Assistant Manager Nursing (Specialty: ICU) (Permanent position)

This is a permanent Assistant Manager Nursing position specialising in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nursing, based at Groote Schuur Hospital in Observatory. The role sits within the broader nursing management structure of one of South Africa’s leading academic hospitals, reporting and liaising directly with nursing and medical managers as well as departmental heads for ancillary and support services. The post is graded as an OSD nursing position and carries a competitive annual salary with standard service benefits, including a 13th cheque, pension fund contributions, and housing and medical aid allowances. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating, supervising, and controlling all nursing services within the ICU department, ensuring that patient care is delivered to the highest professional and legal standards.

Applicants must be registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as Professional Nurses. The minimum educational requirement is a basic R425 qualification, being a diploma or degree in nursing, or an equivalent R683 qualification that permits SANC registration. In addition, candidates need a post-basic nursing qualification of at least one year, accredited by SANC in terms of R212, in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science: Critical Care Nursing (Adult), or a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (R174) with equivalent qualifications, or a postgraduate diploma (R635) accredited by SANC in Critical Care Nursing (Adult). This ensures the applicant holds specialist theoretical and clinical competence in adult critical care.

Substantial experience is required. Candidates must have a minimum of ten years of appropriate and recognisable nursing experience after first registering as a Professional Nurse with SANC. Within that period, at least six years must have been gained after obtaining the relevant post-basic qualification or postgraduate diploma in the speciality. Furthermore, at least three of the ten years must be at a nurse management level, demonstrating proven leadership and administrative capability. The role demands a broad range of competencies, including quality assurance, human resource and financial management, change management, decision-making, problem solving, and strong interpersonal skills. Familiarity with grievance procedures and disciplinary legislation is essential, as is computer literacy in MS Word and Excel. Effective negotiation, facilitation, and communication skills are also required, along with a solid understanding of Infection Prevention and Control policies.

In terms of key responsibilities, the Assistant Manager Nursing will ensure the provision of optimal, holistic, and specialised nursing care within set standards and the professional and legal framework governing nursing practice. The post holder must ensure that all prescribed policies and procedures are adhered to by the ICU nursing team. This includes managing the initiation and utilisation of both human and material resources effectively, ensuring that staffing and equipment are deployed efficiently. Financial management forms a core part of the role, alongside the control and execution of quality-of-care measures. The incumbent will also coordinate effective training and research activities to support professional growth, ethical standards, and continuous self-development among staff. Direct liaison with nursing and medical managers, as well as departmental heads for ancillary and support services, is a key feature of the role, ensuring integrated and collaborative patient care across the hospital.

Applicants should note that no payment of any kind is required to apply for this position. Shortlisted candidates may be subjected to a competency test as part of the selection process. This position offers a rewarding opportunity for an experienced and qualified critical care nurse to step into a senior management role within a prestigious tertiary hospital, shaping the quality and direction of ICU nursing services.