CLINICAL PROGRAMME COORDINATOR PNA5 CLINICAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING UNIT (CETU)

This position is a Clinical Programme Coordinator post, graded as Professional Nurse 5 (PNA5) under the Occupation Specific Dispensation, based at Bongani Regional Hospital within the Clinical Education and Training Unit (CETU). The role sits at the intersection of nursing service delivery and professional development, focusing on building the capacity of student nurses, graduate nurses, and existing clinical staff. The coordinator acts as a bridge between the hospital, nursing college, and the South African Nursing Council (SANC), ensuring that clinical education and training activities meet both regulatory standards and the practical needs of the hospital. This is not a routine nursing post but a specialist coordination role that requires strong leadership, teaching insight, and administrative rigour to manage learning programmes across multiple wards and shifts.

To be considered, applicants must hold a Senior Certificate and either a basic R425 diploma or degree in nursing, or an equivalent qualification enabling registration with SANC as a Registered Nurse in General Nursing. Alternatively, a four-year Bachelor Degree in Nursing (R174) that allows SANC registration as a Professional Nurse is accepted. Candidates need up to a maximum of seven years of appropriate nursing experience after registration, and must also have an accredited post-basic qualification in Nursing Education of at least one year. Active SANC registration for the current period is mandatory. The required skill set includes computer literacy, statistical ability, knowledge of health legislation and policies, data collection and analysis, and demonstrated leadership in planning, organising, and coordinating. Decision-making, research skills, professionalism, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively are also essential, along with accuracy, flexibility, initiative, and an assertive but supportive approach.

The core duties revolve around coordinating the full cycle of clinical education. This includes overseeing work-integrated learning, bedside accompaniment, clinical supervision, and simulation preparation for student nurses. The coordinator manages orientation and induction programmes for newly placed students, graduate nurses, and clinical staff, and conducts skills audits to identify learning and competency gaps. From those audits, they design and deliver appropriate in-service training. They also support and coordinate clinical preceptors and mentors across hospital wards, ensuring appropriate student-to-staff guidance ratios. Continuous competency assessments are a key responsibility, including reviewing professional practice files and tracking student learning contracts. The role requires strict adherence to SANC standards, accreditation requirements, and Office of Health Standards Compliance protocols. Finally, the coordinator compiles monthly, quarterly, and annual operational reports on CETU activities, training records, and student progress for hospital and nursing college management.

The advertisement includes several conditions worth noting. The department aims to promote representativity, with preference given to candidates from designated groups, particularly people with disabilities, women, and youth. Applications must include a comprehensive CV with a chronological record of experience and three referees. Shortlisted candidates will need to submit certified documents and will undergo personnel suitability checks covering criminal records, citizenship, financial standing, qualification verification, and possibly access to social media accounts. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA. New public service appointments after July 2006 must participate in the Government Employee Medical Scheme to qualify for a medical subsidy. Candidates who accepted voluntary severance packages may not apply, and the department reserves the right not to fill the post. If no appointment notification is received within four months of closing, applicants should consider their application unsuccessful.