Job Overview University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for a detailed job description for the role. Main duties of the job We have an opportunity for a dietetic assistant to join our busy and friendly team at University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust working in the paediatric and adult dietetic teams for either full or part time working. We are looking for hard working, caring and enthusiastic staff to assist the dietitians in providing nutrition advice and support to our patients. Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting. For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached. Working for our organisation As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme. Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted. All UHS staff have access to the staff Wellbeing Hub and the free onsite staff gym. There is an efficient, low cost Park and Ride Scheme. Our Department operates Monday to Friday 8-5pm Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service. Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities Our dietetic assistants work in a variety of roles supporting patients in hospital and also in their own homes, undertaking a mix of clinical patient facing and administrative duties. We are advertising one fulltime role which is split 0.6 paediatrics and 0.4 adults. We will consider applicants for the full time role but also those who wish to work part time in either of these areas. The University Hospital Southampton NHSFT Dietetics and Speech and Language Therapy department employs approximately 130 staff, with clinical experts working across a range of specialties, providing both acute and community services in adults and paediatrics. Person specification Trust Values Essential criteria Patients First Always Improving Working Together Qualifications / Training Required Essential criteria GCSE minimum grade C or 4 or equivalent in English and Maths Vocational qualification (NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) or experience deemed to be equivalent e.g. HCA trained, experience in another therapy assistant role, health trainer role or teaching assistant role Computer literate in Windows systems e.g. Word, Excel Desirable criteria Basic Food Hygiene Certificate Experience of health service computer systems Infection control procedure training Previous or relevant experience necessary Essential criteria Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team and able to demonstrate an understanding of specific clinical roles Ability to work independently without close supervision Desirable criteria Recent experience of working within hospital or health service setting Experience of talking to groups Aptitudes And Skills Required Essential criteria Demonstrates a practical approach and flexibility in working style Plan and prioritises own workload within agreed boundaries Able to cope with unpredictable events / varying work demands Flexibility to meet competing priorities Ability to recognise own limitations and seek advice when necessary Ability to cope with occasional exposure to distressed patients and family members/ unpleasant smells or sights Ability to communicate confidently at a variety of levels, e.g. with patients (who may have a range of disabilities) families / carers and health professionals, using a variety of methods Ability to overcome barriers to communication, using alternative methods as appropriate Desirable criteria Works well alone and as part of a team Awareness of standards of record keeping