Job summary
We're growing -- and we'd love you to grow with us.
Our Stroke Service is expanding to support patients across Dorset and Somerset, including the launch of our brand-new Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit (HASU).
We are recruiting Band 5 Registered Nurses who want to make a real difference at one of the most critical moments in a person's life.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking team delivering high-quality, time-critical stroke care across the full pathway -- hyper-acute, acute, and early rehabilitation.
As a Band 5 Nurse, you will play a key role in delivering safe, compassionate, evidence-based care to patients with complex neurological needs. You will work closely with our Stroke Consultants, Specialist Nurses, Therapists, and wider MDT to support patients through some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
Main duties of the job
What we're looking for
We welcome applications from nurses who are:
- Passionate about stroke care
- Confident in fast-paced clinical environments
- Keen to develop skills in NIHSS, thrombolysis/thrombectomy pathways, dysphagia management, and neurological assessment
- Motivated to work in a service that is growing, innovating, and improving outcomes for patients across two counties
What you'll be doing
- Delivering high-quality nursing care to patients with acute and hyper-acute stroke presentations
- Completing neurological observations, NIHSS scoring, and escalation
- Supporting post-thrombolysis monitoring and early mobilisation
- Working closely with the MDT to deliver personalised rehabilitation plans
- Communicating sensitively with patients and families during complex and emotional situations
- Contributing to service development as we launch our HASU
What we offer
- Full stroke-specific induction
- NIHSS training and competency sign-off
- Opportunities to rotate into the Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit
- Access to stroke specialist education and CPD
- Supportive leadership and a strong MDT culture
- Clear development pathways into Band 6 Stroke Specialist role
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.
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
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to deliver safe, evidence based care
- Effective communication & teamwork
- Time management & prioritisation
- Ability to maintain accurate records
Desirable
- Leadership potential
- Critical appraisal skills
- Teaching/mentoring experience
Education, Qualification and Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current NMC registration (Part 1 Adult/ General Level 1 or 2)
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Practice Supervisor/Assessor
- Evidence of Stroke related CPD
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience in an acute hospital setting (UK)
- An understanding of professional nursing issues
- Understanding of confidentiality & safeguarding
- Describe a time you cared for a patient with an acute neurological change. What actions did you take and what was the outcome?
- Tell us about a situation where you supported a patient or family during a difficult or unexpected deterioration
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to develop leadership skills
- Stroke, neuro, ED, AMU experience
- Knowledge of stroke pathways
- Knowledge of clinical audit
Values
Essential
- Compassion, respect, patient centred approach
Person Specification
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Able to deliver safe, evidence based care
- Effective communication & teamwork
- Time management & prioritisation
- Ability to maintain accurate records
Desirable
- Leadership potential
- Critical appraisal skills
- Teaching/mentoring experience
Education, Qualification and Training
Essential
- Registered Nurse with current NMC registration (Part 1 Adult/ General Level 1 or 2)
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Practice Supervisor/Assessor
- Evidence of Stroke related CPD
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience in an acute hospital setting (UK)
- An understanding of professional nursing issues
- Understanding of confidentiality & safeguarding
- Describe a time you cared for a patient with an acute neurological change. What actions did you take and what was the outcome?
- Tell us about a situation where you supported a patient or family during a difficult or unexpected deterioration
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to develop leadership skills
- Stroke, neuro, ED, AMU experience
- Knowledge of stroke pathways
- Knowledge of clinical audit
Values
Essential
- Compassion, respect, patient centred approach
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).
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.
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).
