Clinical Lead Dietitian in Chester

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Band 7 Dietitian to lead our specialist nutrition support service for critically ill and surgical inpatients. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled dietitian with advanced knowledge of critical care, perioperative nutrition, and parenteral nutrition (PN) to shape and drive high‑quality nutritional care across complex clinical areas.

In this senior role, you will provide expert dietetic assessment and management for patients requiring PN and complex enteral feeding within ICU and surgical wards. You will work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, contributing specialist advice that informs clinical decision‑making, optimises nutritional status, and supports improved patient outcomes.

You will provide clinical leadership for the dietetic team, supervising junior staff, supporting student training, and promoting a culture of evidence‑based practice. The postholder will also lead on service development, audit, and quality improvement initiatives, ensuring safe, effective, and patient‑centred nutrition pathways. Strong communication, autonomy in clinical reasoning, and confidence in managing highly complex nutrition support cases are essential.

If you are passionate about advancing dietetic practice in critical care and surgery, and keen to influence and develop a specialist service, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert dietetic assessment and management for patients requiring PN and complex enteral feeding within ICU and surgical wards.
• Work with multidisciplinary team, providing specialist advice.
• Supervise junior staff, support student training, promote evidence‑based practice.
• Lead service development, audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Travel between The Countess of Chester Hospital and Ellesmere Port Hospital, and carry out home visits as needed.
• Participate in diabetes MDT clinics (evening twice per month), deliver level 3 carb‑counting education, and provide structured education for families.

Qualifications & Experience

• Recent clinical experience as a dietitian in critical care / perioperative settings.
• Qualifications, CPD, and registration (as required by the NHS).
• Advanced knowledge of critical care, perioperative nutrition, and parenteral nutrition.

Employment details

Working part‑time: 18.75 hours per week.

Senior Level

Mid‑Senior level

Job function

Health Care Provider

Industries

Hospitals and Health Care

Location

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provides services to West Cheshire and Welsh patients covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

• The Countess of Chester Hospital: 438 general and acute beds.
• Ellesmere Port Hospital: 56 beds (rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient).
• Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: base for community services.

Trust employs over 5916 staff (headcount), provides acute emergency and elective services, primary care direct access services and obstetric services to a population of approximately 411,000.

Contact

For further details or informal visits contact:
Name: Kirsty Capper
Job Title: Team Leader
Email: kirsty.capper@nhs.net
Telephone: 01244 36 6581