HEALTH INFORMATION OFFICER

The Health Information Officer position at Rob Ferreira Hospital in the Ehlanzeni District is a critical role within the Mpumalanga Department of Health, focused on ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and effective use of health data to support service delivery and decision-making. Based at a major hospital, the officer acts as the custodian of the District Health Information System (DHIS) and related data platforms, bridging the gap between raw patient information and actionable health intelligence. This role is essential for monitoring public health indicators, supporting policy implementation, and driving performance improvements across the facility. The position is graded at a level that reflects its technical and analytical demands, and it forms part of the broader provincial health information management framework, requiring close collaboration with hospital management, district health teams, and provincial stakeholders to ensure that data flows seamlessly from source documents to national reporting systems.

Candidates must possess a Senior Certificate or Grade 12, supplemented by six years of relevant experience in DHIS, or alternatively a Diploma or Degree at NQF Level 6 or 7 in Statistics or Information Management, recognised by SAQA, with three years of relevant DHIS experience. Advanced computer literacy is non-negotiable, along with strong presentation and data analysis skills. The ideal applicant will have extensive knowledge of health information systems, a solid grasp of public health indicators and data elements, and advanced proficiency in managing registers and all relevant source documents. Familiarity with data quality assessment tools and methods, as well as skills in data consolidation, verification, and validation, are essential. The ability to work under pressure and a valid driver’s licence are also required, reflecting the need for reliability and mobility in supporting facility and district-level activities.

The core duties revolve around the comprehensive management of hospital data. This includes conducting database management of DHIS and other relevant systems, performing facility data and performance review meetings, and executing data verification, validation, and consolidation from all sources. The officer must timeously capture data on the Web-DHIS and upload it into the system, while also supporting DHIS version updates and workshops related to new releases. Implementation support for National, Provincial, and District Health Information systems is a key responsibility, as is conducting data quality audits for the facility and developing quality improvement plans. Monitoring the implementation of health information policies ensures that the hospital remains aligned with broader regulatory and strategic requirements, making this role pivotal in maintaining data-driven accountability.

Applicants should note that this is a full-time post with service benefits, and the department has a strong commitment to employment equity, with people with disabilities explicitly encouraged to apply and to indicate such status in their applications. The recruitment process includes vetting for all shortlisted candidates, as well as two pre-entry assessments: one practical exercise to determine technical and generic suitability, and another integrity assessment to evaluate ethical conduct. These assessments form part of the interview scoring. The department reserves the right to withdraw or amend posts, and verification of qualifications will be conducted for recommended candidates. Applications are submitted online via the departmental system, and candidates must ensure their Z83 form is fully completed and signed, with a detailed CV attached. It is important to apply early, as only online applications are accepted, and applicants who do not receive feedback within 90 days of the closing date should consider their applications unsuccessful. This role offers a meaningful opportunity for a detail-oriented professional to make a tangible impact on public health service quality through robust information management.