involvement, codes and practices, and health and safety policies
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC registered
- Relevant qualification (BSc/ postgrad dip)
Desirable
- student educators course
- BDA membership
Experience
Essential
- Significant postgraduate acute experience
- Teaching/giving talks/ training
- Has worked as part of an MDT
Desirable
- Relevant experience - respiratory, CF, critical care, cardiac, gastro, diabetes
- Previously worked in chronic illness / end of life care
- Home enteral feeding
- Student training
- Research, audit. service development projects
Skills
Essential
- Able to work independently
- High level communication, listening and interpersonal skills.
- Team working.
- Nutrition support skills
- Time management
Desirable
- Behaviour change, motivation, or negotiation skills.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
- HCPC registered
- Relevant qualification (BSc/ postgrad dip)
Desirable
- student educators course
- BDA membership
Experience
Essential
- Significant postgraduate acute experience
- Teaching/giving talks/ training
- Has worked as part of an MDT
Desirable
- Relevant experience - respiratory, CF, critical care, cardiac, gastro, diabetes
- Previously worked in chronic illness / end of life care
- Home enteral feeding
- Student training
- Research, audit. service development projects
Skills
Essential
- Able to work independently
- High level communication, listening and interpersonal skills.
- Team working.
- Nutrition support skills
- Time management
Desirable
- Behaviour change, motivation, or negotiation skills.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).