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Job summary

Main area
Oncology
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 6
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 18.75 hours per week
Job ref
216-SF-DA8276642
Employer
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Derriford Hospital
Town
Plymouth
Salary
£39,959 - £48,117 Per Annum Pro Rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust logo

Specialist Dietitian Haematology

NHS AfC: Band 6

Job overview

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Dietitian with a background in Oncology and/or Haematology to join our team in this exciting new role. You will play a key role in establishing and developing a specialist nutrition service for patients undergoing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR T) therapy, providing expert nutritional assessment, intervention and support throughout the patient pathway. Working as part of the multidisciplinary CAR T team, you will help shape service delivery, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to the development of clinical protocols, patient education resources and service evaluation.
 

***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

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

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. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. 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. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be a key member of the Haematology multidisciplinary team. You will: Be responsible for the specialist provision of a dietetic service to patients undertaking CAR-T treatment for haematological malignancies in both adult and teenage young adult services.  Work predominantly in the transplant unit but also in a variety of clinical settings including acute haematology wards, chemotherapy and radiotherapy outpatient departments and out-patient clinics. Provide complex nutritional support and supportive dietary advice to patients with haematological cancers.  Work with an experienced team of oncology dietitians covering a range of clinical specialities including Head and Neck, general oncology, and UGI. Be a key member of the multidisciplinary teams working closely with haematology consultants, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, and ward nurses on the specialist wards. Be involved with the supervision and support of junior dietitians, dietetic assistants, and dietetic students.

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR: We are looking for someone who has a keen interest in acute dietetics and nutrition support, with evidence of relevant, strong clinical skills. Flexibility, ability to prioritise and manage a busy, complex caseload is essential. You must have excellent communication skills as well as an empathic nature to help patients manage their condition and be aware of the psychological impact this may have. You should have extensive experience of working with complex nutritional support patients requiring enteral nutrition in the acute setting.

Person specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable experience in clinical dietetics within the NHS post registration
  • Proven Evidence of a particular knowledge/experience in oncology and haematology dietetics and nutrition support
  • Proven Knowledge of national and international guidelines relevant to oncology dietetics
  • Demonstrable Training, supervisory and teaching experience
  • Demonstrable Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
  • Demonstrable Experience in audit, standard setting and guideline development
Desirable criteria
  • Computer skills in database use and statistical packages
  • Demonstrable Experience of enteral feeding
  • Demonstrable Experience with oncology/ palliative care patients
  • Demonstrable Experience with Stem Cell transplant patients
  • Demonstrable Experience with CAR T patients.

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • BSc. in Human Nutrition and Dietetics or equivalent
  • Professional registration (HPC)
  • Completion of Clinical Supervisory Skills course
  • Evidence of recent CPD
Desirable criteria
  • Relevant validated BDA Clinical Update course e.g PENG or oncology/ haematology post registration education
  • Registered for Diploma in advanced dietetic practice
  • A teaching qualification or experience of teaching groups.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Effective communication skills with an ability to communicate with all levels of healthcare personnel (ward staff, kitchen staff, dietitians, senior and junior medical staff, senior managers) as well as patients and their carers
  • Able to work within a team
  • Expertise in the practical skills of nutritional support
  • Effective teaching and presentation skills
  • Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets and presentations
  • Good organisational and time management/ prioritisation skills
  • Ability to supervise students and junior department staff
  • Capable of producing good quality written information for staff and patients
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to lift feeding equipment / deliver feeding supplies to patients on wards
  • Ability to work in a busy Environment
  • Commitment to clinical governance
  • Ability to interpret research findings and apply to practice

Disposition/Attitude/Motivation

Essential criteria
  • Proactive, with an ability to set up new initiative
  • Self motivated
  • Empathetic and approachable
Desirable criteria
  • An enquiring mind with an enthusiasm for research and innovation

Circumstances

Essential criteria
  • Flexible regarding duties
  • May be required to work over a 7 day period in the future

Other factors

Essential criteria
  • Maintains professional appearance
Desirable criteria
  • British Dietetic Association (BDA) membership
  • Member of BDA specialist group

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Disability confident leaderArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - Gold

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

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Nicola Whitford
Job title
Oncology team leader
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01752432251
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