All you need to know about working as a Dietitian in the UK

What is a dietitian?

A dietitian plays an important role in the NHS working with other Allied Health Professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team. They may carry out a range of roles from providing advice in the community to work towards a healthier life style to ensuring patients in intensive care receive the correct tube feeds. A dietitian starts as a band 5 on qualification, moving up to band 6 typically after a couple of years. There’s the opportunity to move up through the NHS bandings as you develop your experience.

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What is a dietitian’s salary?

In the NHS for permanent staff the salary bands work as follows, outside of London, London salaries do attract an uplift:

Band 5: £24,214 - £31,112
Band 6: £30,401 - £37,267
Band 7: £37.570 - £43,772

For temporary (locum) assignments, the rates are paid hourly and are considerably more:

Band 5: £18-£20 an hour
Band 6: £21 - £26 an hour
Band 7: £25 - £30 an hour

To work as a dietitian, you must be registered with the HCPC as it is a protected title, to register you will need an accredited degree in Nutrition and Dietetics or similar (BSc or MSc). For Band 7 roles, a masters is frequently required. It is also advisable to register with British Dietetic Association (BDA).

To work as a locum in the UK you will be asked to complete a range of documentation including health screening forms and criminal record checks. Maxxima have a dedicated compliance team to help with this process. We will help with any aspect of the registration process including providing free training courses.

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The main benefits of working as a locum are:

Flexibility; take assignments around travel and holiday plans.
Variety; gain experience in a range of different UK cities and cover a range of different caseloads.
Money; locums typically earn 30-40% more than their permanent equivalents.
Security of work; although the typical locum contract is around 3 months initially, a large number are offered extensions. With the high number of
vacancies, there will always be opportunities.

There are typically 40+ different locum dietitian opportunities available through Maxxima across the UK.

The top four cities to work in are:

London, while this is the most competitive city to find work in but this bustling metropolis has something for everyone. Including many of the UKs most famous private and NHS hospitals.
Birmingham, Britain’s second city, renowned for its Asian food and multicultural atmosphere. Maxxima run sole supplier (Master Vendors) with the biggest NHS Trusts in and around the city so you will have access to a regular stream of vacancies.
Leeds, located in the heart of Yorkshire with easy access to the Yorkshire Dales and historic city of York and town of Harrogate. A large number of role in both acute and community settings are available in and around Leeds.
Manchester, home to two world class football teams. Opportunities are frequently available to work in one of the UK’s leading heart centres and other prestigious private and NHS hospitals.

We also cover work in rural locations and small towns, so whatever your interests or preferred location, we will have options for you.

What are the next steps?

Speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable consultants to discuss your travel plans. Whether you wish to be based in a specific site or experience different locations over the period of your stay, we will be able to help you.

If you would to know more about becoming a locum or permanent dietitian in the UK then please get in contact with our consultants.

Alternatively you find all our live vacancies here