Specialist Oncology Dietitian

Job responsibilities

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To support the band 7 dietitian in a clinical area, and be responsible for own caseload.

To rotate in areas such as lung, upper GI, head and neck, HPB, gynecology, surgery, haematology, acute admissions, and other areas of inpatients and outpatients.

To plan, organise and prioritise patient related and professional demands.

To nutritionally assess oncology patients using the interpretation and evaluation of anthropometric, biochemical, clinical and dietary data, whilst considering the patients social and ethnic circumstances, prognosis and treatment.

To convey complex specialised dietary advice and lifestyle changes to patients and carers using advanced counselling and communication skills.

To diagnose malnutrition and/or risk of Refeeding Syndrome and to liaise with the appropriate consultant with an aim of optimising treatment outcome by recommending the appropriate method of nutrition intervention.

To attend appropriate ward rounds and multidisciplinary meetings in order to provide expert advice to clinicians regarding provision of nutritional support for oncology patients and carers based on clinical evidence.

To communicate/ liaise with nursing staff, AHPs, catering and other health care professionals on steps required implementing patients dietary prescription.

To prescribe the appropriate dietary regimen for clients using evidence-based practice and to manage, monitor and reevaluate the treatment plan as necessary.

To initiate, facilitate and coordinate the setting up of a home enteral feed to ensure a safe discharge.

To refer patients to primary, secondary or alternative tertiary care for monitoring and therapeutic support following transfer or discharge.

To work with the catering department to ensure suitable meal provision to meet the special needs of the oncology patient in line with national standards.

To write, deliver and evaluate internal and external education and training sessions on nutrition and specialist dietetics in relation to oncology to medical staff, nursing staff, AHPs, dietitians, other health care professionals, patients and carers.

To act as a clinical educator by participating in the ABC model of student dietetic placements.

To take an active role in the research, development, implementation, and audit of departmental resources such as diet sheets, policies and standards and to ensure they remain in line with evidence-based practice including Standards of proficiency: Dietitians, The National Dietetic Standards, and Code of Professional Conduct.

To take an active role in the research, development, implementation and audit of evidence-based trust wide nutrition strategies and standards with medical staff, nursing staff, pharmacy and other AHP colleagues to promote safe effective practices of nutrition support.

To maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up to date documentation on individual patients in line with local and national standards and be responsible for the appropriate storage of d with the Health Care Professions Council (H.C.P.C) and trust policy on confidentiality.

To record and submit patient data and statistics as required by the manager and provide information for annual reports and service planning.

To be responsible for the ordering, delivery, and monitoring of specialist prescribable nutritional supplements for individual client needs.

To attend and participate in departmental, professional update meetings and trust nutrition related meetings leading them when required.

To be responsible for own clinical professional development (CPD) to maintain competency and to ensure best practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc Nutrition & Dietetics or BSc degree in relevant science subject plus Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics.
• HCPC registration.
• BDA membership

Desirable

• Teaching qualification course.
• Evidence of post-graduate specialist counselling skills course in oncology, bereavement counselling or breaking bad news.
• Advanced course in nutritional support (e.g. BDA PEN course).
• Student clinical educators course.
• Member of B.D.A oncology group

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of recent acute oncology and nutrition support experience including enteral feeding
• Evidence of multidisciplinary team working.
• Evidence of recent CPD.
• Evidence of audit/ research experience and ability to critique research papers

Desirable

• Clinical supervisory skills
• Parenteral feeding

Skills

Essential

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Good presentation skills and evidence of presentations to large groups.
• Standard keyboard skills - word processing, internet, data inputting, dietary analysis.
• Ability to work effectively single-handed with individuals and groups.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Accurate anthropometrics measurement skills.
• Ability to interpret complex information.

Desirable

• Parenteral feeding

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding the complex effects of cancer and treatments on nutritional status of patients.
• Conversant with enteral feeding systems.
• Sound knowledge of current issues relating to cancer and nutrition support.
• Knowledge of clinical governance

Desirable

• Evidence of oncology / nutrition support courses
• Parenteral feeding

Values

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.

Other

Essential

• Self motivated, reliable
• Able to recognise own limitations

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).