PROFESSIONAL NURSE GENERAL

This vacancy is for a Professional Nurse General at Umphumulo Hospital, a facility operating under the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. The post is an occupation-specific dispensation position, meaning appointment will be made at an appropriate grade based on the candidate’s years of relevant experience after registration with the South African Nursing Council. The role is central to the delivery of comprehensive nursing care within the hospital, combining clinical responsibilities with supervisory and administrative duties. The successful candidate will be expected to function both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, ensuring that patient care is cost-effective, equitable, and aligned with public health regulations.

Applicants must hold a Diploma or Degree in General Nursing and Midwifery, together with a Matric certificate or equivalent, and must be registered with the South African Nursing Council as a General Nurse and Midwife. Current registration for the year in question must be maintained. The required experience is graded: Grade 1 is open to those with no experience after registration, while Grade 2 requires a minimum of ten years of appropriate nursing experience, and Grade 3 requires at least twenty years. In addition to formal qualifications, the role demands a sound knowledge of nursing care processes and procedures, as well as the legal and policy frameworks governing healthcare in South Africa. This includes the Nursing Act, Health Act, Patient’s Rights Charter, Batho Pele Principles, Public Service Regulations, Labour Relations Act, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and the code of conduct. Candidates need strong skills in communication, report writing, facilitation, coordination, planning, organising, decision-making, and computer usage, and they must be able to formulate patient-related policies. A basic understanding of human resource and financial policies is also expected.

The duties of the position are broad. The nurse will demonstrate effective communication with patients, supervisors, other health professionals, and junior colleagues, and will produce more complex reports as required. They must work amicably with people of diverse backgrounds, show genuine concern for patients, and advocate for proper treatment and care while upholding Batho Pele principles. The role involves participative management, including assisting with relief duties of the supervisor and acting as a shift leader on both day and night shifts when necessary. The nurse is responsible for maintaining accurate and complete patient records, utilising human, material, and physical resources efficiently, and providing direction and supervision for the implementation of the nursing plan. They must implement quality standards, practices, criteria, and indicators for nursing care, and practise in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. Maintaining constructive working relationships with nursing and other stakeholders is essential, and the candidate must be prepared to work shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

This department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and encourages persons with disabilities to apply. Appointment is subject to security clearance, credit record checks, qualification verification, citizenship, and previous experience verification. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo two pre-entry assessments, one practical exercise and one integrity assessment, which will be scored as an additional criterion during the interview. Shortlisted applicants with foreign qualifications must submit a SAQA evaluation certificate, and non-citizens or work permit holders must provide documentary proof. Applicants should note that no copies of qualifications or ID are required at the application stage, and only shortlisted candidates need to produce certified documents and endorsed service certificates on the day of the interview. Unfortunately, no payment of subsistence and travel claims will be made, and candidates who do not receive notification within three months of the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful.