Job summary
The successful post holder will be working with adults who are admitted to University Hospitals Dorset on the Poole site. They will support patients on Portland ward The patient group will be those who are presenting with mental health or cognitive difficulties in the context of declining physical health and/or neurological or neurodegenerative and Acquired Brain Injuries
Base Location: Poole
Interview Date: 20th January 2026
Please note we cannot offer sponsorship for this role.
Main duties of the job
The nature of the work will be varied and dynamic, with the main principle of providing outstanding enhanced care to patients needing additional nursing and emotional support, often within a high stress environment.
The general duties will be to spend significant periods of time with patients providing physical, emotional and psychological care, typically on a 1 to 1 basis. This patient group may present with some behaviour which can be challenging however additional training will be given to enable the post holder to both confidently and competently manage this patient group.
Please note: if this job requires you to have a DBS check to enable you to properly fulfil the requirements of the job, on appointment you will be required to repay the cost of obtaining a DBS check and this amount will be reclaimed from your salary.
About us
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.
UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.
There is a planned move for this service during Late2025, when this role and base of work will relocate to Bournemouthsite. Upon relocation of the role/service, excess mileage allowance / reimbursement will not apply, and any travel between the post holder's home and work base will be classified as a commute. Any other changes unrelated to this, will be handled in line with Trust/National terms and conditions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To understand the role in more detail please read the full job description and person specification documents which are attached to this advert.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a team under appropriate supervision
- Experience working with patients requiring one to one supervision and care
Desirable
- Experience of working with the public
- Experience working in the NHS
- Previous experience of working within mental health care environment
Technical Skills Competencies
Essential
- Skills in de-escalation of patients with behaviour that challenges
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (to understand and be understood)
- Ability to follow clear instruction and feed back to senior staff.
Desirable
- Understanding of basic physiology, e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance nutritional requirements etc.
Knowledge
Essential
- Working knowledge of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a team under appropriate supervision
- Experience working with patients requiring one to one supervision and care
Desirable
- Experience of working with the public
- Experience working in the NHS
- Previous experience of working within mental health care environment
Technical Skills Competencies
Essential
- Skills in de-escalation of patients with behaviour that challenges
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (to understand and be understood)
- Ability to follow clear instruction and feed back to senior staff.
Desirable
- Understanding of basic physiology, e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance nutritional requirements etc.
Knowledge
Essential
- Working knowledge of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
