ASSISTANT MANAGER NURSING PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

This position is for an Assistant Manager Nursing Primary Health Care, based at the Empilweni Gompo Community Health Centre within the Buffalo City Metro, operating under the Eastern Cape Department of Health. It is an OSD-graded senior nursing management role, reporting within a busy primary health care environment. The post requires a professional who can provide strong clinical and administrative leadership to ensure the delivery of comprehensive, quality nursing services to the community. The successful candidate will be responsible for the overall management of the Community Health Centre, meaning they must balance operational oversight with hands-on clinical governance, staff supervision, and strategic quality improvement. The role demands a visible, accountable manager who can work across a 24-hour service pattern, which includes being on call, performing hospital sit-ups, and undertaking night duty as required by the service.

To be considered, applicants must hold a basic R425 qualification in nursing, such as a diploma or degree, or an equivalent qualification that permits registration with the South African Nursing Council as a Professional Nurse. In addition, a post-basic qualification of at least one year in Curative Skills in Primary Health Care or Clinical Assessment, Treatment and Care, accredited by the SANC, is essential. The candidate must have a minimum of ten years of appropriate and recognisable nursing experience after registering as a Professional Nurse in General Nursing. Within those ten years, at least six years must have been gained after completing the one-year post-basic specialty qualification, and at least three of those years must be at a management level. This ensures the appointee has both the clinical depth and supervisory maturity needed to lead a community health centre.

The duties are wide-ranging. The manager will deliver nursing services across general nursing areas, ensuring effective communication with patients, families, supervisors, other health professionals, and junior colleagues, including writing complex reports when needed. They must monitor patient care and compliance with quality standards, while working amicably and effectively at a managerial level with persons of diverse intellectual, cultural, racial, or religious backgrounds. Core responsibilities include providing quality nursing care, assisting team members with quality assurance and monthly audits, and developing clinical guidelines and policies. The role also covers performance management through the PMDS system for subordinates, managing risk to ensure the environment complies with the Health and Safety Act and Infection Prevention and Control Policies, and ensuring effective and efficient budget and asset control. Additionally, the manager must be prepared to engage in and manage projects aimed at improving the image of the nursing profession and enhancing the efficiency of the health service.

This post carries specific employment conditions and expectations. Applications must follow the departmental process using the new Z83 form and a comprehensive CV with three references. Shortlisted candidates will need to submit certified documents only when requested and will undergo two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise and an integrity or ethical conduct assessment. Further personnel suitability checks, including security vetting, qualification verification, and criminal record checks, will be conducted. Reference checks will be performed on the nominated candidate. The department encourages females and people with disabilities to apply, and all applicants should note that any misrepresentation in documents leads to automatic disqualification. Those not contacted within three months of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful. The department also reserves the right to amend, review, or withdraw the post if required in its best interests.