OPERATIONAL MANAGER NURSING (SPECIALTY)- CHILD NURSING SCIENCE REF NO: GS 12/26 Component: Nursing Department- Paediatric Unit

This position offers an experienced professional nurse the opportunity to lead and manage the Paediatric Unit at Grey’s Hospital, a major public sector healthcare facility. Reporting within the Nursing Department, the Operational Manager Nursing (Specialty) in Child Nursing Science is responsible for the overall clinical and administrative functioning of the paediatric unit. The role requires someone who can combine advanced child nursing expertise with strong leadership, ensuring that the unit delivers safe, high-quality, family-centred care while operating efficiently within the public health framework.

Candidates must be registered with the South African Nursing Council as Professional Nurses and hold a Grade 12 certificate, a Degree or Diploma in General Nursing, and a one-year post-basic qualification in Child Nursing Science. A current SANC registration receipt for 2026 is required. The experience requirement is substantial: either a minimum of nine years’ appropriate nursing experience after general nursing registration, with at least five of those years gained after obtaining the Child Nursing Science qualification, or a minimum of fourteen years’ appropriate experience, including ten years after the post-basic child nursing qualification. Only shortlisted candidates will be asked to produce certified copies of qualifications and service certificates endorsed by Human Resources.

The duties are broad and demanding. The incumbent will assist in planning, organising and monitoring the objectives of the Paediatric Unit, manage a therapeutic environment for staff, patients and the public, and ensure effective communication with patients, families, multidisciplinary teams and hospital stakeholders. Clinical governance is central: the role requires rendering high-quality nursing care to all children accessing services, conducting safety risk assessments, and preventing and reporting patient safety incidents. Resource management is also key, including supervising staff, controlling costs and ensuring cost-containment measures. The Operational Manager will coordinate and plan training and research aimed at improving child care nursing, instil discipline, professionalism and work ethics among employees, and develop strategies ensuring compliance with quality care programmes such as Ideal Hospital Realisation and Maintenance and Norms and Standards. The role also involves building constructive working relationships with the multi-disciplinary team and providing relief support to nursing management as needed.

Applicants must bring strong knowledge of nursing statutes and legal frameworks, including the Nursing Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Patients’ Rights Charter, Batho Pele principles, Public Service Regulations, Labour Relations Act, and disciplinary and grievance procedures. Financial and budgetary insight, leadership, organisational ability, decision-making and problem-solving skills within the public sector policy framework, interpersonal and conflict handling skills, and basic computer literacy are all essential. This is an OSD-graded nursing management post with the usual public service benefits. The employment equity target for this vacancy is African Male, Coloured Male, African Female or Coloured Female. Shortlisted candidates will undergo a practical exercise and an integrity assessment as part of the selection process. Applications must be submitted using the latest Z83 form and a detailed CV, with no supporting documents required at application stage.