This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated senior Dietitian to join our large dietetic team at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. We are pleased to be able to offer a permanent Band 7 Specialist Dietitian post in Spinal Injuries. This post will be integral to the MDT at Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre and work collaboratively with the wider Dietetic Team at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. The Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre is one of the leading spinal cord injuries centres nationally and one of eight centres in England designated to receive and treat patients with spinal cord injuries. Serving a population stretching as far as East Anglia, it is the second largest spinal cord injury centre in the UK and the regional centre for excellence for Yorkshire, North and North-West England, the East and West Midlands and East Midlands. The Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre provides a lifelong service to a population of patients. Patients are referred to us from across the UK. We also care for patients whose initial hospitalisation occurred abroad. Main duties of the job This post will be based within the dietetic department at Northern General Hospital (NGH). You will lead on the dietetic management of spinal injuries and support the running of the acute team alongside other specialist Dietitians at NGH. You will also be expected to contribute to evidence based practice by leading/participating in appropriate research and audit. You will also be involved in the training and supervision of dietetic students. Opportunities for CPD and further study are actively encouraged within our supportive department. We are a friendly department that prides ourselves on our compassionate leadership approach. We look forward to welcoming you to the team. The postholder will also have team lead responsibilities and as such will be expected to lead, supervise, and support Band 5 and 6 dietitians within the acute team at The Northern General Hospital (NGH). We are looking for someone with extensive clinical experience across a wide range of specialties. Applicants should have excellent communication and organisational skills as well as proven leadership qualities. The STH dietetic department consists of around 65 Dietitians, plus dietetic assistants, and admin staff across 3 hospital sites and Sheffield community. We are a friendly, supportive, and innovative department with a commitment to patient-centred care and best practice. Working for our organisation You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives. The Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre, with a focus on empowering our patients to live as independently as possible, the purpose- built facilities include three dedicated wards, an outpatient’s centre, and specialist physiotherapy and occupational therapy units. Around 200 staff, who are specifically trained to provide spinal injury treatment and rehabilitation, work from our purpose-built centre. Roles include Consultants, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dietitians, and Radiographers. As well as the continuing care in clinical and therapy facilities, it is home to a large, dedicated sports hall used by our patients and as a training facility for both the Sheffield Wheelchair Sports Club and the Sheffield Steelers’ wheelchair basketball team. Our dedicated wards are equipped with four ventilator support beds and our therapy unit contains a specialised gym, a hydrotherapy pool and an in-house flat in which patients can practise vital skills when they return to the community. When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria. Person specification Qualifications Essential criteria • BSc Nutrition and Dietetics or relevant degree with Post Grad Diploma in Dietetics • Current HCPC registration • Attainment of validated post registration qualification at masters level in nutritional support i.e. PEN clinical update • Proven experience and knowledge of nutritional support • BDA accredited behavioural change counselling, motivational and cognitive behavioural skills courses (or equivalent) • University accredited clinical supervisory skills for training students Desirable criteria • MSc or higher degree • Recognised teaching course. • Evidence based practice course • Research and/or audit courses • Experience leading a team of Dietitians Experience Essential criteria • Extensive post registration dietetic experience at senior grade working within a nutrition support speciality. • Evidence of independent working • Able to manage a complex caseload with frequently changing priorities, and deal with interruptions • High level of knowledge of nutritional needs and nutritional assessment of hospital in and outpatients • High level of knowledge of a range of clinical conditions and current best practice for dietetic management, in particular those relevant to spinal injuries • Highly competent to assess patients for enteral feeding, and expertise in enteral feeding products, equipment and regimens, and deal with minor complications Desirable criteria • Experience of supervising staff • High level of experience in the nutritional management of spinal injuries Further Training Essential criteria • Able to balance competing priorities and meet personal and service targets within a fluctuating and demanding workload • Well developed skills to train other health care professionals and student dietitians • Evidence of continued personal and professional development • Committed to engage in professional and personal development and department appraisal system and willing to undergo further training as necessary • Able to develop educational resources to meet the varying needs of clients and carers which are evidence based • Evidence of participation in service objectives • Evidence of active participation in clinical governance e.g. audit projects • Evidence of undertaking and completing audit and/or research projects appropriate to work area • Able to use literature review search methods and can critically appraise evidence Desirable criteria • Evidence of participation in research projects. • Able to assist in the process of recruitment and retention • Able to lead, chair meetings and contribute to operational service delivery and the development of departmental structures and systems Special Skills/Aptitudes (Verbal, numerical, mechanical) Essential criteria • Able to document and record accurately in line with national standards • Able to record activity and other data manually and electronically • Familiar with and able to operate all necessary IT packages e.g. email, Word, dietary analysis, PowerPoint • Excellent interpersonal, communication and team working skills • Able to relate and communicate clearly at all levels with patients, colleagues and members of MDT • Able to communicate with those with poor memory and other communication difficulties as a result of disease or treatment • Ability to work as an integral member of MDT and as an autonomous practitioner • Able to state the case for nutritional intervention as part of the care plan and support junior staff Desirable criteria • Able to use database e.g. Excel Other Factors (e.g. car driver/owner) Essential criteria • Flexible approach to working hours. Desirable criteria • Car owner/driver