Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Trainee Clinical Practitioner - Critical Care & Hospital at Night

The closing date is 07 December 2025

Job summary

The Clinical Practitioner (CP) will work as an integral member of the multi-professional workforce, with a Trust wide scope of clinical cover (inclusive of ED, Maternity and Paediatrics), linking closely with the Critical Care Team.

They will:

  • Support a clinical caseload using specialist knowledge from theoretical and practical experience.
  • Work as a pivotal member of the Critical Care and H@N team and triage calls accordingly.
  • Undertake advanced clinical assessment, early diagnosis of complications and initiation of treatment plans.
  • Work within the MDT to ensure onward referrals/pathways are managed appropriately.
  • Provide support to junior members of the MDT with decision making and appropriate escalation, where relevant/ appropriate support decisions around Do Not Resuscitate and Treatment Escalation Plans.
  • Provide support and education for all members of the multi-disciplinary team both in an informal and formal manner, in relation to speciality field.
  • Be responsible for responding to and escalating the Call for Concern service, relating to Martha's Rule.
  • Maintain professional development needs for a Clinical Practitioner.

Main duties of the job

  • Identify and review current information available to determine and plan patient management process.
  • Undertake assessment in line with evidence-based practice and policies e.g. taking case history, examinations, requesting diagnostic investigations.
  • Review and interpret all information available utilising a systematic process of reasoning to make a differential diagnosis.
  • Develop and record a treatment plan consistent with the outcome of the assessment and most probable diagnosis.
  • According to current legislation undertake independent prescribing.
  • Discuss sensitive information with patients and families and manage their behaviour accordingly.
  • Refer to other practitioners as and when necessary.

About us

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.

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.

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.

Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

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.

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £54,710 a year Per Annum (Dependant on experience)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

405-25-NM537HAN

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


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 Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk 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.

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 Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk 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

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

  • Registered Nurse with NMC registration.
  • Can demonstrate significant experience in delivering care for critically unwell patients.
  • Post registration qualification in an area of specialty master's level or equivalent e.g. ICU course, enhanced/advanced Health assessment

Desirable

  • Evidence of a teaching qualification or experience.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Evidence of clinical and teaching experience and can provide extensive clinical advice and support to nursing and medical staff.
  • Extensive post registration experience, including experience of working in a critical care environment and/ or with critically unwell patients.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills and knowledge.
  • Experience of conducting research and audit, and of appraising evidence.
  • Experience in developing protocols, pathways, policies and service development.
  • Evidence of commitment to on-going professional development.
  • Ability to communicate effectively under demanding/ complex circumstances, for example, with patients and families, colleagues.

Desirable

  • Significant experience of productive multi and inter-disciplinary working.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

  • Physical assessment and history taking skills/ability to interpret clinical findings and develop an appropriate management plan, independently.
  • Ability to triage, prioritise and manage a clinical caseload, often under pressure.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, using a range of methods e.g. verbal, written and record keeping.
  • Use of conflict resolution and debrief skills.
  • Clear understanding and knowledge of professional accountability and scope of practice.

Desirable

  • Skills in cannulation, venipuncture, blood culture and blood gas sampling.
Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

  • Registered Nurse with NMC registration.
  • Can demonstrate significant experience in delivering care for critically unwell patients.
  • Post registration qualification in an area of specialty master's level or equivalent e.g. ICU course, enhanced/advanced Health assessment

Desirable

  • Evidence of a teaching qualification or experience.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Evidence of clinical and teaching experience and can provide extensive clinical advice and support to nursing and medical staff.
  • Extensive post registration experience, including experience of working in a critical care environment and/ or with critically unwell patients.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills and knowledge.
  • Experience of conducting research and audit, and of appraising evidence.
  • Experience in developing protocols, pathways, policies and service development.
  • Evidence of commitment to on-going professional development.
  • Ability to communicate effectively under demanding/ complex circumstances, for example, with patients and families, colleagues.

Desirable

  • Significant experience of productive multi and inter-disciplinary working.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

  • Physical assessment and history taking skills/ability to interpret clinical findings and develop an appropriate management plan, independently.
  • Ability to triage, prioritise and manage a clinical caseload, often under pressure.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, using a range of methods e.g. verbal, written and record keeping.
  • Use of conflict resolution and debrief skills.
  • Clear understanding and knowledge of professional accountability and scope of practice.

Desirable

  • Skills in cannulation, venipuncture, blood culture and blood gas sampling.

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).

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.

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


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

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Matron for Critical Care

Emma Sidey

emma.sidey@dchft.nhs.uk

01305254058

Details

Date posted

20 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £54,710 a year Per Annum (Dependant on experience)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

405-25-NM537HAN

Job locations

Dorset County Hospital

Williams Avenue

Dorchester

DT1 2JY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)