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 Specialist Group
- Develop and promote a professional specialism within dietetics
- Represent a defined group of members
- To keep Dietitians up-to-date on Paediatric Dietetics as appropriate
- To provide support when requested and able to members and outside bodies on paediatric nutrition
- To raise the profile of Paediatric Dietitians
- To be pro-active in engaging with outside bodies involved in childhood nutrition
- To continue running the Group’s Paediatric Masters Course Modules as both Masters modules with Plymouth University
- To audit our caseloads to provide information on caseload level management.
- To increase links with Department of Health, Food Standards Agency, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal college of midwives, Royal College of Nursing, Community practitioners and Health Visitors association, UNICEF and other relevant bodies
- To help fund activities within the Paediatric Group e.g. development of resources, running courses, support for research and audit
- To organise one study day per year
- To help keep members up to date via newsletter, website (discussion forum), Twitter and any other relevant social media platforms
- To continue updating and printing Paediatric Group leaflets with relevant groups and organisations
- To devise guidelines and position statements as relevant and keep a record with review dates
- To produce responses to relevant topical issues and consultations in a timely and constructive way
- To finance any work of the Group to develop paediatric dietetics
- To promote our diet sheets within the U.K. by attending conferences and advertising
- To encourage engagement of group membership to share in promotion of our profession and group
- To foster similar working relationships with all companies supplying paediatric nutritional products whilst working in partnership where appropriate to inform members and develop new products.
What the role has to offer
As the specialist 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 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, as the Research Officer you’ll work closely with the specialist group committee and with the support of the BDA staff team to deliver your specialist group aims and objectives.
Through this position 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.
- Collaborate with the committee and members to develop responses to NICE consultations.
- Collaborate with the committee and members to contribute 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 Volunteer Manager 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 Volunteer Manager and the Education, Practice and Policy Team who offer support, guidance and advice to the postholder. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the Education Officers, Resources Officers and Chair 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 postholder.
- 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 ezine with BDA updates and opportunities.
- Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums.
Length of service and commitment
Committee meetings are held up to four times a year (mandatory attendance to at least two of four meetings), plus a varying ad-hoc meetings and flexible amount of work in between times. The group aims to hold one study day (in-person or virtual) event which includes the Annual General Meeting and three webinars for members each year. The Research Officer is elected to the role for a two year term of office and should serve no more than two consecutive terms of office. However you can give reasonable notice to end your volunteering if you are no longer able to fulfil your role.
Recruitment 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 Bahee, the Chair of the group, at [email protected].