Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics
- Grade
- Band 6
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 153-SP06853
- Employer
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Poole Hospital
- Town
- Poole
- Salary
- £39,959 - £48,117 pa/pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/10/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 04/11/2026
Employer heading
Specialist Paediatric Dietitian
Band 6
As University Hospitals Dorset we are a three site acute trust with ‘university hospital’ status through our partnership with Bournemouth University, working with an annual budget of £730m.
We offer highly regarded health services, employing some 10,000 staff. Our ambitious £500m transformation programme is well on the way to delivering state-of-the-art facilities over the next two years to meet the current and future healthcare needs of the populations we serve.
In an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over seven miles of sandy beaches you’ll find inspirational opportunities to achieve your perfect work/life balance. With the New Forest and the Purbecks on our doorstep, we’re also less than three hours from London by road or train. The thriving towns of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch give way to idyllic villages and unspoilt landscapes just minutes from our hospitals.
We believe that having a diverse workforce, and allowing people to be themselves, is essential in ensuring we offer an inclusive, welcoming and productive place to work.
We especially welcome applications from minority groups in the community who may be underrepresented in our workforce.
At UHD our active staff network groups are the Women's Network, Black Asian Minority Ethnic Group (BAME), Pride Network, European (EU), Pro Ability Staff Network, and the Armed Forces Support Group.
As a Trust we are proudly signed up to the Disability Confident and Armed Forces Covenant guaranteed interview schemes.
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support the preparation of their application. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of your own experience and suitability. Personal integrity is an important part of the recruitment process.
Job overview
Are you looking for an opportunity to develop or advance your paediatric dietetic career? If you have a strong interest in paediatrics and would like the opportunity to develop your skills in this area or you are already working within paediatrics we would love to hear from you! We are looking for a full-time permanent Band 6 dietitian to join our specialist paediatric team at University Hospitals Dorset.
The successful candidate would be providing cover to the general paediatric wards and general outpatient clinics. The role involves working with a wide range of paediatric in and outpatients and their families, including, but not limited to oncology, allergy, coeliac, weight management and enteral feeding. Some experience of working with a paediatric caseload is desirable.
The role is currently based at Poole Hospital site of UHD However, we anticipate the relocation of services including the paediatric service to a brand-new, purpose-built women’s and children’s unit on the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site, with an expected completion date in April 2027.
We work very closely with the entire paediatric MDT, including consultants, specialist nurses, psychologists, ward and support staff as well as health visitors and children’s community nurses.
Interview date: Wednesday 4th November 2026
Main duties of the job
This post offers excellent opportunities for professional and personal development. The department is committed to CPD and we offer a wide range of in-house specialist training.
You will be invited to regular professional update meetings across the whole dietetic team and we are closely connected with our colleagues across Dorset holding a Dorset wide education and networking event twice yearly.
You will have the opportunity to work on audit and also be involved in student training. You will be very well supported in developing your skills and knowledge according to your needs by the specialist colleagues within each area.
We would love to hear from you if you have a strong interest or experience in paediatrics and would be very happy to have a conversation about specific areas of interest as well how your skill set fits with our service.
We are committed to flexible working and would be happy to offer this post as a job share so please get in touch if this is something you would like to explore.
Working for our organisation
Please call Kirsty on 07919305640 during office hours or email [email protected]
Base Location: Poole Hospital (Moving to RBH April 27)
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued team mates and colleagues.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics or Post-Graduate Diploma in Dietetics.
- HCPC Registration in Dietetics
Desirable criteria
- Behavioral change skills training
- Post-Graduate Paediatric dietetic training
- Clinical supervisory skills training
- Training in leadership and appraisal skills
Experience
Essential criteria
- At least 1 year of experience working in dietetics within an acute NHS setting
- Experience of working as part of an acute MDT
- Experience in giving clinical education to staff, students or assistants and giving constructive feedback
Desirable criteria
- Experience of advanced communication skills including motivational interviewing and encouraging behavioural change
- Experience in conducting clinical audit and understanding of how this can impact a service
- Experience of working in paediatric dietetics within an acute NHS setting
- Experience of supporting and assessing student dietitians
Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to organise, prioritise & delegate
- Able to cope in a stressful environment and with emotional or stressed patients and families
- Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence based nutritional care in an acute setting
- Ability to present information, written and verbal, in a clear & logical manner
Desirable criteria
- Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate evidence based nutritional care in acute paediatrics
- Competent with nutrition data collation and analysis
Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Sound knowledge of a wide range of dietetic practice areas (including but not limited to eating disorders, coeliac, oncology, and nutrition support)
- Evidence of CPD, including attendance at post-graduate courses
- Understanding of clinical governance and its implications for services
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of a range of paediatric dietetic practice areas
- Evidence of paediatric related CPD, including attendance at paediatric post-graduate courses
Personal Attributes and other
Essential criteria
- To be able to work successfully within a team
- To be able to work autonomously within professional and trusts code of conducts
- To be self-motivated, flexible and reliable and to respond positively to change
- To be empathetic and have the ability to have sensitive conversations
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Able to reflect on and appraise own performance
- Able to speak English as necessary to undertake the role
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Kirsty Horsley
- Job title
- Paediatric Dietitian
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07919305640
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