Senior Specialist Oncology Dietitian

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. As an oncology specialist to be clinically responsible for a highly complex area of work, as agreed with the dietetic manager and independently plan, organise and prioritise patient related and professional demands.
2. To plan, organise and prioritise patient related and professional demands.
3. To supervise band 6 dietitians on a daily basis, carrying out regular one to one meeting and carrying out annual PDR process.
4. 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.
5. To convey complex specialised dietary advice and lifestyle changes to patients and carers using advanced counselling and communication skills.
6. 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.
7. To attend appropriate ward rounds and multidisciplinary meetings to provide expert advice to clinicians regarding provision of nutritional support for oncology patients and carers based on clinical evidence.
8. To communicate/ liaise with nursing staff, AHP's, catering and other health care professionals on steps required to implement patients' dietary prescription.
9. To prescribe the appropriate dietary regimen for clients using evidence-based practice and to manage, monitor and reevaluate the treatment plan as necessary.
10. To initiate, facilitate and coordinate the setting up of a home enteral feed to ensure a safe discharge.
11. To refer patients to primary, secondary or alternative tertiary care for monitoring and therapeutic support following transfer or discharge.
12. 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.
13. 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, AHP's, dietitians, other health care professionals, patients and carers.
14. To act as a clinical educator by participating in student dietetic placements.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. To record and submit patient data and statistics as required by the manager and provide information for annual reports and service planning.
19. To be responsible for the ordering, delivery and monitoring of specialist prescribable nutritional supplements for individual client needs.
20. To attend and participate in departmental, professional update meetings and trust nutrition related meetings leading them when required.
21. To attend and contribute to the trust nutrition steering committee.
22. To be responsible for own clinical professional development (CPD) to maintain competency and to ensure best practice.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• BSc Nutrition & Dietetics or BSc degree in relevant science subject plus Post Graduate Diploma in Nutrition & Dietetics.
• HCPC registration.
• Clinical supervision training
• Masters level or equivalent course e.g. Advanced course in nutritional support (e.g., BDA PEN course), masters modules

Desirable criteria

• Teaching qualification course.
• Evidence of post-graduate specialist counselling skills course in oncology, bereavement counselling or breaking bad news.
• BDA oncology group member

Experience

Essential criteria

• Recent experience of working in the NHS and in oncology
• Evidence of multidisciplinary team working.
• Evidence of recent recent CPD
• Evidence of recent audit/ research experience and ability to critique research papers
• Experience of enteral and parenteral nutrition
• Experience in home enteral feed discharges
• Presentations/ talks to large groups
• Clinical supervision
• Leadership
• Experience in setting up patient pathways /service
• Student training

Desirable criteria

• Experience of undertaking annual appraisals and absence management
• Experience of leading or co-ordinating audit or research work

Skills

Essential criteria

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Good presentation skills and evidence of presentations to large groups.
• Standard keyboard skills
• Ability to work effectively single-handed with individuals and groups.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• Accurate anthropometrics measurement skills.
• Ability to interpret complex information.
• Evidence of leadership skills Supervision skills

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Understanding the complex effects of cancer and treatments on nutritional status of patients.
• Conversant with enteral feeding systems.
• Excellent up to date knowledge in lung cancer and treatments
• Sound knowledge of current issues relating to cancer and nutrition support.
• Knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of national oncology strategies/ polices/ guidance / pathways.
• Evidence of oncology / nutrition support courses

Values

Essential criteria

• Ability to demonstrate the organisational values and behaviours.

Other

Essential criteria

• Self-motivated, reliable
• Able to recognise own limitations
• Positive mindset in respect of supporting organisational change; learning, and continuous improvement.
• Effective interpersonal and intrapersonal skills including high degree of self -awareness and self-regulation.
• Willingness to support preregistration students
• Demonstrate empathy, sensitivity and tact with patients and their families

The closing date for this post may be extended if there are insufficient applicants or brought forward if there is a high volume of applicants.

We want to ensure that everyone who works at the Christie or uses our services is welcomed, valued and treated with dignity and respect. The Christie values diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and fair representation across the organisation at all levels. In support of these commitments, we particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority people and people with disabilities for this post. Appointment will be only on merit.

We are committed to creating a balanced and diverse workforce. As such we welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. Together we will foster inclusion and tackle inequity and health inequalities in cancer care.

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy

All positions within the Christie are subject to the receipt of satisfactory written references, medical clearance and evidence of your Right to Work in the UK. Some roles will require a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. Please note if you are successfully appointed to a post with this Trust, you will be required to pay for your own DBS Disclosure.

By applying for this post you are agreeing to The Christie NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

If you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, I regret that on this occasion your application will have been unsuccessful.

The Inter-Authority Transfer (IAT) process is a critical and beneficial component of ESR and will form part of the recruitment process. In the event that you are successful following interview your previous NHS employment data, if applicable will be transferred from your current / most recent employer.

Overseas candidates wishing to apply for this position and who would require immigration sponsorship, may wish to self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship for the post on the UKVI website.

You should be aware the Trust operates a No Smoking Policy and therefore employees are not permitted to smoke at work.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

• Job Description and Person Specification (PDF, 127.7KB)
• The Christie Values and Behaviours (PDF, 919.5KB)
• Strategy Brochure (PDF, 1.0MB)
• Trust Membership - Christie Talent (PDF, 23.0KB)
• Travel to The Christie (PDF, 3.8MB)