Advanced Head and Neck Oncology Dietitian

Job summary

Join Us in Transforming Head & Neck Cancer Care in Sussex! We have an exciting new opportunity for an Advanced Dietitian for Head & Neck Cancer Care (Band 7) Base: Eastbourne and Brighton | Service: Oncology (Radiotherapy) Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust We're pleased to introduce a newly created advanced dietitian role within an innovative H&N Radiotherapy service. This new multidisciplinary team includes a Dietitian, Speech & Language Therapist and Advanced Care Practitioner, delivering pioneering care for patients receiving complex radiotherapy. As part of the Radiotherapy Review Project, we are expanding Category 1 radiotherapy at Eastbourne Radiotherapy Unit (ERTU), improving access and reducing travel for vulnerable patients. The post will take the lead in establishing this service at a new site, implement cross profession, site and Trust working while delivering excellent care to this nutritionally vulnerable patient group. This role offers the chance to shape services, contribute to research, and develop professionally in a supportive environment. We welcome applications from HCPC registered dietitians with a strong clinical background.

Main duties of the job

1. Nutritional management in head and neck cancer patients.
2. Facilitating enteral and home enteral feeding
3. Training, mentoring, audit, quality improvements, service development, risk management and research.
4. Cross site and partnership working

Why This Matters H&N radiotherapy is among the most complex and challenging treatments in cancer care, with risks including malnutrition, dehydration, hospitalisation, and significant functional decline. The Advanced Dietitian role is integral to improving patient safety, outcomes, and quality of life through timely, expert-led nutritional care and multidisciplinary working. We're Looking For

• Passionate, skilled clinicians , preferably with H&N oncology experience, but training can be provided
• Commitment to collaborative, patient-centred care
• Interest in service innovation, design, and research
• Motivation to contribute to the growth of a high-functioning Sussex-wide H&N MDT
• What We Offer
• A unique opportunity to shape anew model of carewithin a newly created team
• Strong clinical supervision, MDT support, and peer learning
• A values-led organisation committed to staff wellbeing, innovation, and career development

About us

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Nutritional assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment.
2. Facilitating enteral and home enteral feeding
3. Pre-treatment and prehabilitation.
4. Attendance at MDMs and clinics
5. Patient support.
6. Clinical administration
7. Clinical governance - risk management, audit, quality improvement, research.
8. Education, mentoring and training to others.
9. CPD
10. Cross site and partnership working

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable

Essential

• BSc/Msc/PhD or equivalent in Nutrition and Dietetics
• HCPC registered
• Evidence of extensive CPD relevant to post
• Student Clinical Educators Course
• Proven teaching and presentation skills
• Proven skills in service development/change

Desirable

• Member of a relevant oncology body/bodies e.g. BDA Oncology Group/BAHNO
• Training and skills in motivational interviewing and behaviour change
• Auding and Research experience
• Experience of supervising /people development
• Experience of working within oncology / Head and Neck teams

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essential

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

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).