Nursing Assistant Grade 1 to 3 (Maternity/Neonatal) (2 posts) (Permanent position)

This vacancy is for a permanent Nursing Assistant position within the Maternity and Neonatal departments at Wesfleur Hospital, which falls under the Chief Directorate: Metro Health Services in the Western Cape Department of Health. Two posts are available, and the role is graded at Nursing Assistant Level 1 to 3, depending on the appointee’s years of recognised experience. The successful candidates will join a multi-disciplinary healthcare team and provide essential basic nursing care to mothers and newborns, working in a busy hospital environment that serves the surrounding community alert. As a Nursing Assistant at this facility, you will be expected to contribute to the physical and emotional well-being of patients, support the professional nursing staff, and ensure that care is delivered in line with departmental policies and legislative requirements.

To be considered for this role, applicants must hold a qualification that permits registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as an Enrolled Nursing Assistant. In addition, registration with the SANC as a Nursing Assistant is an inherent requirement of the job. The level at which you are appointed will depend on your experience: for Grade 1, no prior nursing experience is required after registration; for Grade 2, a minimum of ten years of appropriate or recognisable nursing experience is needed; and for Grade 3, at least twenty years of such experience is required. The department also makes a special concession for health professionals who are not yet registered but are applying for the first time for registration in this specific category. Such candidates may still apply, but they must provide proof of their application to the relevant council and proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees on or before the day of the interviewabb. This concession does not apply to those who already hold registration in another category.

The key duties of the post include providing basic nursing care by assisting patients with activities of daily living and physical care needsamen. You will also be responsible for helping to implement basic nursing care plans and for ensuring effective communication with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team. The role requires the effective utilisation of resources, which means using equipment, supplies, and time responsibly to support quality patient care. Furthermore, you will play a part in promoting quality assurance, infection prevention and control, and occupational health and safety within the department. Maintaining professional practice, ethical conduct, and continued self-development is also a central part of the position, so you will be expected to uphold the standards of the nursing profession while also seeking opportunities to grow in your own skills.

Candidates must be willing to work shifts, including public holidays, after-hours, night duty, and weekends, as the maternity and neonatal wards provide round-the-clock care. You should also be prepared to assist in any department according to operational needs, and to work overtime when necessary. The ability to function under pressure is essential in this fast-paced clinical environment. Competencies required include computer literacy in MS Office and Outlook, knowledge of basic nursing care principles and procedures, and familiarity with relevant legislation and policies of the Western Cape Department of Health. Strong verbal and written communication skills are important, as is the ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team. Applicants will be subjected to a written or practical assessment and an oral interview as part of the selection process. This position offers the typical service benefits associated with a public-sector healthcare role, including a 13th cheque, pension fund contributions, and housing and medical aid allowances, all of which form part of the advertised remuneration package for the applicable grade.