Senior Ward Sister - Stroke Unit

This Senior Ward Sister post leads the Stroke Unit at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, a newly refurbished 30-bed unit with two hyper-acute bays. The post holder manages the ward team, co-ordinates individualised stroke care with the multidisciplinary team, and runs workforce, equipment and a delegated budget. The role also develops systems to improve safety, quality and efficiency across the expanding stroke service.

Sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route is available, subject to UKVI criteria.

• Provide professional and operational leadership for stroke services
• Line manage ward staff, including performance management, appraisals, supervision, recruitment and staff development
• Work with the multidisciplinary team to co-ordinate comprehensive stroke services with individualised care
• Develop and maintain communication and working relationships across professional groups and organisational boundaries
• Manage ward resources, including workforce, equipment and delegated budget
• Lead the development and implementation of systems and processes that improve the safety, quality and efficiency of stroke services

• Registered nurse
• Masters qualification or equivalent
• Teaching qualification
• Relevant speciality qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development

• Leading a team
• Significant recent post-registration experience in acute hospital care, including stroke or medical care
• Developing a service or project
• Quality improvement, including influencing ward-level quality standards

• Expert stroke clinical knowledge with evidence-based practice and critical appraisal skills
• Understanding of professional nursing issues
• Detailed knowledge of clinical and corporate governance, best practice and clinical risk management
• Excellent communication and effective working relationships with colleagues, patients and visitors
• Managing people and resources, inspiring high standards and addressing poor performance constructively
• Managing patient flow and escalating in line with policy

• Area of special interest
• Developing leadership skills