If you would like to be nominated for this role, please complete your details below and we will be in touch to discuss next steps.
Aims and Objectives of the Group
- To provide a network for dietitians working with GI patients at all points along the treatment pathway.
- To influence national policy and guidance.
- To provide an environment for dietitians and other health care professionals to learn about GI oncology through study days and newsletters.
- To provide advice to charities and other organisations with respect to nutrition in the GI patient at any point during the treatment pathway.
- Help facilitate research and audit amongst members of the group.
- Support the development of materials such as newsletters, standards, guidance or patient information.
What the role has to offer
As the sub group research officer, you will work closely with the committee to develop research and audit opportunities for group members. You’ll use your expertise to guide and shape the groups research strategy, working with the BDA’s education, practice and policy team to contribute to the BDA’s education work.
You’ll work with the committee to encourage members to participate in research and to embed it in their day-to-day practice. This includes encouraging participation in the BDA’s research symposium and developing best practice and templates for clinical audits and service evaluations.
Through this role you’ll develop an overview of the strategic developments affecting the sub group from both within the BDA and externally to the profession. Using your knowledge and skills to represent sub group members interests, advocate for the learning disabilities specialism and the dietetic profession as a whole.
We don’t expect you to do it alone, as the research officer you’ll work closely with the sub group committee and with the support of the BDA staff team to deliver your sub group aims and objectives.
Through this role you will gain organisation, communication 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 tasks and responsibilities
- Overall responsibility for the group’s research strategy.
- Encourage members to participate in research embedding this into their day-to-day practice.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to create and share templates for service clinical audits and service evaluations.
- Facilitate the peer review process for group resources and for members wishing to submit an abstract/paper/funding bid.
- Work with the committee to identify members willing and suitably qualified to review key publications where appropriate.
- Keep the committee up to date with relevant conferences, abstract submission deadlines or funding relating to the specialism.
- Represent the group at BDA research events including BDA LIVE and the annual research symposium.
- Co-ordinate the committee responses to NICE consultations.
- Co-ordinate the committee and members contributions to PEN.
- Collaborate with the website editor and social media officer to promote research opportunities through BDA communication channels.
- Work closely with the BDA’s volunteering team and education, practice and policy team, seeking advice and guidance where needed.
Training, support and resources
As the research officer you’ll work closely with the volunteering team and the education, practice and policy team who offer support, guidance and advice to the volunteer. Support for this role is offered by key committee members 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 and a full handover from the previous volunteer.
- 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 website editing tools and resources.
- Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
- Regular communications including a monthly volunteer newsletter 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 branch 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.
Recruitment method
To apply for this role please submit a nomination form by Friday 17 January 2025. 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 the Volunteer Team.