Advanced Paediatric Renal Dietitian

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

We have received new funding, and are looking for an experienced paediatric dietitian to join our regional paediatric renal team at Southampton Children's Hospital. We care for children with acute and chronic renal failure, including haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and pre and post transplant care. You will possess advanced skills in paediatric dietetics plus excellent team working and communication skills. Previous experience in renal dietetics is not needed, but you must have a recently worked in acute paediatric dietetics. You need to have an empathetic nature and understand the impact long-term health conditions have on children and their families. Research and innovation is embedded into our clinical practice and there will be opportunities for you to develop in this area should you wish.

This role is 0.6 wte but if you are seeking more hours than this, we have other roles that in addition could facilitate this.

We are a large, diverse team and offer excellent opportunities for CPD and career development. We have access to the paediatric grand round education events and have strong links with Southampton University. Audit, service evaluation, QI and research projects are actively encouraged.

We offer protected CPD time and you will have regular one-to-one supervision.

We are a registered trainer for student dietetic placements and the paediatric team won the University of Winchester Placement Educator of the Year Award 2023.

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.

The department of dietetics and speech and language therapy employs approximately 130 staff, working across a range of specialties, providing both acute and community services in adults and paediatrics. We are supported by a large admin team and our teams work closely together on shared initiatives.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Working for your organisation additional:

You will join our Paediatric renal team to work alongside two band 7 and one band 6 paediatric renal dietitians. You will be responsible for a designated case-load of infants and children with renal disease and will attend ward rounds, MDT clinics, and work with other specialist teams to ensure patients receive integrated care.

All staff have free access to the onsite Wellbeing Hub and gym. There is a low cost, secure and efficient park and ride scheme.

Our department is open Monday to Friday 8-5.

Specific to this role is the suitability for agile working which is a mixture of on-site and remote working. In addition, 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.

Role and Responsibilities

You will

• Work as an autonomous practitioner, providing highly specialist clinical dietetic expertise to a designated case-load of children with renal disease
• Provide advanced dietetic assessments and individualised treatment plans for a complex specialist caseload
• Support the clinical and professional development of junior dietetic staff and students
• Lead on the development of policies and resources to support delivery of evidence-based dietetic advice
• Identify and lead service improvement, audit and research and disseminate results and best practice through publication and presentation
  
  

Experience And Skills Needed

• You will be a highly skilled paediatric dietitian with recent and significant experience of working in acute paediatrics, with an excellent knowledge of paediatric nutrition support.
• You must be able to demonstrate advanced analytical thinking, show attention to detail and possess excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
• You must be able to voice your professional opinion and provide advice and guidance to dietetic and other health care professional colleagues.
• Experience of leading or co-ordinating audit or research work is desirable
  
  

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working Together
  
  

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• Degree or equivalent in Nutrition and Dietetics
• Masters level qualification or equivalent experience
• HCPC (Health and Care professions Council) registered dietitian (RD)
• Evidence of post-graduate training in relevant speciality
• Experience of supervising staff
• Experience and involvement with training
• Evidence of extensive dietetic knowledge and highly specialist expertise in relevant specialist area with recent experience demonstrating this
• Ability to carry out physical anthropometric measurements and assess nutritional status
• Demonstration of understanding of clinical governance and its implications for service delivery
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Member of British Dietetic Association (BDA) and relevant specialist groups
• Experience of leading or co-ordinating audit or research work.
• Experience of leading or co-ordinating audit or research work.
  
  

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Presentation skills
• Teamwork
• Microsoft Office skills
• Communication
• Record keeping
• Attention to detail
• Interpersonal skills
• Organisational skills
• Prioritisation
• Keyboard skills
• Numeracy skills
• Policy development
• Report writing
• Leadership
• Advanced analytical thinking