About this role
Job summary
We're growing -- and we'd love you to grow with us.
Our Stroke Service is expanding to support patients across Dorset and Somerset, including the launch of our brand-new Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit (HASU).
We are recruiting Band 5 Registered Nurses who want to make a real difference at one of the most critical moments in a person's life.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking team delivering high-quality, time-critical stroke care across the full pathway -- hyper-acute, acute, and early rehabilitation.
As a Band 5 Nurse, you will play a key role in delivering safe, compassionate, evidence-based care to patients with complex neurological needs. You will work closely with our Stroke Consultants, Specialist Nurses, Therapists, and wider MDT to support patients through some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.
Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.
Main duties of the job
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
What we're looking for
We welcome applications from nurses who are:
Passionate about stroke care Confident in fast-paced clinical environments Keen to develop skills in NIHSS, thrombolysis/thrombectomy pathways, dysphagia management, and neurological assessment Motivated to work in a service that is growing, innovating, and improving outcomes for patients across two counties What you'll be doing
Delivering high-quality nursing care to patients with acute and hyper-acute stroke presentations Completing neurological observations, NIHSS scoring, and escalation Supporting post-thrombolysis monitoring and early mobilisation Working closely with the MDT to deliver personalised rehabilitation plans Communicating sensitively with patients and families during complex and emotional situations Contributing to service development as we launch our HASU What we offer
Full stroke-specific induction NIHSS training and competency sign-off Opportunities to rotate into the Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit Access to stroke specialist education and CPD Supportive leadership and a strong MDT culture Clear development pathways into Band 6 Stroke Specialist role
About us
We understand that AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate's individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.
All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.
UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria.
Job description Job responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Please contact us at [email protected] if you are unable to view or download the attachment.
For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities Essential
Able to deliver safe, evidence based care Effective communication & teamwork Time management & prioritisation Ability to maintain accurate records
Desirable
Leadership potential Critical appraisal skills Teaching/mentoring experience
Education, Qualification and Training Essential
Registered Nurse with current NMC registration (Part 1 Adult/ General Level 1 or 2) Evidence of CPD
Desirable
Practice Supervisor/Assessor Evidence of Stroke related CPD
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Experience in an acute hospital setting (UK) An understanding of professional nursing issues Understanding of confidentiality & safeguarding Describe a time you cared for a patient with an acute neurological change. What actions did you take and what was the outcome? Tell us about a situation where you supported a patient or family during a difficult or unexpected deterioration
Desirable
Evidence of ability to develop leadership skills Stroke, neuro, ED, AMU experience Knowledge of stroke pathways Knowledge of clinical audit
Values Essential
Compassion, respect, patient centred approach
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Dorset County Hospital
Williams Avenue
Dorchester
DT1 2JY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)