Specialist Oncology Dietitian

Job description

Job responsibilities

To be an effective member of the oncology dietetic team responsible for the nutrition and dietetic management of oncology patients receiving treatment by the oncology and haematology teams.

To be responsible for haematology and oncology patients receiving oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition support on the Guys Hospital site as in-patients as well as in outpatient clinics. Further outpatient support may also be provided to the chemotherapy day unit, radiotherapy department and at the acute oncology service department.

Duties and Responsibilities

CLINICAL.

1. To lead in the provision of a specialist dietetic service within their multidisciplinary team.
2. To be responsible for the provision of the dietetic input into Multidisciplinary outpatient Clinics.
3. To be responsible for the provision of a Dietetic Outpatient Clinic.
4. To take the lead in providing expert Dietetic input into agreed medical and surgical areas for both inpatients and outpatients.
5. To devise, monitor and review nutritional care plans against outcomes measures and adjust these care plans to enable the achievement of their goals.
6. To provide expert nutritional advice to patients, carers and clinicians regarding provision of nutritional support for patients based on clinical evidence. This requires detailed nutritional assessment; to include the calculation of nutritional requirements based on the interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometry and clinical condition
7. To ensure the safe and timely discharge of patients going home on artificial nutritional support liaising with and co-ordinating internal and external agencies.
8. To communicate and liaise with other agencies regarding nutrition related prescriptions and the nutritional management of patients within and outside the trust.
9. To be responsible for ensuring that patients and carers have consented prior to dietetic intervention in line with professional guidelines.
10. To directly prescribe nutritional, vitamin and mineral supplements.
11. To be responsible for the maintenance of adequate stock levels of feeds and supplements at ward level.
12. To be trained to trainer level in the use of enteral feeding pumps and associated equipment.
13. To be trained to trainer level in the use of anthropometric equipment for assessment of nutritional status such as bioelectrical impedance, callipers and hand grip dynamometer.

1. To provide cover for colleagues during periods of absence.

TRAINING & EDUCATION

1. To be able to utilise developed communication and teaching skills to educate the diverse and multicultural population with barriers to understanding both on a one to one basis and in groups.

2. To provide specialist Dietetic counselling to patients and relatives where training in post registration Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and use of reassurance and motivational skills are required to be used in an appropriate and sensitive manner.

3. To provide training for medical, allied health professionals, nurses, catering staff and dietetic students, as well as patients. This will take the form of lectures, tutorials and demonstrations.

4. To undertake the role of a mentor for junior members of staff.

5. To advise and liaise with catering staff concerning the dietary needs for patients under your care and to assist in instructing chefs on the preparation of therapeutic diets.

6. To participate in the training of student dietitians.

7. To maintain Continuing Professional Development and attend study days and training.

1. To participate in the development, implementation and update of operational and professional standards and policies for the Dietetic Service.

2. To contribute to operational and strategic planning for the dietetic service within the trust.

3. To initiate and participate in research and audit within the area of specialism, in line with departmental research and audit procedures. This may include co-ordination and supervision of research projects for undergraduate dietetic students. It will be expected that any relevant findings should be published or presented at appropriate conferences.

4. To actively participate in the departmental evidence based group and others as appropriate

5. To be an active team member of the dietetic department at Guys and St Thomas participating in departmental developments and attending monthly staff and continuing professional development meetings.

6. To research, develop, audit and publish evidence based departmental literature for use within and outside the trust. These will be produced with the use of patient fora.

7. To participate fully in continuing professional development and appraisal through the use of portfolio based assessment in line with national frameworks.

8. To keep statistics and written records of all inpatient and outpatient contacts in accordance with trust and departmental standards for record keeping.

9. To comply with professional codes of practice, professional guidelines and departmental policies.

In consultation with the postholder, undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade as requested by the Dietetic Services Manager.

Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Good organisation skills
• Time management
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Demonstrates a flexible approach
• Ability to work under own initiative
• Good Communication skills
• Ability to work with professionals of all levels
• Ability to achieve deadlines
• Presentation skills

Knowledge

Essential

• Sound Clinical Knowledge
• Sound knowledge of current issues in dietetics/specialist area

Qualifications

Essential

• Current HCPC registration
• Broad post registration experience within Clinical Dietetics

Experience

Essential

• Broad post registration experience within Clinical Dietetics
• Working as part of a team

Desirable

• Experience in specialist area - oncology

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Guy's Hospital

Great Maze Pond

London

SE1 9RT

Employer's website

https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx (Opens in a new tab)