ASSISTANT MANAGER NURSING (SPECIALTY: FORENSICS)

This position offers an experienced psychiatric nursing professional the opportunity to step into a senior operational leadership role within the Metro Health Services directorate, based at Valkenberg Hospital, a specialised psychiatric facility. As Assistant Manager Nursing with a specialty in forensics, the incumbent will be responsible for the effective management of psychiatric wards, ensuring that all activities within these units are coordinated seamlessly with relevant supervisors, internal departments, and external stakeholders. The role sits at the intersection of clinical excellence, administrative oversight, and inter-agency collaboration, requiring a leader who can maintain high standards of forensic psychiatric care while managing the daily pressures of a hospital environment. The post is graded according to the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for nursing, reflecting its senior status within the provincial health system.

Candidates must hold a basic R425 qualification in nursing (diploma or degree) or an equivalent that permits registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Professional Nurse with Psychiatry. Alternatively, a four-year Bachelor Degree in Nursing (R174) or equivalent, combined with a post-graduate diploma in Mental Health Nursing (R635), is acceptable. In addition, a post-basic qualification of at least one year in Advanced Psychiatric Nursing Science (R212) is required for those on the first pathway. Registration with the SANC as a Professional Nurse is non-negotiable. The experience requirement is substantial: a minimum of ten years of recognisable nursing experience after registration, of which at least six years must be in psychiatric nursing following the post-basic qualification, and at least three of those years must have been spent in a management-level role. This ensures that the successful candidate has both deep clinical grounding and proven supervisory capability.

The core duties revolve around the delivery of quality psychiatric nursing care across the hospital, with a particular focus on forensic wards. This includes managing and monitoring the efficient use of human, financial, and physical resources, as well as participating in the development and implementation of nursing guidelines, standards, and procedures that align with the Ideal Hospital Standards. The role also involves supervising the collection and reporting of statistical information essential for rendering a quality mental health service, and liaising with a wide range of stakeholders—including referring hospitals, family members, security services, and the South African Police Service—on both day and night shifts. The manager will also be expected to encourage and participate in nursing research at the institution, contributing to evidence-based practice.

Inherent to the job is a willingness to work shifts, including weekends, public holidays, night duty relief, and overtime as needed, as well as holding a valid Code B (or EB) driver’s licence. Strong computer literacy, basic financial and statistics management skills, and effective verbal and written communication are essential competencies. This is a demanding but rewarding role for a seasoned psychiatric nurse leader who thrives in a forensic setting. The department is committed to employment equity, and this post may be subject to affirmative action targets. No payment of any kind is required when applying, and all applications must be submitted through the official Western Cape Education Department online portal as specified in the circular. For further details, the contact person is listed in the original advertisement. This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the role, its requirements, and its responsibilities, ensuring that prospective applicants understand the full scope before applying.