Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a dietetic assistant to join our busy and friendly team at University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust working in the paediatric and adult dietetic teams working 3 days per week to cover a 12 month fixed term maternity leave.
You need to be hard working, caring and enthusiastic and will assist the dietitians in providing nutrition advice and support to our patients.
You will support patients in hospital, undertaking a mix of clinical patient facing and administrative duties.
We are looking for people who are keen to work in healthcare. Previous experience of working in nutrition and/or working in a hospital setting is desirable but not essential. Good communication and organisational skills (including IT skills) are essential. Full training and support will be provided.
Applications from people from diverse backgrounds are particularly welcomed. We are family friendly so flexible working arrangements may be considered.
The University Hospital Southampton NHSFT Dietetics and Speech and Language Therapy department employs approximately 130 staff, with clinical experts working across a range of specialties, providing both acute and community services in adults and paediatrics.
Our Department operates Monday to Friday 8-5pm
Working for our organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.
At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.
You Will
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Be a member of the dietetic team, working under the supervision of the dietitians to provide evidence-based nutrition advice to patients.
- Work on the inpatient wards to assist with nutrition screening, triaging of patient referrals and provide first line nutrition support advice.
- Be responsible for ordering and stock rotation of feeds and nutritional supplements in designated areas.
- Assist the dietitians with completion of administration tasks such as registering patients for home nutrition support and liaising with GP surgeries and dietitians from other hospitals.
- Assist the dietitians by speaking to patients, families and carers on the phone, to problem solve/ trouble shoot regarding queries they may have in relation to prescriptions or other nutrition queries.
- Provide nutrition training to ward staff, patients and their families.
- Manage your workload and own time effectively with regards to clinical priority.
- Work within your own limitations and seek support from supervising dietitians when required, escalating any concerns as needed.
Person specification
Trust Values
Essential criteria
- Patient First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications / Training Required
Essential criteria
- GCSE minimum grade C or 4 or equivalent in English and Maths
- Vocational qualification (NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) or experience deemed to be equivalent e.g. HCA trained, experience in another therapy assistant role, health trainer role or teaching assistant role
- Computer literate in Windows systems e.g. Word, Excel
Desirable criteria
- Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
- Experience of health service computer systems
- Infection control procedure training
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential criteria
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team and able to demonstrate an understanding of specific clinical roles
- Ability to work independently without close supervision
Desirable criteria
- Recent experience of working within hospital or health service setting
- Experience of talking to groups
Aptitudes And Skills Required
Essential criteria
- Demonstrates a practical approach and flexibility in working style
- Plan and prioritises own workload within agreed boundaries
- Able to cope with unpredictable events / varying work demands
- Flexibility to meet competing priorities
- Ability to recognise own limitations and seek advice when necessary
- Ability to cope with occasional exposure to distressed patients and family members/ unpleasant smells or sights
- Ability to communicate confidently at a variety of levels, e.g. with patients (who may have a range of disabilities) families / carers and health professionals, using a variety of methods
- Ability to overcome barriers to communication, using alternative methods as appropriate
Desirable criteria
- Works well alone and as part of a team
- Awareness of standards of record keeping
