PROFESSIONAL NURSE: SPECIALTY [PN-B1] GRADE 1–2 SESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS: MAXIMUM OF 20 SESSIONS PER WEEK PER PN (1 SESSION = 1 HOUR)

This advertisement from a South African provincial health department invites applications from suitably qualified professional nurses for sessional appointments in two categories: specialty nursing and midwifery. The specialty posts are graded as Professional Nurse Specialty PN-B1 Grade 1 and Grade 2, and are offered on a sessional basis, with a maximum of twenty one-hour sessions per week per nurse. Successful candidates will be placed at designated hospitals across the Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Waterberg districts, including Pietersburg, Mankweng, Letaba, St Ritas, Philadelphia, Tshilidzini and Mokopane hospitals. The specialty disciplines in demand are operational theatre nursing, critical care adult (ICU), child nursing (paediatrics), child critical care nursing (ICU), trauma nursing, advanced midwifery and neonatal nursing science, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, renal nursing, and paediatric or child nursing.

To be considered for the specialty posts, applicants must hold a minimum basic R425 qualification, namely a diploma or degree in nursing or an equivalent qualification that allows registration with the South African Nursing Council as a professional nurse. In addition, a post-basic nursing qualification in one of the listed specialty areas is required, with a duration of at least one year and accredited by the SANC, except for neonatal ICU nursing. Current registration with the SANC as a professional nurse in the appropriate specialty is essential. For appointment at Grade 1, a minimum of four years of appropriate or recognisable nursing experience after registration in general nursing is required. For Grade 2, candidates need at least fourteen years of such experience, of which ten years must be in the relevant specialty after obtaining the post-basic qualification. Candidates must also be willing to work shifts, flexi-hours, weekends, public holidays and overtime when required.

The role demands sound knowledge and skills in nursing care processes and procedures within the relevant specialty, as well as good communication, report writing, facilitation, liaison, networking and problem-solving abilities. Information management skills and computer literacy are also expected. Key performance areas include providing direction and supervision for the implementation of the nursing care plan and ensuring quality patient care; practising nursing and healthcare in line with standards, quality indicators, legislation and regulations; working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary clinical team; and utilising human, material and physical resources efficiently and effectively.

In addition to the specialty posts, the same advertisement covers sessional appointments for professional nurses with midwifery qualifications at Grade 1, 2 and 3. These positions are based at a wider network of hospitals in the Vhembe, Waterberg, Capricorn and Mopani districts, including Elim, Siloam, Donald Frazer, Malamulele, Messina, Louis Trichardt, Hayani, Ellisras, Witpoort, Warmbaths, FH Odendaal, George Masebe, Thabazimbi, Voortrekker, Mokopane, Helene Franz, Seshego, WF Knobel, Botlokwa, Lebowakgomo, Zebediela, Pietersburg-Mankweng, Thabamoopo, Nkhensani, Dr CN Phatudi, Maphutha L Malatjie, Kgapane, Sekororo, Van Velden, Letaba and Evuxakeni hospitals. The midwifery posts also operate on a sessional basis with the same maximum of twenty sessions per week. The posts form part of a professional nurses database for sessional appointments, with 138 positions available.

All sessional remuneration is determined according to DPSA-approved sessional rates, based on the candidate's appropriate and recognisable experience after registration with the SANC. These are sessional appointments, meaning they are not permanent posts, and the number of sessions worked per week is capped. Applicants are required to apply through the specific district institution and specialty application links provided in the advertisement, and should ensure they meet the inherent requirements and key performance areas outlined above. This is an opportunity for experienced professional nurses to contribute to public healthcare delivery in Limpopo on a flexible, sessional basis.