Clinical Specialist Dietitian (Neonates)

We are an award winning organisation providing care at two main hospital sites-Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital-and a number of community-based services across London, such as sexual health and HIV clinics.

With 6,700 members of staff, we are proud to care for a diverse population of one million people. We are committed to ensuring that our workforce is just as diverse with a strong mix of skills and abilities.

Our staff are at the very heart of our organisation and we recognise the valuable contribution that each and every person working at the Trust makes. One of our Trust priorities is to be an employer of choice-a place where people want to start their career and to grow with us through continued education, professional development and support.

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Main area Dietitian Grade NHS AfC: Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 289-CS-192

Site Cross site - Chelsea & Westminster Hospital/West Middlesex Hospital Town London Salary £64,156 - £71,148 per annum incl. HCAS Salary period Yearly Closing 06/11/:59 Interview date 19/11/2025

Job overview

An exciting opportunity for a highly experienced dietitian to lead in the delivery of nutrition and dietetics on our neonatal units. The postholder will provide an inpatient service across two units and hold a small outpatient caseload. They will be the clinical expert in neonatal dietetics for the MDT.

There is a strong emphasis on working with the MDT to support and drive family integrated care principles and support the units with the baby friendly initiative. You will work with the supportive and friendly neonatal MDT which includes a team of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Our level 3 unit at the Chelsea site is the surgical centre for North West London. We are looking for someone with expert skills and knowledge in management of nutritional interventions of complex surgical, preterm and term infants, including post-operative and longer term management. The post holder will also provide input and be an expert resource for the level 2 SCBU at West Middlesex University Hospital. The post holder will provide supervision and management of more junior dietitians covering both neonatal units and paediatrics.

This is a new clinical specialist role for the Trust and would be an excellent opportunity for someone wishing to specialise in the neonatal environment, particularly if you're keen on service development and design.

Main duties of the job

• To work as the clinical expert in nutrition and dietetics across both neonatal services
• To provide clinical, operational management and leadership of more junior dietitians
• To provide leadership, direction, teaching and support to facilitate high quality care to infants and families in collaboration with the MDT
• To provide specialist advice within the neonatal services across the Trust and externally as required
• To ensure nutrition and dietetic clinical guidelines and referral criteria are in line with latest evidence

Please refer to attached JD for more details.

Working for our organisation

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites-Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital-along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.

The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites. Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the attached JD for full details of the responsibilities and requirements of the role.

Person specification essential and desirable

• Significant post registration experience as a Band 7/8a in relevant clinical areas that are required for this role.
• Experience of team management in an NHS healthcare setting at band 7 / 8 level
• Evidence of supervision of more junior staff
• Leadership and participation of teaching/in-service programmes
• Demonstrable experience of audit in evaluating and developing a service
• Teaching experience to a broad range of clinicians and students
• Evidence of close working with all members of the multidisciplinary team
• Highly specialist knowledge of a range of conditions and treatments relevant to clinical area.
• Completion of BDA level 5 and enhanced neonatal dietetic modules
• Research in relevant field
• Liaising with external stakeholders and influencing decision making of senior leaders

Important

• The closing date given is a guide only. There may be some occasions when we have to close a vacancy once sufficient applications have been received. You are therefore advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
• Please check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
• If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date, we regret that this usually means your application was not successful.
• In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
• During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
• Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

Name Jackie Falconer; Job title Clinical Lead Paediatric Dietetics; Email address

Francesca Crosby, Children's Therapy Lead

• Looking for flexible work? Why not join our StaffBank .

The recruitment team are available to provide support from 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri. To contact the team please call the Trust switchboard and ask for 'Recruitment team, Human Resources Department'.