Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Deputy Sister/Stroke Outreach - Stroke Unit/HASU

The closing date is 11 March 2026

Job summary

Are you a dynamic and focused staff nurse ready to take the next step in your career progression with a particular interest in acute stroke and wish to develop senior clinical/ managerial skills ? If so, we would love for you to come and join our developing multidisciplinary team.

Our stroke services are growing- we are expanding to a 30 bedded unit which will include two HASU units.

We are looking for experienced Nurses to join us on this amazing journey of expansion and growth, bringing new opportunities to the stroke unit.

The stroke unit boasts the most friendly and welcoming team atmosphere with fantastic opportunities to progress your career.

The current 23 bedded Acute Stroke Unit cares for patients requiring close monitoring and observation, encompassing acute care skills, following thrombolysis and repatriation following specialist intervention such as thrombectomy as well as patients requiring rehabilitation needs.

You would be joining us at such an exciting time in an area that will give you the chance to quickly expand your knowledge in a fast paced but supportive environment. There are so many reasons to join us.

Main duties of the job

The role will involve:

To work within the Stroke Outreach Team under the leadership of the Stroke Outreach Lead
To help deliver hyperacute stroke care to patients in ED. To include the assessment of a stroke patient, assistance in the delivery of thrombolysis, water swallow assessments and the coordination of transfers for mechanical thrombectomy.
To manage the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) bay, taking a lead in the nursing care of a hyperacute stroke patient.
To support the ward leader in the co-ordination and management of the stroke ward and deputise in their absence.
To help meet the standards of hyperacute and acute stroke care in the SSNAP domains. To support the SSNAP data administrator in the timely completion of missing information.
To provide advice and support to the wider hospital in the nursing care/management of stroke patients

You will be supported by a welcoming and experienced multidisciplinary team.

If you are interested please complete the application and we would welcome you to come and meet our wonderful team and tour of the ward.

About us

Working in the stroke team you will:

Have access to continuous stroke specific teaching days & ad hoc specialist training
An amazing team atmosphere including ongoing social team activities including Christmas & summer & Fundraising activities, a monthly newsletter & Stroke Shout Out board (to celebrate the team)
A supportive environment with a focus on Health and Wellbeing include H&W coaches on the department.

The Stroke Outreach team are responsible for the assessment of potential acute stroke patients in the Emergency Department. This is to ensure patients receive prompt assessment and investigations, enabling us to meet SSNAP criteria.

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.

Right to Work in the UK: This role is not available for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to support visa applications for this post in line with UKVI regulations.

Date posted

24 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

405-26-NM104STR

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

Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.

Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

Registered nurse at degree level
Acute/ Stroke qualification/experience
Evidence of CPD- ideally in relation to Stroke
Teaching QualificationPractice Assessor/Supervisor
Leadership qualification

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

Demonstrate experience in working with hyper acute and acute stroke / emergency medicine/ critical care within the UK.
Understanding of professional nursing issues.
In-depth knowledge of stroke and related ailments including the impact on psychological and mental and related mental health
Experience/ interest in patients with a diagnosis/potential diagnosis of Stroke and other illnesses affecting patient cognition.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

Evidence of ability to practice as a proficient expert Stroke practitioner
Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients & relatives
Excellent time management abilities
Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements
Evidence of an ability/ flexibility to lead team in absence of Ward Sister and/or Stroke Outreach Lead
Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality
Evidence of critical appraisal skills

Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

Registered nurse at degree level
Acute/ Stroke qualification/experience
Evidence of CPD- ideally in relation to Stroke
Teaching QualificationPractice Assessor/Supervisor
Leadership qualification

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

Essential

Demonstrate experience in working with hyper acute and acute stroke / emergency medicine/ critical care within the UK.
Understanding of professional nursing issues.
In-depth knowledge of stroke and related ailments including the impact on psychological and mental and related mental health
Experience/ interest in patients with a diagnosis/potential diagnosis of Stroke and other illnesses affecting patient cognition.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

Evidence of ability to practice as a proficient expert Stroke practitioner
Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients & relatives
Excellent time management abilities
Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements
Evidence of an ability/ flexibility to lead team in absence of Ward Sister and/or Stroke Outreach Lead
Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality
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.

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

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)