What qualifications do I need to become an NHS dietitian?

You need a degree in dietetics approved by the HCPC and registration with HCPC. Most NHS dietitian roles start at Band 5 for newly qualified practitioners.

What areas can NHS dietitians specialise in?

NHS dietitians can specialise in areas including oncology, paediatrics, gastroenterology, diabetes, renal, eating disorders, critical care, and community nutrition. Advanced roles develop expertise in specific patient populations.

How much do NHS dietitians earn?

Under the 2026/27 pay scale, NHS dietitians start at Band 5 (approximately £32,000-£39,000), with specialist roles at Band 6 (£40,000-£48,000), senior specialists at Band 7 (£49,000-£57,000), and consultant dietitians at Band 8 (£58,000+).

Which NHS trusts hire dietitians in London?

Major NHS employers for dietitians in London include Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and more.

Dietitian Jobs in London

NHS dietitians assess nutritional needs and plan dietary interventions for patients with conditions ranging from diabetes and renal disease to eating disorders and critical illness. Most posts sit in acute hospital teams or community services, with specialist roles in areas like oncology, paediatrics, and gastroenterology. Dietitians enter at Band 5 and can progress to highly specialist and consultant roles.

17 live vacancies in London · 11 NHS employers · updated hourly

View all NHS jobs in London

Open Positions

£40k - £73k

Salary Range

NHS Trusts

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Working in Dietitian roles in London

London has more NHS employers than any other UK city. Roles span major teaching hospitals, standalone specialist centres like Great Ormond Street, community trusts, and mental health providers. High-cost area supplements of up to 20% apply to most posts. For dietitian candidates, this means roles can appear across acute hospitals, community services, specialist teams, mental health providers, and integrated care settings depending on the local NHS workforce mix.

Job Clerk is currently tracking 17 live dietitian vacancies in London from 11 NHS employers. New posts can include permanent, fixed-term, bank, part-time, and rotational opportunities, so it is worth checking both the broad Dietitian results and the band-specific pages below.

Recent salary data for these dietitian roles ranges from about £39,959 to £73,496 per year, depending on band, specialist experience, and whether high-cost area supplements apply.

Common work areas

Managing enteral feeding (NG, NJ, PEG) and parenteral nutrition referrals
Specialist dietary management for complex conditions (renal, hepatology, critical care)
Malnutrition screening, MUST scoring, and nutrition support ward rounds
Supervising dietetic assistants and students on placement

Typical requirements

HCPC registration as a dietitian
Subspecialty experience relevant to the post (oncology, paediatrics, renal, etc.)
Supplementary or independent prescribing (for advanced roles)
BDA membership (recommended but not essential)

Local employers

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

Bands hiring in London

Current dietitian pages for London include Band 6 and Band 7. Use these band pages when you want salary expectations, seniority, and job descriptions narrowed to a specific level.

Local practical context

Most major NHS sites are reachable by Tube, Overground, or bus. Commuting from outer London or the home counties is common, and journey time should factor into shift-based role decisions.

London is the most expensive UK city for housing. Inner London posts receive a 20% HCAS (capped at roughly £5,800-£8,700 depending on band), outer London 15% (roughly £4,500-£5,800), and fringe areas 5%. The zone is determined by workplace postcode, not home address, so two hospitals a few miles apart can fall in different zones. After tax and NI, the net benefit is roughly 65-72% of the headline figure.