Job summary
Are you a caring registered mental health nurse looking to work in an acute male patient setting?

Harbour Ward is a 16 bedded male treatment ward that provides a high level of treatment and care for a wide range of mental health illnesses for people aged 18 to 64. We utilise a range of interventions to ensure we adhere to best practice and provide excellent care to patients at all times.

You will have excellent clinical skills and be a team player who is emotionally intelligent and able to remain calm. The multi-disciplinary team are friendly, supportive and promote a calm and therapeutic approach enabling patients to move forward with their recovery. We offer opportunities to further develop your skills within specialised training such as DBT, CBT, enhanced risk assessment, and enhanced physical health interventions.

We have a variety of shifts including part and full-time hours to support your needs:

• Long Days 7:15 - 21:00
• Early 7:15 - 15:15
• Late 13:00 - 21:00
• Nights 20:30 - 7:40

Opportunities for flexible working are available as long as the service needs are met.

Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful.

Main duties of the job
We would welcome applications from newly qualified nurses and we provide a very comprehensive and fully supported Preceptorship Programme for newly qualified healthcare professionals, alongside a ward based induction programme where you will be closely supported by the Clinical Team Leaders and wider team in settling in to your new role as a qualified nurse.

Following successful completion of your 6 month probation period, you will meet with your supervisor to discuss your personal development plan which will identify your learning and training needs, so we can ensure you have all the skills you need to be the best you can be in your role.

We would love to hear about what attributes you believe you will bring to the team within your application, and what has driven you to apply for this role.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

About us
At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details
Date posted: 27 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
p.a., pro rata for part time
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Reference number: 152-M276.26
Job locations: St Ann's Hospital, 69 Haven Road, Poole, BH13 7LN, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

We understand that using AI can be a useful and supportive tool when completing your application. However, we have also seen an increase in the over-reliance of AI tools which is negatively impacting applications as they remove candidates individuality, and it becomes much harder to get a sense of who you are and your authentic experience. If you do use AI, it should be used to enhance your application and not to create your supporting statement in its entirety. If we suspect you have used AI to create your supporting statement and this does not match your experience, we may withdraw your application.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and training
Essential

• Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• Preceptorship or working towards it
• Ability to take charge of a ward/case load regularly

Information Technology
Essential

• Basic IT skills, normally obtained through practice or practical training

Personal Qualities/Attributes
Essential

• Ability to work with minimum supervision / unsupervised
• Ability to work in a team
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to use initiative / Able to positively influence others

Additional requirements
Essential

• Ability to meet contractual requirements and participate in 24 hour care
• A level of fitness and ability to participate and complete PMVA, Breakaway training and Manual Handling (practice and theory).
• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively.
• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

Job specific experience
Essential

• Ability to supervise other staff

Managerial/supervisory experience
Essential

• Supervised experience gained during clinical placements
• Ability to mentor students

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).

Employer details
Employer name: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: St Ann's Hospital, 69 Haven Road, Poole, BH13 7LN, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Harbour Ward Manager, Danni McQuirk, danielle.mcquirk@nhs.net, 01202492445

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.