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 promote the role of the dietitian in the care and treatment of children, adolescents, adults and older people with mental illness and learning disabilities.
- To promote communication between dietitians working in the field of mental illness and learning disabilities
- To provide specialist evidence-based advice and information
- To promote the development of evidence-based practice in the field of mental illness and learning disabilities
- To promote the role of the dietitian in mental illness and learning disabilities at a national level
- To address and contribute emerging national policy related to mental illness and learning disabilities
What the post has to offer
We recognise the importance of building a research-active culture within mental health dietetics, but we also know that it can often feel daunting to know where to begin. To support this, the committee is delighted to launch a new Development Research Officer role. This position is designed for a member who has a keen interest in research but may not yet feel fully confident or experienced enough to take on the full Research Officer role. The postholder will receive close support and mentorship from our current Research Officer, providing a valuable opportunity to grow skills and confidence in a supportive environment.
As a 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 group’s 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.
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 duties and responsibilities
- Support the Research Officer to develop the group’s research strategy.
- Support the Research Officer with the MHSG stream at the annual BDA Research Symposium.
- Encourage members to participate in research embedding this into their day-to-day practice.
- Work with the committee to identify members willing and suitably qualified to respond to document review or consultation requests.
- Collaborate with the events officer(s) to facilitate a quarterly member journal club.
- 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,
- 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 Research Officer, Education Officers, Chair and Vice 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 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 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 complete a nomination form by 31 October. 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 committee at [email protected].
Please note that nominations may close early if sufficient interest is received.