Job requirements
Essential
19 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Skills & Abilities
Excellent personal and communication skills
- Skills & Abilities
Evidence of ability to practice as an expert practitioner
- Skills & Abilities
Demonstrates ability to place patient and family at centre of care
- Skills & Abilities
Excellent organisational ability
- Skills & Abilities
Understanding of clinical governance and ability to establish systems in practice
- Skills & Abilities
Demonstrates a desire to explore new and innovative ways of delivering services
- Skills & Abilities
Demonstrates leadership ability
- Skills & Abilities
Evidence of effective team leading and participation
- Skills & Abilities
Evidence of successful management of change
- Skills & Abilities
Ability to critically analyse research and evidence-based practice
- Skills & Abilities
Evidence of Management experience in critical care or equivalent sphere of nursing
- Skills & Abilities
Understanding of budget management
- Knowledge & Experience
Minimum of 5 years relevant post registration experience including a minimum 1 years’ experience at band
- Knowledge & Experience
Substantial post registration experience in Critical Care
- Education, Qualifications & Training
Registered Nurse
- Education, Qualifications & Training
Evidence of Leadership, management qualification or relevant experience
- Education, Qualifications & Training
Relevant specialty qualification and or evidence of education specific to Critical Care at level 3 at Master’s level or equivalent.
- Education, Qualifications & Training
Evidence of CPD
- Education, Qualifications & Training
Teaching qualification or relevant experience
Desirable
2 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Knowledge & Experience
Understanding of professional nursing issues
- Knowledge & Experience
Experience in service improvement
Job overview
Lead, Inspire and Shape the Future of Critical Care at Dorset County Hospital
Are you an experienced Critical Care Nurse ready to take the next step in your leadership journey?
Dorset County Hospital's Critical Care Service is seeking a dedicated, dynamic, and compassionate Band 7 Ward Leader to join our welcoming Senior Critical Care Leadership Team.
This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of Critical Care at DCH as we prepare to move into our brand-new, purpose-built Critical Care Unit in 2027, alongside the development of our new Enhanced Care Service.
We are looking for a Registered Nurse with significant Critical Care experience, strong leadership skills, and a passion for delivering outstanding patient-centred care. You'll work alongside a supportive multidisciplinary team, leading with confidence, driving quality and governance standards, and helping to create a positive environment for both patients and staff.
At DCH, we're proud of our strong team culture, our commitment to staff wellbeing and our investment in education and development through our dedicated Clinical Practice Educator Team.
✨ Lead and inspire a highly skilled team ✨ Help shape an exciting new Critical Care service ✨ Deliver exceptional care for our patients and families ✨ Develop your leadership career within a supportive organisation
Ready to be part of the future of Critical Care at DCH? We'd love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
- To lead the nursing team and provide a specialist nursing service in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional conduct, Trust policies/procedures and ensure that the service is delivered within the allocated resources.
- To manage all elements of staff performance, sickness and wellbeing in line with Trust policy.
- To provide high standards of evidenced based care that supports the wellbeing needs of critically ill patients and their families.
- To provide specialist skilled Critical Care nursing and supervision of the nursing team in delivering an effective service.
- To continue personal professional development and be responsible for developing others
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
UKVI Sponsorship: We will not be offering sponsorship for this role.
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 [email protected] 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.
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 Ward Leader - Critical Care Unit with Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Dorchester, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Ward manager role. The advertised salary is £49,387 - £56,515 Per Annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 22 Nov 2026.
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