Dietitian

NHS; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job description

Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Dietitian

The closing date is 27 February 2026

An opportunity has arisen to join our friendly, forward thinking and collaborative team at South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. Our Dietetic Department of more than 55 staff is managed as one team, but is structured into smaller teams led by Senior Specialist Dietitians. We are actively involved in the training of Trainee Dietitians and offer A, B and C placements for both Leeds Beckett and Newcastle University.

This is a rotational post and there will be opportunities to shadow specialists working in renal medicine, diabetes, paediatrics, gastroenterology, critical care, Head & Neck, bariatrics, peri‑op surgical, and stroke. CPD is actively encouraged with good post‑graduate education and training opportunities.

We are looking to recruit a self‑motivated and committed Dietitian to join our friendly and proactive department. This post will include inpatient work in nutrition support, general medicine, general surgery and elderly care. The successful candidate will also be responsible for delivering outpatient clinics, providing dietetic advice and support for patients and their carers referred regarding nutritional support, diabetes and weight management.

Our department recognises the importance of work‑life balance and we actively support flexible working within our department.

Transport links to Newcastle city centre via Metro. Prospective applicants are welcome to contact the department for any further information.

Main duties of the job

This role sits within the Dietetic acute team. It will provide good variety to those looking to gain well‑rounded experience in both inpatient and outpatient services. A working week will typically include outpatient clinics and daily ward sessions, so applicants need to have an interest in working across these settings and good organisation skills to balance the workload. There will be training provided to ensure that the successful candidate feels confident to carry out their clinical tasks independently as well as regular one‑to‑one sessions where developmental goals can be highlighted and supported. The Nutrition and Dietetics department has excellent working links with the wider MDT and we are looking for an applicant who is confident in communicating with a range of professionals.

There will be an element of cross‑site working, however, where the successful applicant is based can be negotiated. To aid with cross site working, there is a free shuttle bus between the Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District General and both sites are close to metro stops.

The department is friendly and supportive and encourages CPD, including regular clinical supervision and evidence based practice groups. New graduates will be supported through the preceptorship programme by a buddy who will meet them regularly and provide guidance.

This post is subject to satisfactory DBS check at Enhanced level.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits – Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co‑ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

The main duties of the job include:

• To manage a caseload of inpatients. Band 5s are given a variety of wards to ensure that they are getting good experience in different areas of Dietetics. These may include respiratory, haematology, endocrinology as well as general medicine and COTE. We are a supportive team who encourage staff to discuss any queries and will offer support with any complex patients on a band 5s ward.
• Tocomplete outpatient clinics once per week. These will contain a mix of nutrition support, Type 2 Diabetes, IBS etc. There will be an opportunity to take coeliac clinics too, for which training will be provided.
• Partake in a rotation once per week. The rotations are 6 months long and are based within a speciality that the band 5 finds interesting and would like to learn more about. Rotations available include critical care, gastroenterology, renal, bariatrics, paediatrics, diabetes, stroke, head and neck cancer and surgical. These are learning opportunities for the band 5 and they are encouraged to keep skills up in this area once the rotation is completed.
• New graduates are supported within their first 6 months through the preceptorship programme. They meet with an assigned buddy dietitian and compile a portfolio of their progress in their new role.
• The department takes A, B and C students. The post holder will be encouraged to take an active role in student training once established in their role.
• To comply with the Trusts Vision, Values and Behaviours.
• PLEASE SEE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Person Specification

Skills

• Able to present information, written and orally, clearly and logically to individuals or groups.
• Able to apply sound knowledge in a practical manner.
• Able to use different skills to bring about compliance depending upon patient needs e.g. motivational, persuasive, counselling, reassuring.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• IT skills including data input, word processing, powerpoint and dietary analysis.

Qualifications

• Degree or Post‑Graduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics.
• State Registration to Health Care Professions Council.
• Knowledge of professional boundaries.
• Understanding of Professional Code of Conduct and application in practice.
• Knowledge of audit and research methods.

Personal Qualities

• Able to prioritise a busy workload.
• Have the ability to travel to various locations across Sunderland.
• Car driver and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
• Willing to work as part of a team.
• Flexibility.
• Self‑motivated and committed.
• Positive.
• Able to work on own initiative.
• Forward thinking and proactive.
• Enjoy working autonomously.

Experience

• Some experience of providing dietetic support to inpatients and outpatients.
• Experience of using Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST).

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.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust