Working in the UK as a Dietician

The United Kingdom needs healthcare professionals across a broad range of specialities. Dietetics is one of these areas where NHS jobs are available in the UK, in both the temporary and permanent arena. There is a high demand for Jobs for qualified dietitians (sometimes called dieticians) from London to Glasgow, Newport to Newcastle. If you plan to come to the UK from New Zealand, Australia, Canada or anywhere else across the world, Globe Locums has many dietitian jobs available. Globe Locums has many locum jobs, temporary and permanent healthcare jobs across the UK; we are the ideal place to discover your perfect dietitian position. Register now and find your dream UK job as a dietitian.

The Registration process for working in the UK

Many people wish to work in the UK from places as far afield as Australasia, Asia and of course Europe, but they will all need to follow the new immigration procedures installed following the UK leaving the EU. Work permits are required whether you want to stay in the UK permanently or on a temporary working holiday, and it pays to get this sorted as early as you can. Alongside the process of gaining legal entry into the UK, you must also satisfy all the stipulated standards and qualifications required to operate in the UK as a dietitian. Visa selection is critical, so it is important to identify which visa you need for your application to work in the UK, as some require a job offer before living and working in the UK. The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is an exception, as explained below.

What you need to be a dietitian working in the UK

Qualifications

You will need a university-based programme approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and potentially an accreditation by The British Dietetic Association (BDA) . The approved courses are a full-time BSc and/or a full-time postgraduate programme (PgDip) in dietetics or a Masters (MSc) in dietetics. If you are planning and want to consider qualifying as a dietitian and working in the UK, you would usually need qualifications in biology and chemistry at an advanced level. Some institutions will accept other equivalent qualifications e.g., Access to Science, BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, and a range of foundation courses in Science. Postgraduate programmes require the completion of an undergraduate degree with some elements of human physiology and biochemistry in the syllabus.

HCPC Registration

Alongside the correct qualifications, registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is a must before taking a dietetic role. The HCPC assesses specific cases to establish whether you meet the required standards. These checks include an assessment of your proficiency in the English language, and a high level of competence is required to complete registration.

Visa types

There is a range of UK visas available which are suitable for all healthcare professionals, including dietitians and the choice is dependent on your objectives and circumstances. If you wish to work and live in this country permanently, the visa would be different from that required for a temporary position or jobs taken on for a working holiday. A range of the widely used visa options are summarised below:

Working in the UK on a permanent visa

You can travel and live in the UK with the health and care worker visa. To get this visas, you will pay an application fee and need a job offer before a visa is processed. Dietitians intending to move to the UK can use a holiday visa, allowing them time to process applications and go to interviews in preparation for their permanent visa. If a permanent visa is granted, this permits dependents and spouses to live in the UK also. Spouses, partners, and family members can apply via the family visa.

Temporary visas

Temporary visas (T5 visas) are an option if you wish to move to the UK. Several of these are available, although only some are healthcare-specific and suitable for a dietitian. To gain temporary UK work, you will need to be part of a fellowship or train on a government-approved exchange program, or you could apply for the Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa

The usual route for younger professionals who wish to work temporarily in the UK is via a two-year visa.The Youth Mobility Scheme visa is a way to work and live for up to two years in the UK, superseding the working holiday visa. Be aware that due to recent EU changes, fewer countries are covered by the YMS visa than previously. You do not need to have a job offer to be eligible for a YMS visa, although you need to be between 18 and 30. There is also a requirement to have £2,530 in savings, and you cannot bring any family along, including children or a spouse, on this visa.

Living as a dietitian in the UK

Your life as a dietitian in the UK will be dependent on the position you take and your chosen area, alongside your circumstances and expectations. If you complete your comprehensive research and get to know the country, you can be sure that the UK is a wonderful place to live and work. Below is what can be expected when living in the UK as a dietitian:

Accommodation

You may wish to make long-term arrangements for your accommodation, like buying a flat or house, If you plan to stay in the UK permanently. A short-term rental is an option if you plan to work in a temporary position in the UK. Some permanent positions or contracted roles offer accommodation as part of the employment contract, although this is more common in short-term, temporary positions. There are great options available for those working as a locum in the UK. Many of these positions provide accommodation on-site or nearby, while larger hospitals and clinics sometimes advise on temporary accommodation near your workplace. Speak directly with Globe Locums for details on roles that offer this. If you plan to travel across the UK while working in the country, this may be the best accommodation option without being tied into a long term agreement.

Bank accounts

You will usually be required to have a UK based or compatible bank account when you work in the UK. Choosing the right bank is down to you, though the easy operation of online banking may be the best option. If you are planning to stay on a holiday visa, you could choose an international bank account. Our Working Holiday Checklist provides additional advice on bank accounts and a host of other helpful information.

Remuneration

The salary of a dietitian in the UK is between £23,000 - £37,000 (all income figures quoted are intended as a guide only, but current as of February 2022) (source: https://www.payscale.com/research/UK/Job=Dietitian/Salary) NHS, positions are across nine salary bands and are usually represented by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates. The starting rate for NHS qualified dietitians is £24,907 (band 5). Specialist dietitians earn up to £37,890 (band 6), and highly specialist dietitians, including team leaders, earn up to £44,503 (band 7). In addition to the standard rates, there are on-call and special-duty allowances, and for NHS dietitians working in London and the South East, a cost of living allowance is available. Salaries outside of the NHS vary depending on the employer's size, the nature of the work, and the dietitian's expertise. You can also work at a locum rate or as an hourly temporary worker; pay will vary depending on the employer you select and the urgency of your placement. Locum dietetics jobs can pay up to £34 per hour, depending on experience and location of the assignment. For more information about locum remuneration, please contact our specialist team. Do you dream of moving to the UK from Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Europe or anywhere else in the world? If you do, Globe Locums is the ideal way to find the healthcare jobs you desire. We will always be available to help you find your perfect role. We provide support from temporary placements to long-term career transitions, helping you achieve your goal of finding suitable work in the UK. Register now and discover scores of vacancies in your chosen field.