Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy Ward Leader - Critical Care Unit

The closing date is 11 February 2026

Job summary

This is a new opportunity for a Registered nurse with recent and relevant experience working in the speciality of Critical Care. The applicant must hold a qualification in Critical Care studied at level 6 (minimum). The successful candidate will gain managerial experience as a shift co-ordinator and develop leadership skills in supporting a team, influencing change and introduce improvements.

Main duties of the job

  • The post holder will demonstrate the ability to work within a team and support senior nurses in providing specialised evidence based holistic nursing care for critically ill patients and their families
  • To deputise in absence of Senior Sister on the Critical Care unit.
  • To provide high standards of evidenced based care for patients and their families.
  • To provide skilled nursing care and supervision of the nursing team in delivering an effective service.
  • To continue personal professional development and be responsible for developing others.
  • To demonstrate sound leadership and managerial skills.
  • To regular manage the daily activities of the unit on a day to day basis.

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.

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

29 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

405-26-NM041CRCU

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 at degree level or working towards/or relevant experience
  • Current NMC Registration & PIN
  • Post registration qualification in Critical Care
  • Evidence of CPD
  • Teaching Qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 4 years experience in Critical Care and evidence of continuing professional development
  • Understanding of professional nursing issue

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
  • Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements
  • Evidence of and ability/ flexibility to lead team in absence of Senior Sister, and a willingness to develop relevant team management skills
  • Knowledge of Clinical Audit
  • Evidence of an area of specialist interest

Desirable

  • Evidence of critical appraisal Skills
Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

  • Registered nurse at degree level or working towards/or relevant experience
  • Current NMC Registration & PIN
  • Post registration qualification in Critical Care
  • Evidence of CPD
  • Teaching Qualification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Minimum of 4 years experience in Critical Care and evidence of continuing professional development
  • Understanding of professional nursing issue

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
  • Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements
  • Evidence of and ability/ flexibility to lead team in absence of Senior Sister, and a willingness to develop relevant team management skills
  • Knowledge of Clinical Audit
  • Evidence of an area of specialist interest

Desirable

  • Evidence of critical appraisal Skills

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:

Ward Sister - Critical Care Unit

Lisa Cosh

lisa.cosh@dchft.nhs.uk

01305255648

Details

Date posted

29 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

405-26-NM041CRCU

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)