An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our oncology dietetic team at Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust as a full-time, fixed-term band 7 vacancy to cover maternity leave.
The successful candidates will require prior knowledge and experience of working in oncology, nutrition support and palliative care in addition to a clear understanding of the Trust Values and how they can be applied to working within our team.
Interviews for this post will be held week commencing 20th January 2025. For further information or an informal chat please contact Saira Chowdhury (Principal Oncology Dietitian) by email at saira.chowdhury@gstt.nhs.uk.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be based at Guy's Hospital managing patients across the cancer pathway from diagnosis, through treatment to living with and beyond cancer.
The haematology and teenage young adult (TYA) oncology dietitian is based in outpatients within the cancer Centre to provide a dietetic service to 4 haematology and TYA MDT clinics. Please note all stem cell transplants are undertaken at Kings College Hospital and so a cohort of our patients' care will transfer across if selected for this treatment. Alongside face-to-face outpatient clinics, the postholder will also run a telephone clinic over the week. Ward cover will be expected to support cover during periods of leave taken by team colleagues.
Due to extended clinic hours, there will be a requirement to cover a clinic that finishes at 6.30pm. We support flexible working and there are opportunities to work from home one day a week, but all team members are expected to come in if staffing levels to support clinical cover if needed.
A B6 haematology dietitian supports the haematology dietetic service through ward cover. This postholder will provide supervisory support to this dietitian as well as contributing to service improvement work and supporting the team lead dietitian with delivery of leadership to the team.
The postholder will work in collaboration with dietitians across the South East London Cancer Alliance where patients are seen at diagnosis or during hospital admissions.
About us
We are an established team of 8 oncology dietitians and 1 dietetic assistant working in the Cancer Centre at Guy's Hospital. The oncology dietetic team is highly respected within the oncology and haematology directorate. As such we are looking for enthusiastic dietitians with excellent team working, organisational, time management and problem-solving skills to join our friendly and forward-thinking team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Applicants should have substantial clinical experience and be able to work autonomously with initiative.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
* To be responsible for the development and provision of a specialist, evidence-based dietetic service.
* To take the lead in providing expert dietetic advice to the multidisciplinary team through attendance and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings and ward rounds.
* To attend appropriate ward rounds and multidisciplinary meetings in order to provide expert advice to clinicians, patients and carers regarding provision of nutritional support for patients based on clinical evidence. This will involve nutritional assessment, to include the calculation of nutritional requirements based on the interpretation of biochemistry, anthropometry clinical condition and other physical parameters.
* To provide highly complex nutrition counselling to patients and/or their carers requiring post-registration cognitive behavioural therapy and use of reassurance and motivational skills to overcome barriers to change particularly where there is non-compliance.
* Ability to utilise developed communication and teaching skills to educate the diverse and multicultural population with barriers to understanding, both on a one-to-one basis and in groups. This will include patients with severe communication problems.
* To be responsible for ensuring that patients and carers have consented prior to dietetic intervention in line with professional guidelines.
* To communicate and liaise with medical, nursing and other professional staff. To attend appropriate ward rounds and meetings, providing highly specialised expert advice based on interpretation of biochemical parameters and fluid status monitoring, and care guidelines.
* To have a thorough knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and its implications.
* To lead on the design, implementation and evaluation of multi-disciplinary protocols and procedures aimed at improving nutritional status.
* To communicate and liaise with the community multidisciplinary team regarding nutrition-related prescriptions and nutritional management of outpatients and where necessary providing information and education to clinicians, patients and carers.
* To directly prescribe nutritional supplements, vitamins and minerals.
* To be responsible for the ordering and maintenance of adequate stock levels of feeds and supplements at ward level.
* To develop, implement and audit innovative methods of delivering education sessions.
* To research, develop, produce and publish evidence-based literature, including use of patient forums.
* To be responsible for the safe discharge planning and follow up for those patients requiring artificial nutritional support in the community.
