PROFESSIONAL NURSE SPECIALTY PNB1 (THEATRE) (X4 POSTS)

The Gauteng Department of Health is seeking to fill four posts for a Professional Nurse Specialty at the PNB1 level, based at Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital within the Nursing Department. This position is a specialised theatre nursing role that forms part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team at a busy tertiary hospital. The successful incumbents will be responsible for delivering high-quality perioperative nursing care, applying their specialised knowledge to ensure patient safety and positive surgical outcomes. The role is suited to experienced professional nurses who have completed a post-basic qualification in a relevant specialty and who are ready to take on both clinical and supervisory responsibilities within the operating theatre environment.

Applicants must hold a basic R425 qualification, either a diploma or degree in nursing, or an equivalent qualification that permits registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Professional Nurse. In addition, candidates must be registered with SANC and possess a post-basic nursing qualification of at least one year, accredited by SANC in the relevant speciality. A minimum of four years of appropriate and recognisable nursing experience after registration in General Nursing is required, and at least one year of this period must have been gained working in a Theatre unit, which may include the period during which the one-year post-basic qualification was obtained. This combination of formal study and practical theatre exposure ensures that incumbents are clinically competent and ready to function independently in this demanding specialty.

The core duties of the role involve demonstrating a thorough understanding of nursing legislation and the legal and ethical frameworks that guide nursing practice. The nurse will perform clinical nursing care in line with the scope of practice and the nursing standards set by the facility, while actively promoting quality care and the prevention of serious adverse events. Effective communication is essential, as the nurse will interact with patients, supervisors, clinicians and other members of the healthcare team, and may be required to write detailed reports. The incumbent must also be able to plan and organise their own work, as well as supervise support personnel, ensuring that the nursing care plan is implemented properly and that resources, both human and physical, are used efficiently. Managing the performance of subordinates through the PMDS system, maintaining a constructive working relationship with stakeholders, and upholding professional growth and ethical standards for both self and team members are all integral parts of the role. The nurse must be willing to work shifts, often under stressful conditions, and must demonstrate a strong commitment to infection prevention and control, risk identification, and the maintenance of a safe environment. Knowledge of the Ideal Hospital Realization Framework and the ability to implement it in daily practice are also required, along with a genuine concern for patient needs and adherence to the Batho Pele principles of service delivery.

Candidates who are shortlisted will need to present certified copies of their qualifications and other documents before the interview. The department will conduct personnel suitability checks, including verification of identity, qualifications, criminal record, credit and financial stability, and employment history, with reference checks requiring at least three contactable referees, one of whom must be the immediate supervisor. Applicants with foreign qualifications must provide a SAQA evaluation certificate if shortlisted. The recommended candidate may be required to undergo medical surveillance in line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The department may also use practical exercises or tests to assess the suitability of non-SMS candidates, and all shortlisted candidates will undertake pre-entry assessments, including a practical exercise and an integrity assessment, which will be scored as part of the interview process. The Gauteng Department of Health is committed to employment equity and encourages people with disabilities and candidates from all designated groups to apply. The department reserves the right not to fill the post, and applicants who have not been contacted within three months of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.