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  7. Practice Officer; Advanced Practice Specialist Group

Practice Officer; Advanced Practice Specialist Group

Aims and Objectives of the Group

  • Develop and promote a professional specialism within dietetics.
  • Represent a defined group of members.
  • Develop careers campaigns to stimulate recruitment
  • Develop first contact, and Advanced Practice dietitians
  • Lobby for independent prescribing rights
  • Innovative ways of supporting and retaining the dietetic workforce
  • Promote & protect the reputation and value of the profession – build the evidence & value proposition for AP roles in Dietetics across the four nations.
  • Support members to develop as leaders and strategic influencers
  • Create value propositions for new partnerships that advance the science & practice of dietetics

What the post has to offer

As the Practice Officer, you will be responsible for supporting the committee and members in developing practice. You will have the help of your committee to develop, create and advocate resources, tools and education for group members. Working across the committee to utilize BDA communication channels to share your committee’s work, events, resources and projects.

You’ll work with the committee to develop an overview of the strategic developments affecting the specialist group from both within the BDA and externally to the profession. Using your knowledge and skills to represent specialist group members interests, advocate for the specialism and the dietetic profession as a whole.

We don’t expect you to do it alone, you’ll be supported by the committee and the Volunteer Manager who provide support and guidance.

Through this position you will gain communication, leadership and project management skills, which can translate directly into career development. It will also give you an opportunity to work with colleagues across your speciality, building networks, sharing knowledge and skills.

Main duties and responsibilities

  • Overall responsibility for developing the groups professional practice workstream.
  • Co-ordinate the committee and group members to create professional practice resources for members.
  • Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to influence and develop policy and professional practice. 
  • Work closely with the BDA’s Volunteer Manager and Education, Practice and Policy Team, seeking advice and guidance where needed.
  • Collaborate with the Education Officer and Research Officer to support the development of the specialism.
  • Support the Education Officer to co-ordinate the committee’s responses to NICE, contributions to PEN and the research symposium.
  • Where relevant support the committee in delivery of Group projects.

Training, Support and Resources

As the Practice Officer you’ll work closely with the Volunteer Manager and the Education Team who offer support, guidance and advice to the postholder. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the Education Officer and Research Officer who work as a team to promote the work of the group.  

We have a variety of resources, tools and training available to support this role including:

  • Induction with BDA staff.
  • Training and development opportunities to help build personal and professional skills including workshops, webinars and the BDA’s annual volunteer conference.
  • Access to our volunteer hub with a wide range of tools, guidance and support.
  • Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
  • Regular communications including a monthly volunteer ezine with BDA updates and opportunities.
  • Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums.

Length of service and commitment

You will be elected for a two-year term of office and hope that you will be able to stay in the role throughout this term. There is the option to extend for an additional two-year term. We hope that reasonable notice would be given if you are no longer able to fulfil this role, as we appreciate that circumstances can change.

There are a number of training and development opportunities available, including a detailed induction with BDA staff and governance training to be undertaken upon commencement of each term.

Committee meetings are held regularly and can be attended virtually if required. There is a varying and flexible amount of work in between meetings which is dependent on the strategy, workplans and projects agreed to by the committee. 

The group holds a minimum of one event for members a year which includes the Annual General Meeting. It is typical for the committee to attend these events.

Appointment method

To apply for this role please submit a nomination form. Nominees must be a member of the group and provide the names and signatories of two BDA members to support their nomination.

If you would like an informal, confidential discussion about the role and the nomination process, please contact Tom at [email protected].


Members who support my application

First member

Second member


Declaring conflicts of interest

Council has decided that it is good practice for all members who represent the BDA on outside bodies, who are completing specific pieces of work for the BDA, are executive committee members of specialist groups or members of standing committees to register any interests which may be perceived as potentially generating a conflict of interests with BDA business.

The definition of what needs to be recorded is: the interests of a member which might reasonably be thought by others to influence their actions in their capacity as a BDA member acting on behalf of the BDA. This is consistent with our Members’ Charter and the way other councils work (including the Health Professions Council).

This form will be held confidentially by the BDA Chief Executive and the Honorary Secretary. It will be completed by anyone representing the BDA externally or taking on a distinct piece of work, where the BDA thinks it appropriate that the member complete it. It may be used if a conflict of interests arises and  Council or the Investigatory Committee decides that it needs to access it.

Please complete the following details as fully as possible and declare any possible conflict of interest you may have. Click on either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to answer each question.

I confirm that the information given on this form is correct and understand that failure to disclose relevant information may result in my role representing the BDA being terminated.

I agree that the information I have provided may be disclosed to the Council or the Investigatory Committee if requested.

I acknowledge that, under the terms of my membership of the BDA, I must comply with the rules and policies of the BDA, professional Codes of Conduct and the Members’ Charter. In particular, I will ensure that:

  • I act in the best interests of the BDA
  • I uphold confidentiality and ensure that any information obtained during a visit is used solely for the purposes of the BDA and is not divulged to any person or third party.
  • I conduct myself appropriately and treat all present with equal respect.