Team Lead Dietitian; Medicine & Neurosciences

Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. This fixed term, part-time Band 7 role as team lead for the Medicine and Neurosciences Dietetic Team is available due to the secondment of the current post holder.

The post holder will line manage a team of dietitians working across medicine, medicine for older people and neurosciences, providing supervision, conducting appraisals, authorising leave, organising cover and managing attendance. The successful candidate will hold a clinical caseload specialising in neurosciences. UHS is a leading teaching hospital hosting a wide range of specialist tertiary services and a nutrition biomedical research centre.

The department of dietetics and speech and language therapy employs approximately 130 staff, with clinical experts working across the range of specialties, providing both acute and community services. Opportunities for leadership development are supported as part of this role.

Working for our organisation:
All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on-site and remote working; flexible working options can be discussed  employees have access to NHS discounts, a minimum of 35 days holiday (pro rata), and a generous pension scheme. Southampton is a desirable location with transport links and local amenities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of dietitians working across acute and specialist medicine, medicine for older people and neurosciences.
• Provide supervision and support for junior staff and ensure adequate cover during periods of staff absence; complete appraisals for designated staff.
• Attend regular meetings with other team leads and managers; lead on recruitment and selection of junior staff as vacancies arise.
• Lead on assigned projects within specialty areas and provide a clinical dietetic service to patients with neurological conditions.
• Work closely with MDT colleagues in planning and delivery of clinical services and initiatives; represent dietetics at relevant meetings.
• Lead service developments, audits and specific projects; provide training to ward staff and MDT colleagues.

We are looking for an HCPC registered dietitian with significant clinical experience. You must have experience in managing complex nutrition support patients and experience supervising or mentoring junior staff (training available to develop leadership skills). You must have excellent communication skills and an empathic nature, and be able to work within an MDT as a highly specialist dietitian. You should demonstrate good organisational and caseload management skills and be able to assist junior staff with prioritisation and time management.

An understanding of service development is helpful but not essential. The service operates Monday to Friday and working days can be negotiated.

• Degree or equivalent in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
• HCPC registered Dietitian (RD)
• Post-graduate training in relevant specialty
• Experience of supervising staff and involvement with training
• Extensive dietetic knowledge and highly specialist expertise in the relevant specialty with recent experience
• Ability to carry out anthropometric measurements and assess nutritional status
• Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for service delivery

• Member of British Dietetic Association and relevant specialist groups
• Experience leading or coordinating audit or research
• Clinical supervisory skills training

• Contact:
  Bethan Jenkins, Lead Adult Dietitian; ;
  Tel:
• Application note:
  Vacancy may close earlier if many applications; no agency queries accepted.

Equality remains at the centre of our policy making, service delivery, and employment practice, giving all employees equal opportunity to develop and apply for promotions, and achieve work-life balance. UHS promotes a harassment- and discrimination-free work environment and provides training to ensure compliance. The Trust may share information for fraud prevention and auditing purposes and adheres to data protection regulations.