The role of an NHS Dietitian is one of the most rewarding and essential careers within healthcare today. Dietitians play a critical role in improving patient outcomes by providing expert nutritional advice, devising treatment plans, and supporting patients across various specialisms – from diabetes and renal care to oncology, paediatrics, and community health. Whether you are helping individuals manage long-term health conditions, supporting surgical recovery, or advising on preventative care, the importance of dietetics cannot be overstated. According to NHS Agenda for Change pay scales, a Band 5 NHS Dietitian typically earns between £28,000 and £35,000 per year, while experienced senior dietitians in Band 7 and above can earn upwards of £45,000 to £55,000. With such strong career progression opportunities, it’s essential that your CV showcases your expertise, passion, and ability to stand out from other candidates. That’s exactly why having a professionally crafted NHS Dietitian CV templateis key to securing interviews.
Why your NHS Dietitian CV matters
In today’s competitive healthcare recruitment market, your CV is more than just a document – it’s your personal marketing tool. Recruiters and hiring managers at the NHS often receive hundreds of applications for each advertised role. Your CV needs to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), capture the attention of hiring managers, and clearly demonstrate that you are the perfect candidate. An interview-winning cv example is one that not only showcases your qualifications and clinical expertise but also highlights your achievements, patient impact, and transferable skills.
Crafting the perfect NHS Dietitian CV template
As a career coach with over 25 years of supporting professionals across healthcare and other sectors, I’ve seen what makes a CV work – and what doesn’t. Let’s explore the structure, content, and style you need to adopt for your NHS Dietitian CV template to shine.
Personal profile
Your personal profile (or CV summary) is the very first section the recruiter will read. This should be a short but impactful statement of 4–6 lines summarising who you are, your specialisms, your clinical experience, and what you bring to the NHS. For example:
“HCPC-registered Dietitian with proven experience in clinical nutrition, weight management, and paediatric dietetics. Skilled in delivering evidence-based interventions to improve patient outcomes, with strong communication skills and a collaborative approach to multidisciplinary working.”
Key skills section
Create a bullet-pointed list of your most relevant skills for an NHS Dietitian role. Examples include:
Clinical nutrition assessment
Patient-centred care planning
Evidence-based dietary advice
Diabetes and weight management
Paediatric and community dietetics
Renal and oncology nutrition support
Public health promotion and education
Multidisciplinary team collaboration
This ensures your CV is keyword-optimised and makes it easy for NHS recruiters to instantly see your suitability.
Employment history
When listing your employment history, use reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. Each entry should include your job title, employer, dates of employment, and 4–6 bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. Instead of just writing “provided dietary advice to patients,” make your statements achievement-focused:
Designed and implemented tailored nutrition plans resulting in a 20% improvement in patient adherence to diabetic dietary guidance.
Delivered group education sessions for up to 50 patients and families, improving knowledge and self-management outcomes.
Collaborated with consultants, nurses, and speech therapists to deliver comprehensive patient-centred care.
Education and professional qualifications
Dietitians must be HCPC registered, with a degree in Dietetics or a related science followed by postgraduate training. Be sure to include:
BSc (Hons) in Dietetics or equivalent degree
Postgraduate qualifications if applicable
HCPC registration number
Membership of the British Dietetic Association (BDA)
CV layout and presentation
Your cv template should be clean, professional, and easy to read. Avoid overly complex designs or colourful fonts, as NHS recruiters value clarity over creativity. Stick to a two-page structure, use professional fonts like Calibri or Arial, and maintain clear section headings. Consistency in formatting (bullet points, spacing, margins) makes a significant difference in readability.
Advice for graduates entering NHS Dietetics
If you’re a newly qualified dietitian, you may feel that your CV lacks depth. The truth is, graduate CVs can be just as strong when they emphasise clinical placements, academic research, and transferable skills. Highlight any relevant modules, dissertation topics, and supervised practice placements. For example:
Completed 1,200 hours of clinical placements across acute, community, and paediatric settings.
Conducted a research project on the impact of nutrition in oncology patient recovery, presented at university conference.
Also focus on soft skills such as empathy, teamwork, and patient communication – qualities NHS recruiters look for in graduates.
Advice for middle-level dietitians
If you’re applying for Band 6 or Band 7 positions, your CV should highlight progression and leadership. Recruiters will want to see evidence of supervising junior staff, leading service improvement projects, or taking part in research. For example:
Mentored and supervised Band 5 dietitians and student dietitians on clinical placements.
Developed patient education resources adopted trust-wide.
Coordinated dietetic services within a multidisciplinary oncology team, improving patient satisfaction scores.
Advice for senior management dietitians
For Band 7 and above, your cv example needs to emphasise leadership, service development, and strategic impact. Achievements should demonstrate measurable outcomes:
Managed a team of 12 dietitians and assistants across multiple clinical specialisms.
Implemented a hospital-wide nutrition screening tool, reducing patient malnutrition incidence by 15%.
Delivered training to 100+ healthcare professionals, raising awareness of best practice in nutrition care planning.
Do’s and don’ts when writing your NHS Dietitian CV
Do:
Tailor your CV to each role you apply for, matching the job description.
Use strong action verbs such as “implemented,” “led,” “designed,” “coordinated.”
Keep your CV concise (2 pages maximum).
Highlight achievements with measurable outcomes.
Include keywords relevant to NHS dietetics to ensure ATS compatibility.
Don’t:
Use generic, vague statements like “good team player.”
Include unnecessary personal details such as age, marital status, or a photo.
Overload your CV with technical jargon that may not be accessible to HR staff.
Leave unexplained employment gaps.
Forget to proofread – typos create a negative impression.
General CV tips for success
Always customise your NHS Dietitian CV template to align with the job description.
Ensure your CV is ATS-friendly by using keywords and avoiding graphics or tables that can’t be scanned.
Pair your CV with a tailored cover letter that reinforces your passion for the role.
Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your CV, as NHS recruiters frequently check online presence.
Seek professional feedback – even small tweaks can dramatically improve your chances of landing interviews.
Final words of encouragement
Remember, your CV is your opportunity to show the NHS why you are the right fit for the role. Every section of your cv example should build confidence in your abilities, demonstrate your impact, and present you as a forward-thinking professional. The NHS values not only your clinical expertise but also your ability to work compassionately within a team, communicate effectively with patients, and adapt to ever-changing healthcare demands.
A personal invitation from me, Jerry Frempong
With over 25 years of career coaching experience, I’ve seen countless professionals transform their job prospects with a well-structured CV and optimised LinkedIn profile. If you want your NHS Dietitian CV template to be truly interview-winning, I invite you to book a one-to-one consultation. Together, we’ll refine your CV, position your unique value, and ensure recruiters can’t overlook your application. Don’t let opportunities pass you by – take the next step in your career today.
👉 Book an appointment with CV London today
and let’s create a CV and LinkedIn profile that opens doors to your future.