* To be trained to trainer level in the use of enteral feeding pumps and equipment.
* To be trained to trainer level in the use of anthropometric equipment for assessment of nutritional status, such as bioelectrical impedance, callipers and hand grip dynamometer and interpretation of results.
* To develop and lead nutrition teaching programmes on postgraduate dietetic, nursing and other courses as appropriate.
* To develop and lead nutrition teaching programmes for medical staff within the Trust.
* To be responsible for the development and undertaking of the specialist training programme of the Departments junior staff as part of the band 6 rotation.
* To participate, where deemed appropriate by clinical Dietetic Services Manager, in the recruitment and selection of junior members of staff.
* To be responsible for the clinical supervision and appraisal of junior staff, facilitating their professional development and post-graduate learning.
* To undertake mentoring of junior members of staff as appropriate.
* To provide regional teaching of qualified dietitians on nutrition.
* To participate in the training and assessment of student dietitians.
* To contribute to operational and strategic planning for the dietetic service within the specialist area.
* To ensure safe practice through development of caseload management plan taking into account risk management and documentation and reporting of critical incidents as outlined in the Trust policy.
* To take responsibility for ongoing clinical excellence through evidence-based practice and development of standards, policies and guidelines in conjunction with the departmental standards committee.
* To advise and liaise with the catering staff concerning the dietary needs of patients, and to assist in instructing chefs on preparation of special meals as required. To adapt and analyse the menu cycle to ensure suitability, and make recommendations to the site Catering Manager.
* To initiate and participate in regular research and audit in line with departmental research and audit procedures. This includes co-ordination and supervision of research projects for undergraduate dietetic students. It will be expected that any relevant findings should be published or presented at appropriate conferences.
* To actively participate in departmental evidence-based groups and help to ensure that the trusts clinical governance requirements are met.
* To keep statistics and written records of all in-patient and outpatient contacts in accordance with trust and departmental standards for record keeping.
* To comply with professional codes of practice, professional guidelines and departmental policies.
* To maintain strict confidentiality in accordance with the Trust policy and Health Professions Council standards.
* To be an active team member of the Dietetic Department at Guys and St Thomas, participating in departmental developments and projects and attending monthly staff and continuing professional development meetings. To participate fully in the appraisal process and develop a strategy for continuing professional development encompassing a portfolio-based assessment in line with national legislation.
* To carry out good office practice in accordance with the department's policies and procedures.
* To have an understanding of the Trust's Equal Opportunities policy and provide a fair and non-biased service.
* To have an understanding of the Trust's Health & Safety policy and be aware of responsibilities.
* To provide cover for colleagues during periods of absence.
* In consultation with the post-holder, undertake any other duties appropriate to the grade as requested by the Dietetic Services Manager.
Person Specification
Knowledge/Qualifications
Essential
* BSc in Dietetics or equivalent
* Current State Registration
* Postgraduate training behaviour change/motivational interviewing
* Required to have attended relevant Post Graduate courses or be working at Masters level
* Sound Clinical knowledge of current issues relating to specialist area
* Evidence of CPD e.g. advanced diploma in dietetic practice or equivalent short courses
* Advanced course in nutritional support e.g. PEN Group course
* Evidence of further postgraduate study in specialist area
Experience
Essential
* Substantial clinical experience
* Previous experience at a senior level which must include one year of experience in cancer
* Experience of training student dietitians and supervising junior staff
* Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Previous experience of conducting audit and delivering research
Skills
Essential
* Good communication
* Organisational skills
* Presentation skills - evidence of presentations to large groups of patients and staff
* Effective time management
* Change management
* Prioritise own workload and support others to do so
* Able to work under own initiative
* Able to achieve deadlines
* Ability to liaise with professionals at all levels
Other
Desirable
* Previous specialist related publications
* Member of the BDA
* Member of relevant specialist interest group
* Teaching on degree (or higher level) / professional course
* Representative on academic / government committee / working party
Employer details
Employer name
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Guy's Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London
SE1 9RT
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