Job summary
Senior Dietitian - Highly Specialist
Gastroenterology & HepatologyAintree University Hospital - Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
An exciting opportunity has arisen
for an experienced and motivated dietitian to join our Gastroenterology and Hepatology team at Aintree.
This senior role involves delivering specialist dietetic care for patients with complex needs, including liver disease, IBD, pancreatitis, and intestinal failure. You will manage enteral and parenteral nutrition, including bespoke TPN, in close collaboration with the Nutrition Support Team and Pharmacy.
As part of a supportive MDT, you will also supervise junior staff and students, contribute to ward rounds, and lead on service development initiatives.
We are seeking a confident, proactive clinician with strong leadership and communication skills. Experience in complex nutrition support is essential; gastroenterology or hepatology experience is desirable.
Main duties of the job
Provide specialist advice to junior dietitians and other healthcare professionals while managing a complex caseload in Gastroenterology and Hepatology as an autonomous practitioner. Work closely with a multidisciplinary team--including consultants, nurses, pharmacists, AHPs, and psychologists--to ensure holistic nutritional care.
Use advanced clinical knowledge to support the strategic planning and development of the dietetic service, and lead on audits, evaluations, and quality improvement initiatives within the specialty.
Deliver specialist training to junior staff, students, and other health professionals, including supervision and support of clinical placements in partnership with local universities.
Contribute to the development and implementation of local guidelines, care pathways, and patient education resources for gastroenterology and hepatology nutrition care.
You will join a well-established, supportive department with specialist teams in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Diabetes, and Nutrition Support. The team benefits from dedicated Dietetic Assistant support, structured peer supervision, and strong links with universities supporting BSc and MSc student training across all levels.
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospitalis the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility.Broadgreen Hospitalis home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Women's Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Philosophy of Nutrition & Dietetics
To provide factually accurate, unbiased, evidence-based nutritional advice appropriate to the needs of the individual. Advice will be delivered using a patient-centred approach, in the context of multidisciplinary and multi-agency care planning.
Job Purpose To act as a clinical lead for the dietetic service in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Aintree. This post will work alongside an established senior dietitian within the specialty to deliver high-quality patient care and contribute to ongoing service development. This includes:
-
Providing a specialist dietetic service to inpatients and outpatients under the care of the gastroenterology and hepatology teams at Aintree University Hospital.
-
Educating and training other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the management of complex nutritional needs relevant to this patient cohort.
-
Providing clinical supervision to newly qualified staff and rotational Band 5/6 dietitians.
-
Supporting the training and assessment of student dietitians on placement.
-
Leading the development and implementation of clinical protocols, guidelines, and nutrition pathways specific to hepatology and gastroenterology care.
Please see the full job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Philosophy of Nutrition & Dietetics
To provide factually accurate, unbiased, evidence-based nutritional advice appropriate to the needs of the individual. Advice will be delivered using a patient-centred approach, in the context of multidisciplinary and multi-agency care planning.
Job Purpose To act as a clinical lead for the dietetic service in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Aintree. This post will work alongside an established senior dietitian within the specialty to deliver high-quality patient care and contribute to ongoing service development. This includes:
-
Providing a specialist dietetic service to inpatients and outpatients under the care of the gastroenterology and hepatology teams at Aintree University Hospital.
-
Educating and training other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) in the management of complex nutritional needs relevant to this patient cohort.
-
Providing clinical supervision to newly qualified staff and rotational Band 5/6 dietitians.
-
Supporting the training and assessment of student dietitians on placement.
-
Leading the development and implementation of clinical protocols, guidelines, and nutrition pathways specific to hepatology and gastroenterology care.
Please see the full job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics/PhD Nutrition and Dietetics
- Current registration with HCPC
- Membership of BDA or equivalent professional indemnity insurance
- Post registration validated training in specialist area - (BDA validated or MSc equivalent
- Supervisory Skills training, minimum introductory level
Desirable
- Supervisory Skills training advanced level
- Member of specialist interest group
- Educated to masters level or equivalent
- Attended leadership/management training
- Non-Medical Prescribing
Experience
Essential
- Broad clinical experience, including post registration experience in speciality
- Evidence of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience of supporting learning of other healthcare professionals
- Experience and evidence of continuing personal and professional development in practice
- Experience in the training of student dietitians
- Previous experience of conducting audits and or research
Desirable
- Evidence of service review/development
- Experience of clinical supervision of others
- Experience of influencing others to improve patient care
Knowledge
Essential
- Establish effective communication methods to convey specialist knowledge to patients individually and in groups in a variety of settings
Desirable
- Post registration credited learning in enhanced communication skills
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates good presentation skills
- Accurate anthropometry skills
- Implements behavioural/counselling techniques to constructively overcome barriers to change
- Able to work autonomously within area of specialism using critical thinking and expert practitioner level judgement
- Ability to meet deadlines, prioritise tasks and support others to do the same
- Demonstrates confidence and motivation to work autonomously using clinical judgement in environments with little direct support
Desirable
- I.T. skills - keyboard, email, Powerpoint
Other
Essential
- Demonstrates holistic patient centred approach
- Commitment to maintain dietetic profile within the multidisciplinary team
- Self-reliant and self-motivated but willing to seek advice and support of others
- Supportive approach to learners
- Ability to respond to unpredictable work patterns
- Enhanced CRB Disclosure
Desirable
- Collaborative and constructive
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics/PhD Nutrition and Dietetics
- Current registration with HCPC
- Membership of BDA or equivalent professional indemnity insurance
- Post registration validated training in specialist area - (BDA validated or MSc equivalent
- Supervisory Skills training, minimum introductory level
Desirable
- Supervisory Skills training advanced level
- Member of specialist interest group
- Educated to masters level or equivalent
- Attended leadership/management training
- Non-Medical Prescribing
Experience
Essential
- Broad clinical experience, including post registration experience in speciality
- Evidence of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience of supporting learning of other healthcare professionals
- Experience and evidence of continuing personal and professional development in practice
- Experience in the training of student dietitians
- Previous experience of conducting audits and or research
Desirable
- Evidence of service review/development
- Experience of clinical supervision of others
- Experience of influencing others to improve patient care
Knowledge
Essential
- Establish effective communication methods to convey specialist knowledge to patients individually and in groups in a variety of settings
Desirable
- Post registration credited learning in enhanced communication skills
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrates good presentation skills
- Accurate anthropometry skills
- Implements behavioural/counselling techniques to constructively overcome barriers to change
- Able to work autonomously within area of specialism using critical thinking and expert practitioner level judgement
- Ability to meet deadlines, prioritise tasks and support others to do the same
- Demonstrates confidence and motivation to work autonomously using clinical judgement in environments with little direct support
Desirable
- I.T. skills - keyboard, email, Powerpoint
Other
Essential
- Demonstrates holistic patient centred approach
- Commitment to maintain dietetic profile within the multidisciplinary team
- Self-reliant and self-motivated but willing to seek advice and support of others
- Supportive approach to learners
- Ability to respond to unpredictable work patterns
- Enhanced CRB Disclosure
Desirable
- Collaborative and constructive
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).
