Job requirements
Requirements from the employer’s person specification. These describe the role, not your personal match.
Essential
28 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Training
Evidence of recent and ongoing CPD development, and able to demonstrate advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in field, equivalent to a doctorate plus further specialist training.
- Finance Management
Experience in the planning, monitoring and review of financial resources.
- Personal Qualities
Understanding and advocacy of underrepresented groups and a commitment to tackle inequalities and promote fairness and transparency
- Personal Qualities
A compassionate leader with a proven track record of bringing people together
- Personal Qualities
Strong personal integrity
- Previous Experience
Extensive post-registration experience of which a substantial amount must be in service management
- Previous Experience
Significant experience of working with safeguarding statutory frameworks
- Previous Experience
Extensive knowledge and experience of leadership, development and quality
- Previous Experience
Considerable understanding and experience of managing a complex service: including evidence of solving a range of complex operational and strategic problems
- Previous Experience
Extensive knowledge and experience of leading quality improvements
- Previous Experience
Well-developed people management skills, with the ability to build and lead teams across multiple locations.
- Information Technology
Good IT skills and an understanding of NHS information governance principles and practices.
- Additional Requirements
Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act 2010, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.
- Additional Requirements
Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable the post holder to carry out the role effectively
- Education and Qualifications
Professional qualification and professional registration with the NMC in one of the fields of Nursing
- Education and Qualifications
Degree in Nursing or health related subject
- Education and Qualifications
Master’s Degree or equivalent level of experience
- Education and Qualifications
Evidence of continuous professional and personal development
- Education and Qualifications
Evidence of recent management and leadership development
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Evidence of ability to confront challenging issues taking a problem-solving approach to ensure proactive and effective resolution
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Track Record of delivering against set objectives and achieving key organisational targets, demonstrating continuous improvement and taking remedial action to address unwarranted variation
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal); good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate information to senior managers, staff and external agencies
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to act on own initiative with evidence of high level of autonomous decision making
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Highly developed influencing, negotiating and conflict resolution skills
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Highly developed clinical leadership skills with strong political awareness
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Able to demonstrate personal resilience in challenging situations.
- Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Understanding of current NHS national and local agendas and implications for the Trust’s Strategy
Desirable
1 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Training
Specialist knowledge of quality improvement
Job overview
A unique opportunity to lead, influence and shape the future of integrated care in Dorset.
Whether you are ready to step into your first Chief Nursing Officer role or are an experienced executive leader seeking a new challenge, this is an exceptional opportunity to join a supportive, ambitious, and highly collaborative leadership team.
Dorset County Hospital is part of an innovative partnership with Dorset HealthCare and following the appointment of our Joint Chief Nursing Officer to a new executive leadership role across both organisations, we are seeking an outstanding Interim Chief Nursing Officer to join us at this exciting time.
As we continue to strengthen integration across acute, community and mental health services, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring we maintain our unwavering focus on delivering outstanding patient care, quality, safety, and workforce excellence. This is a rare opportunity to influence care delivery across organisational boundaries and contribute to the development of a truly integrated model of healthcare for the people of Dorset.
As a key member of the Executive Team and Board, you will help shape the next phase of our transformation journey. Working alongside talented clinical and operational leaders, you will provide strategic direction, inspire professional practice, and champion innovation that improves outcomes and experiences for patients, carers and staff.
Main duties of the job
As Interim Chief Nursing Officer, you will:
- Be the professional leader for Nursing and Quality across the Trust.
- Drive excellence in patient safety, clinical quality and patient experience.
- Influence organisational strategy and system-wide transformation as a key member of the Executive Team and Board.
- Lead significant programmes that improve clinical outcomes, experience and quality of care.
- Ensure the voices of patients, carers, families and staff remain central to decision making.
- Champion a culture of learning, innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Inspire and support the next generation of clinical leaders across the organisation.
- Working closely with the triumvirate of the Chief Operating Office and Chief Medical Officer
You will be an experienced, credible, and inspirational nursing leader with a strong track record of leading quality improvement, delivering sustainable change and working collaboratively across organisational boundaries.
You will bring strategic insight, emotional intelligence, and a deep commitment to compassionate leadership, together with the ability to influence at Board level and build strong relationships across the wider health and care system.
If you are ready to make a lasting impact, lead at the heart of an ambitious organisation and help shape the future of healthcare in Dorset, we would love to hear from you.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are looking for a visible, compassionate, and values-driven leader who is passionate about creating environments where people feel supported, empowered and able to thrive. You will provide strategic leadership for nursing, midwifery, allied health professionals, and quality, while helping to shape the future direction of our Trust and our wider system partnerships.
Like all NHS organisations, we face significant challenges and opportunities, including increasing demand, workforce pressures, advancing technology and system-wide transformation. We are seeking someone with the resilience, ambition, and creativity to navigate complexity while maintaining a relentless focus on quality, inclusion and patient-centred care.
Most importantly, you will share our commitment to delivering exceptional care and creating a culture where our people can be at their best every day.
Please see the attached candidate pack and any additional questions please request a meeting with Dawn Dawson, Deputy Chief Executive
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Interim Chief Nursing Officer with Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Dorchester, England. It is listed as a Director of nursing role. The advertised salary is £100,000 - £200,000 PA. The contract type is 12 months (Fixed term 12 months). The application deadline is 09 Sep 2026.
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