Job overview

A full time vacancy has arisen for a neurosurgery dietitian.   We are looking for an experienced and proactive dietitian to manage nutritional care in this specialised area.  

The post holder will have responsibility for all non critical neurosurgery patients, have strong clinical reasoning skills and be focused on optimising patient outcomes.  The role will require regular evaluation of the dietetic service within neurosurgery, ensuring nutrition is fully embedded into all aspects of patients’ care.   The Neurosurgery Dietitian will be a core member of the MDT, providing a source of expertise to patients, carers and staff.

The South West Neurosurgery Centre is based at Derriford Hospital. The Unit provides a comprehensive Neurosurgical Service to adult patients with brain and spinal injuries across Devon, Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, and part of Somerset. The rapid transfer of patients between outlying hospitals and Plymouth is facilitated by two helicopter air ambulances. 

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

To work as a member of the specialist neurosurgery multidisciplinary team based at Derriford Hospital. To be responsible for providing a specialist dietetic service following evidence-based practice, being an active MDT member, provide education, acts as a source of knowledge and expertise, develop ward based nutritional procedures and plans, participate in audit and research related to neuroscience in order to improve clinical outcomes and develop the role and service.

The postholder will work calmly in a busy environment, make sound clinical decisions and be committed to service development. 

This role requires strong nutrition support skills, especially enteral feeding, and extensive acute in-patient experience.   

In addition to the clinical workload the post holder will be a valued member of the dietetic team encouraged to undertake audit and will be responsible for clinical development and supervision of junior staff and student dietitians as well as acting as a professional resource for other dietitians.

Working for our organisation

We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure.
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If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. 
We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. 
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