Staff Nurse - Stroke Unit

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

• 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.

Details

Date posted: 26 February 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £31,049 to £37,796 a year Per Annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number: 405-25-NM581SN-D

Job locations: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY

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 tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification. Please contact us 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

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

Desirable

• Stroke, neuro, ED, AMU experience
• Knowledge of stroke pathways
• Knowledge of clinical audit

Values

• 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 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. 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT1 2JY

Employer's website

https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/

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