Specialist Dietitian – Critical Care


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£49,387 to £56,515 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Headington, Oxford, OX3 9DU
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	11 Sept 2026
Closing date:	24 Sept 2026

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Summary

CLINICAL Be professionally and legally accountable for own work and caseload. Work autonomously as a lead clinical specialist, in the provision of a comprehensive nutrition and dietetic service to the adult critical care units within the OUH. Contribute to the provision of a comprehensive specialised dietetic service to critical care units. This will include: - Providing a highly specialised clinical service to the adult critical care and high dependency units at the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospitals and the critical care unit at the Horton Hospital - There may be a requirement to provide cover to the Neuro Intensive Care unit and Neurosciences ward. - Help co-ordinate the dietetic service provided by other staff to the adult critical care unit at the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospitals and the critical care unit at the Horton Hospital - Train other dietitians in this speciality (band 6s and band 5s on rotation and TPN dietitians) - Help co-ordinate professional development, development of standards / protocols / guidelines for all critical care areas across the Trust (i.e. inclusive of cardiac and neuro ITUs) To assess the nutritional status of individual patients based on anthropometric measurements e.g. weight, height, weight history as well as biochemical parameters, diet history and other validated methods of nutritional assessment as appropriate. Obtain and analyse relevant information from different sources including: electronic patient records, medical notes, nursing notes, the patient and their carers, ward staff etc, in order to make a comprehensive assessment of the patients needs. Provide hands on care to support nutrition as required, within scope of practice and clinical competency. Attend regular critical care team meetings when patient care is reviewed, liaison meetings with other multi-disciplinary teams where patients joint care is planned and reviewed, case conferences, ward rounds and governance meetings. Along with the team lead and Band 7 colleagues to have responsibility for all organisation, liaison and monitoring of the dietetic aspect of this service. To communicate effectively with patients, carers, family and other health professionals. Skills of negotiation, motivation, explanation and gaining consent will be used in a wide variety of and sometimes sensitive situations. The ability to communicate complex information at an appropriate level to allow understanding is essential. Barriers to communication may be evident e.g. loss of hearing, receptive and expressive problems with the formulation and understanding of language or difficulties with speaking. The use of communication aids such as letter/picture boards or games may be necessary. Participate in research and audit undertaken by the adult critical care and/or Dietetic team. Presentation of audit or research results at national or international conferences to promote practise and share expertise with colleagues. To provide specialist advice, teaching and training to all members of the multidisciplinary team, regarding the nutritional management of critical care patients. This involves regular participation in in-house training of clinicians and both specialist and ward nursing staff Organisational To collect data as required by the department, trust and outside agencies. Collation of audit data on the outcomes of critical care patients managed in the dietetic service To determine priorities for own work area based on clinical need and balance patient caseload with professional demands. To maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of patient interventions on electronic patient records. To communicate any changes in day to day management and dietetic interventions to appropriate members of the multidisciplinary team. This is achieved by documenting within nursing/medical notes or by means of generating a letter/report and/or updating any patient database. Management and professional responsibilities: Be accountable for own actions working within the professional, ethical and legal framework for dietetics set out in the Health Profession Councils Dietitians Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics and the British Dietetic Associations Professional Standards for Dietitians and Code of Professional Conduct. To participate in departmental audits and initiate/lead audits within own work area in order to monitor and evaluate whether local/ national standards are being met and make recommendations for change. To remain up to date with the relevant literature and ensure that this informs evidence based practice which will optimise the long term outcomes for each individual patient. Clinically supervise less experienced dietitians (e.g. Band 5 Dietitians on rotation), and student dietitians during clinical placement. PROFESSIONAL To initiate and lead discussions on organisational, professional and clinical issues relevant to the service area. Along with the Service Managers, to be responsible for the dietetic service provided to their clinical area and its development. To continue to develop own knowledge and skills and contribute to the development of colleagues within the MDT and the Dietetic Service. This involves: a) taking responsibility for own continuing professional development (CPD) and provide evidence for this by maintaining a CPD portfolio. CPD involves critical evaluation of scientific papers, attending professional development meetings, working as a reflective practitioner and attending relevant internal/external courses. b) Participating in own annual appraisal, identifying own development and training needs and setting personal development objectives with line manager. c) Undertaking all relevant statutory and mandatory training d) Involvement in the dietetic student training programme e) Providing specialist education and advice to dietetic colleagues in their clinical specialist area via regular departmental professional update meetings f) Attending and representing the department and lead area of work at the regional and national meetings as appropriate. To be responsible for communicating effectively and working collaboratively with the Dietetic team, line managers, other health professionals within the MDT and other organisations to ensure a co-ordinated and evidence based approach to the delivery of dietetic care. To have responsibility for and lead the development, promotion and delivery of the specialist dietetic service for patients in adult critical care units. This involves a) Developing dietetic practice to ensure evidence based practice and an equitable service delivery b) Applying legislation, policies and procedures and making appropriate recommendations for service delivery c) Managing development projects relevant to the clinical area, the dietetic service and the NHS organisations involved d) Making recommendations and managing service improvement e) Evaluating own work and that of the team, including clinical audit f) Recognising the need to seek appropriate support g) Active involvement in multidisciplinary team meetings, dietetic departmental meetings and discussions To demonstrate risk management skills and a sound understanding of clinical governance and apply to the work situation. Education and professional development responsibility: To keep a portfolio providing evidence of continual professional development (C.P.D.). This may include critical evaluation of scientific papers, attending professional development meetings, working as a reflective practitioner and attending relevant internal/external courses. Participate in annual appraisal, identifying own development and training needs and setting personal development objectives within an Annual Report Actively participate in the dietetic student training program, facilitating the development of skills and knowledge, being involved in the assessment process and acting as a mentor.

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