Go back East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Highly Specialist Surgical Dietitian
The closing date is 08 June 2026
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Specialist Dietician to provide a comprehensive dietetics service in surgical and critical care settings. You will also provide leadership for the dietetic team, in conjunction with the Clinical Lead.
This position is part of an expanding team with an opportunity to help shape the future service provision. It is anticipated that your clinical experience and knowledge will contribute to the development, evaluation and quality improvement of the surgical and intensive care department. If you are an enthusiastic, innovative and motivated Dietitian with a passion for Nutrition support and surgery, looking for a leadership opportunity, this may be your opportunity.
This post would be suitable for a highly motivated dietitian who already has knowledge and experience of working with patients with a diverse adult clinical caseload in surgical and critical care settings. You will work closely with the MDT to provide seamless dietetic care along the patients pathway. You will receive training and support as required. You will be expected to supervise and mentor student dietitians, Dietetic Assistants and junior staff.
You will be supported in attending relevant professional networking meetings and interest groups. We have student placements 2 and 3. We have good support from administrative and Dietetic Assistants.
Main duties of the job
The Dietetic team is part of a large and friendly therapy department and works closely with the wider MDT to provide expert nutritional advice for patients within the specialty area. Follow evidence-based practice, being an active MDT member, provide education, acting as a source of knowledge and expertise, developing ICU based nutritional protocols and plans, participate in audit and research related to critical care in order to improve clinical outcomes and develop the role and service.
The post holder is involved in all nutrition and dietetic departmental activities and contributes to the delivery of a Trust wide dietetic service.
About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is ‘great healthcare from great people’. Everything we do is guided by our values: ‘People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference’. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called ‘We care’. It’s about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day‑to‑day. We’re looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates for a Skilled Worker Visa for roles that are eligible at the time of application.
Job responsibilities
Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in Documents to download.
If you have any further queries please don’t hesitate to contact the line manager using the contact details below.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
* BSc Nutrition and dietetics or relevant degree with post graduate diploma in dietetics
* Health Professions Council registration for dietetics
* Trained in facilitated learning for Undergraduate Practice Placements
* Undergraduate Practice Placements
* Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
* Membership of a BDA Interest Group
Governance
* Experience of dietetics in the acute setting
* Experience of managing patients with nutritional support requirements including enteral nutrition in an acute setting
* Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
* Experience of managing enteral feed discharges
* Experience of supervising dietitians/dietetic assistant practitioners
* Experience of audit, research and service improvement projects
* Knowledge of national policies, procedures and guidelines (relevant to the specialist patient group)
* High knowledge of the dietetic management of critical care patients
* Current knowledge of enteral feeding systems and parenteral nutrition
* Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance and experience of conducting clinical audit
* Experience of MDT collaboration at all levels
* Experience of managing patients on parenteral nutrition
* Experience of managing parenteral feed discharges
Clinical Skills & Experience
* Able to work safely and effectively under own initiative.
* Ability to work in a team, with good time management and organisational skills
* Excellent communication skills - both verbal and written
* Ability to cope working in a stressful environment and with emotional or aggressive patients and carers
* Ability to teach effectively
* Recognised leadership or clinical supervisory skills qualification / training
* Advanced clinical reasoning skills
Personal & Professional Attributes
* Polite, pleasant and understanding manner
* Ability to be adaptable to meet changing requirements and needs
* Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and to plan and action patient-focused care pathways
* Contribute to safe and effective patient care
* A knowledge of and experience in working with different cultures and religious beliefs
Other Requirements
* Ability to travel across sites
* Own transport
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Address
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital
#J-18808-Ljbffr