Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Deputy Sister/Deputy Charge Nurse to join our senior team on The Mary Anning Unit to cover maternity leave for a 1 year fixed period.

This opportunity will enable the successful candidate to develop their skills in leading and managing a team whilst caring for the medically unwell older person and those with varying degrees of cognitive impairment.

Main duties of the job
You will be working alongside our partner agencies to support individualised care packages and facilitate ongoing care needs. You will also develop the skills required to orchestrate often complex discharge pathways.

The unit cares for the medically unwell older person aiming for positive patient outcomes and to optimise the care and protection of our elderly, often vulnerable clientele.

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 provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our 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 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
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.

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 & TR
Essential

• Registered nurse at degree level or working towards/or relevant experience
• Relevant specialty qualification/experience
• Evidence of CPD
• Teaching Qualification

Skills & Abilities
Essential

• Evidence of ability to practice as a proficient practitioner
• Evidence of ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, patients & relatives
• Excellent time management
• Understanding of clinical governance and its requirements
• Evidence of an ability/ flexibility to lead team in absence of Senior Sister, and a willingness to develop relevant team management skills
• Demonstrate an understanding of confidentiality
• Evidence of an area of specialist interest

Desirable

• Evidence of critical appraisal skills

Knowledge & Experience
Essential

• Demonstrate experience in working with acute elderly care.
• Understanding of professional nursing issues
• Knowledge of ageing processes and related mental / physical health problems
• Experience/ interest in patients with a diagnosis/potential diagnosis of Dementia and other illnesses affecting patient cognition

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
United Kingdom

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:
Sister Ward Sister
Michelle Mowlem
michelle.mowlem@nhs.net
01305255313

Details
Date posted
18 September 2026

Pay scheme
Agenda for change

Band
Band 6

Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year
Per Annum

Contract
Fixed term

Duration
12 months

Working pattern
Full-time,
Part-time

Reference number
405-26-NM469DSN

Job locations
Dorset County Hospital
Williams Avenue
Dorchester
DT1 2JY
United Kingdom

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