Job summary
A New opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, highly motivated dietitian to join our team in Chelsea, with the opportunity to work on both sites. There will be an opportunity to gain experience in patients with a variety of cancers (including head and neck and gastro-intestinal) at all aspects of their cancer journey. You will have a caseload of both in-patients and outpatient clinics and be supported by a team of dietitians.
What can we provide for you?The opportunity to work within the largest cancer centre in Europe and to build on your existing skills and experience. The hospital encourages professional and personal development through an in-service education programme and support for study leave. The post will provide ample opportunities to extend your knowledge and skill within a specialist environment and you will be encouraged get involved in service development alongside experienced specialist dietitians and teaching.
How do we work?The Nutrition and Dietetics service is part of the Therapies department which is committed to a philosophy that addresses the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of all individuals with cancer through a genuinely multi-disciplinary approach.
Award-Winning Patient CareWe're world-renowned for our research and treatment of cancer and we have been awarded the Charter Mark for our commitment to excellence in patient care.
Main duties of the job
Provide the Royal Marsden Hospital with an effective and flexible nutrition and dietetic service to in and out patients. The post-holder will be a source of knowledge and expertise for, patients, carers and members of the multidisciplinary team.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals - one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey - as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
1. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patients in your care.
2. To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies using advanced clinical reasoning skills particularly in oncology. This may include the use of complex calculations and/or anthropometric/other equipment.
3. Formulate and deliver an individual nutrition and dietetic treatment based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and analysis of biochemical results. To be responsible for providing specialised advice to clients within the oncology setting including nutritional assessment, dietary counselling, motivational interviewing, negotiating targets, developing care plans and communicating these with relevant health and other care agencies. This may be on a one to one basis or to groups, both in an in and out-patient setting.
4. Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment
5. To attend and contribute to relevant departmental meetings and continued professional development meetings i.e. presenting at audit, journal club and clinical supervision
6. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and carers where there may be barriers to communication. For example, patients may be dysphasic, depressed, deaf, blind, unable to accept diagnosis or whose first language is not English. This may include the use of an advocacy service
7. To provide nutrition counselling, evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter intervention if required
8. To manage patients with challenging behaviours by the application of appropriate management strategies such a cognitive behaviour therapy.
9. To work at all times within the Professional code of conduct as stipulated by the Health Professions Council.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information on this role, please see the attached detailed Job Description and Person Specification.
1. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own work including the management of patients in your care.
2. To undertake a comprehensive assessment of patients including those with diverse or complex presentations/multi pathologies using advanced clinical reasoning skills particularly in oncology. This may include the use of complex calculations and/or anthropometric/other equipment.
3. Formulate and deliver an individual nutrition and dietetic treatment based on a sound knowledge of evidence based practice and treatment options using clinical assessment, reasoning skills and analysis of biochemical results. To be responsible for providing specialised advice to clients within the oncology setting including nutritional assessment, dietary counselling, motivational interviewing, negotiating targets, developing care plans and communicating these with relevant health and other care agencies. This may be on a one to one basis or to groups, both in an in and out-patient setting.
4. Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment
5. To attend and contribute to relevant departmental meetings and continued professional development meetings i.e. presenting at audit, journal club and clinical supervision
6. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients and carers where there may be barriers to communication. For example, patients may be dysphasic, depressed, deaf, blind, unable to accept diagnosis or whose first language is not English. This may include the use of an advocacy service
7. To provide nutrition counselling, evaluate patient progress, reassess and alter intervention if required
8. To manage patients with challenging behaviours by the application of appropriate management strategies such a cognitive behaviour therapy.
9. To work at all times within the Professional code of conduct as stipulated by the Health Professions Council.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- BSc Nutrition & Dietetics or relevant postgraduate qualification
- HPC registered
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Clinical experience in a acute clinical setting.
- Demonstrable experience of working within a multidisciplinary team and understanding team dynamics
- Demonstrable understanding of clinical governance and its relevance to everyday practice
Skills
Essential
- The ability to supervise student dietitians and/or Dietetic Support Workers
- Ability to communicate complex medical conditions in sensitive and easily understandable language
- Accurate anthropometric measurements and skills e.g. weights, heights, skin fold calipers to asses nutritional status and devise clinical plan
- Ability to undertake audit and change practice in accordance to findings
- Ability to research and interpret literature and apply to own practice to ensure clinical practice is up to date
- Computer Literacy i.e. Microsoft word, Power Point, Excel
- Good organisational skills i.e. managing own workload
- Ability to be self-motivated, take own initiative and plan own workload and CPD
Desirable
- Ability to demonstrate behaviour change/ motivational interviewing through dietetic consultations
Personal and people development
Essential
- Confident i.e. dealing with patients and health professionals, in clinical care andday to day duties.
- Self-motivated i.e. uses own initiative to seek CPD opportunities, recognise needs of the service and areas to develop
- Able to reflect and appraise own performance
- Able to deal with distressed client's relatives and staff
- Confidentiality i.e. is able to ensure confidentiality where appropriate
Communication
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with people from a variety of backgrounds e.g. via advocacy/interpreters
- Ability to present complex information to large groups (over 20) e.g. presentations to Medical and nursing staff and other health care professionals as well as patients
- Ability to provide specialist advice concerning the nutritional care of patients carers and health care professionals
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- BSc Nutrition & Dietetics or relevant postgraduate qualification
- HPC registered
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Clinical experience in a acute clinical setting.
- Demonstrable experience of working within a multidisciplinary team and understanding team dynamics
- Demonstrable understanding of clinical governance and its relevance to everyday practice
Skills
Essential
- The ability to supervise student dietitians and/or Dietetic Support Workers
- Ability to communicate complex medical conditions in sensitive and easily understandable language
- Accurate anthropometric measurements and skills e.g. weights, heights, skin fold calipers to asses nutritional status and devise clinical plan
- Ability to undertake audit and change practice in accordance to findings
- Ability to research and interpret literature and apply to own practice to ensure clinical practice is up to date
- Computer Literacy i.e. Microsoft word, Power Point, Excel
- Good organisational skills i.e. managing own workload
- Ability to be self-motivated, take own initiative and plan own workload and CPD
Desirable
- Ability to demonstrate behaviour change/ motivational interviewing through dietetic consultations
Personal and people development
Essential
- Confident i.e. dealing with patients and health professionals, in clinical care andday to day duties.
- Self-motivated i.e. uses own initiative to seek CPD opportunities, recognise needs of the service and areas to develop
- Able to reflect and appraise own performance
- Able to deal with distressed client's relatives and staff
- Confidentiality i.e. is able to ensure confidentiality where appropriate
Communication
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with people from a variety of backgrounds e.g. via advocacy/interpreters
- Ability to present complex information to large groups (over 20) e.g. presentations to Medical and nursing staff and other health care professionals as well as patients
- Ability to provide specialist advice concerning the nutritional care of patients carers and health care professionals
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
