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.

30 bedded unit which will including two HASU units.

We are looking for an experienced Stroke Nurse to join us on this amazing journey of expansion and growth, bringing new opportunities to the stroke unit. The unit boasts the most friendly and welcoming team atmosphere with fantastic opportunities to progress your career.

The current 30 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.

Main duties of the job
The role will involve:

• To help deliver hyperacute stroke care to patients. 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 help 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.

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 AI can be a useful tool when completing your application. However, we are seeing an increasing over-reliance of AI tools, which can negatively affect your application as it reduces a candidate's individuality, and makes it difficult for us to gain a clear and authentic understanding of your experience, skills, and in turn your suitability for the role.

All submissions must be truthful and if you do use AI, it should only be used to enhance your application and not create your supporting statement in its entirety. Your supporting statement should be in your own words and must accurately reflect your personal experience and achievements. Where we have concerns that AI has been used to generate content that misrepresents your experience and suitability for the role, we may withdraw your application.

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.

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.

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 & 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

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

Education, Qualification & Training
Essential

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

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).

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details
Employer name Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY, United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Stroke Unit Ward Sister, Jennifer Hogg, jennifer.hogg1@nhs.net, 01305255164

Details
Date posted 18 September 2026
Pay scheme Agenda for change
Band Band 6
Salary £39,959 to £48,117 a year
Contract Permanent
Working pattern Part-time
Reference number 405-26-NM467DSNSU
Job locations Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY, United Kingdom