Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy Sister/Charge Nurse - Kingfisher Ward

The closing date is 17 August 2025

Job summary

Kingfisher ward is a general paediatric ward which takes babies, children and young people from 0 -17 years with a variety of medical, surgical and psychological problems. There is a Paediatric assessment area managing admissions and promoting early discharge. There are 3 higher observation beds to support children requiring higher level care within the main ward.General paediatrics provides 24 hour care to all patients.The ward team consists of various staffing levels according to dependency.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work alongside the Senior Sister to ensure the nursing care in the clinical environment is evidenced based and of a high standard and demonstrate this through clinical standards (including infection control), audit, service user feedback, risk management, complaints and staff development.

The post holder will manage the ward and be required to ensure the service is run effectively and efficiently. This includes patient flow, equipment and consumables use.

The post holder is responsible for positive leadership ensuring staff are supported, team work nurtured and staff developed including appraisals, competency and training with clear records and workforce planning. This includes being involved with the development of all staff, including performance management related issues.

The post holder should work alongside the Senior Sister and integrate themselves into the senior nursing team across family services making positive links and collaboration with other areas across the Trust including SCBU, Community, Emergency Department, Day Surgery and Support Services.

About us

Family Services Division work as a team and there is an expectation of professional / leadership support across the division at all times. This includes providing support and cover during periods of leave. We operate a visible leadership approach with senior staff being accessible and available to the clinical teams.

Family Services has a management team including a Divisional Director and Divisional Manager. Senior posts include Senior Sister, Paediatric Matron, Head of Children's Therapy and Head of Midwifery. There are clinical leads in every department including SCBU, Community, Day Surgery and Child Protection.

Date posted

31 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Pro Rata Per Annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

405-25-NM342KING

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

William Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details on the role and responsibilities.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details on the role and responsibilities.

Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

Registered Childrens Nurse
Evidence of teaching in the clinical environment

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

A minimum of 2 years post registration experience
Understanding of professional nursing issues
Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

Experience at a Band 6 level desirable

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

Evidence of ability to practice as a proficient practitioner
Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors
Evidence of an ability to manage time effectively
Evidence of ability to develop and implement nursing protocols based of evidenced based practice

Desirable

Understanding of clinical governance and ability to assist in establishing systems and monitoring effectiveness of care
Evidence of an area of special interest
Evidence of ability to develop leadership skills
Knowledge of clinical audit / quality improvement
Evidence of critical appraisal skills
Demonstrates awareness and responsibilities with regard to child protection issues

Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

Registered Childrens Nurse
Evidence of teaching in the clinical environment

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

A minimum of 2 years post registration experience
Understanding of professional nursing issues
Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

Experience at a Band 6 level desirable

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

Evidence of ability to practice as a proficient practitioner
Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors
Evidence of an ability to manage time effectively
Evidence of ability to develop and implement nursing protocols based of evidenced based practice

Desirable

Understanding of clinical governance and ability to assist in establishing systems and monitoring effectiveness of care
Evidence of an area of special interest
Evidence of ability to develop leadership skills
Knowledge of clinical audit / quality improvement
Evidence of critical appraisal skills
Demonstrates awareness and responsibilities with regard to child protection issues

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

William Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset County Hospital

William Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)