Junior Ward Sister

Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for substantive position in a Band 6 role on Stanley Purser Ward.

To be considered for this position, applicants must have a minimum of 2 years' post-registration experience.

This is a fantastic development opportunity for registered nurses who are looking to progress into leadership and management roles in the future. You will gain valuable experience in coordinating shifts, supporting the wider team, and developing your clinical leadership skills in a supportive environment.

The role will require you to play a key part in delivering compassionate, patient-centred care while demonstrating effective clinical leadership.

In return, we can offer:

• A supportive and positive working environment
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Pay enhancements for night, weekend, and bank holiday working
• NHS Pension Scheme
• Generous annual leave of up to 33 days plus bank holidays (pro rata, dependent on service)
• NHS staff discounts and salary sacrifice schemes
• Access to our Trust's unique beach huts located along the famous Sandbanks coastline

This is a fixed term role and for those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

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
Deliver high-quality, person-centred care that consistently promotes patient safety, privacy, and dignity.

Undertake comprehensive assessments, provide specialist care, interventions, and treatments, manage a defined caseload as part of the MDT

Provide expert clinical advice and guidance to colleagues and the wider team on the management and care of patients/service users.

Develop, implement, and evaluate individualised programmes of care, ensuring effective delegation and delivery by the wider team.

Plan, implement, and review health promotion and improvement programmes across a range of clinical settings.

Responsible for the coordination and leadership of the clinical area on a shift-by-shift basis, ensuring safe staffing levels, effective patient flow, and high standards of care delivery.

Demonstrate professional leadership, supporting team development, and promoting a positive, inclusive working environment.

Provide supervision, mentorship, education, and clinical support to students, newly qualified staff, and registered practitioners.

Support the Ward Manager in service development, quality improvement initiatives, clinical governance, and the implementation of Trust policies and procedures.

Contribute to audit, risk management, and incident reporting processes, ensuring learning is shared and embedded within the team.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced/Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.

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 almost800,000 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 create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.

Details
Date posted: 07 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £25,573 to £30,794 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 152-C143.26
Job locations: Hanham Ward, Swanage Hospital, Swanage, BH19 2ET, 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 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 candidates 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.

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

Person Specification
EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Essential

• Registered Nurse to degree/diploma level
• Recognised teaching & assessing qualification
• Minimum of 2 years experience at band 5

EXPERIENCE
Essential

• Recent previous experience within a comparable role & setting
• Recent previous experience of working within a customer focused environment
• Previous line management experience

SKILLS & ABILITIES
Essential

• Demonstrable ability to prioritise effectively
• Ability to use own initiative within sphere of authority
• Evidence of good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Demonstrated ability at exercising tact and diplomacy
• Demonstrated ability to analyse situations and to provide a resolution

KNOWLEDGE
Desirable

• Demonstrated knowledge of the Mental Health Act (where applicable)
• Demonstrated knowledge of Deprivation of Liberty Act
• Strong leadership skills
• Knowledge of national agendas
• Knowledge of HR processes

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: Hanham Ward, Swanage Hospital, Swanage, BH19 2ET, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Senior Sister
Maria Williams
Maria.williams37@nhs.net
01929475013

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.