Guy's and St Thomas' is among the UK's busiest and most successful NHS foundation trusts. We provide a full range of hospital and community services for people in south London and as well as specialist care for patients from further afield including cancer, renal, orthopaedic, respiratory and cardiovascular services.
Guy's is home to the largest dental school in Europe and a £160 million Cancer Centre opened in 2016. As part of our commitment to provide care closer to home, in 2017 we also opened a cancer centre and a kidney treatment centre at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup. St Thomas' has one of the largest critical care units in the UK and one of the busiest emergency departments in London. It is also home to Evelina London Children's Hospital.
Evelina London cares for local children in Lambeth and Southwark and provides specialist services across south east England including cardiac, renal and critical care services. We lead a number of specialist service networks aiming to ensure children are treated locally where possible, but have access to specialist expertise when they need it. Our community services include health visiting, school nursing and support for families of children with long-term conditions.
Our adult community services teams deliver care at the heart of the local communities we serve, working in partnership with GPs, local authorities and other healthcare and voluntary sector organisations. Working with our partners in Lambeth and Southwark, we are focusing on new ways of working to improve care for local patients.
In February 2021 the Royal Brompton and Harefield joined Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, bringing together world-leading expertise in the care and research of heart and lung disease. Our merger provides a once in a generation opportunity to build a lasting, world-renowned heart and lung centre, providing the highest quality care for patients and conducting world-leading research.
We have a reputation for clinical excellence and high quality teaching and research. We are part of King's Health Partners, one of eight accredited UK academic health sciences centres. In partnership with King's College London we have dedicated clinical research facilities including an MHRA accredited Phase I clinical trials unit.
Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves on ensuring the best possible patient experience as well as safe, high quality care. We are proud to have one of the lowest mortality rates in the NHS. Following a comprehensive Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection in 2019 we maintained our overall rating of 'good'. Our adult community services achieved a rating of 'outstanding'.
The commitment of our 23,500 staff is key to our success. We are one of the largest local employers and we aim to develop and support all our staff so they are able to deliver high quality, safe and efficient care. The 2019 NHS staff survey results show that we have one of the most engaged and motivated workforces in the NHS. We know this has a positive impact on the care provided to our patients.
We have one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes anywhere in the NHS.
Job overview
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.
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main 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, vitamin 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 Department's 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 Guy's 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 criteria
* 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 criteria
* Substantial clinical experience
* Previous experience at a senior level which must include one years 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 criteria
* Good communication
* Organisational skills
* Presentation skills - evidence of presentations to large groups of patients and staff
* Effective time management
* Change management
* Prioritise own work load 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 criteria
* 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
Guy's and St Thomas' celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitably according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or studies at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership.
Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.
As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends.
Flexible working
We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking into account the individual's personal circumstances as well the needs of the service. We encourage all prospective applicants to discuss their individual circumstances with the recruiting manager as part of the on-boarding process.
Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.
Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now."
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 & Person Spec (PDF, 296.4KB)
* FRF (PDF, 376.6KB)
* Role Descriptor (PDF, 352.6KB)
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