LIAISON OFFICER (QUALITY ASSURANCE)

This position is based at George Regional Hospital and falls under the Rural Health Services directorate. The Liaison Officer (Quality Assurance) is responsible for ensuring that the patient's voice is systematically captured and acted upon, so that service delivery is continually improved. The role is central to the facility's quality assurance function and involves coordinating complaints, compliments and suggestions, managing real-time patient engagement, and overseeing patient experience surveys and related feedback mechanisms. The officer will also support broader information coordination, provide frontline relief duties, and supervise staff reporting to the post, making this both an operational and a people-management role.

The ideal candidate must hold an appropriate national diploma at NQF level 6 or equivalent in Public Relations Management, Public Administration or Communications, with study content that directly addresses the key performance areas of the post. Applicants need experience in interpersonal communication within a health or social service setting, as well as experience in developing, coordinating and implementing quality improvement plans or initiatives that lead to better outcomes. Practical proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, is also required. Because the job involves community outreach and engagement with patients, families and ecosystem health partners, a valid Code B/EB driver's licence is essential, along with a willingness to work overtime and flexible hours when operational needs arise.

The successful candidate must be able to independently plan, organise and coordinate consumer quality and patient experience services. This calls for strong problem-solving, analytical and decision-making skills, and the ability to design, implement and monitor quality improvement interventions based on data and trends. Excellent interpersonal, communication and conflict management skills are essential, as the officer will interact with patients, staff and stakeholders and must use effective communication to support quality assurance objectives. Strong administrative, organisational and report-writing abilities are also needed, particularly for survey management, feedback reporting and information coordination. In terms of day-to-day responsibilities, the officer will maintain the facility's complaints, compliments and suggestions system, keep the real-time patient engagement process running smoothly, work to prevent and mitigate risks, coordinate patient experience surveys, support information coordination, and step in for frontline duties and relief support. The post also carries line management responsibilities, including supervision and people management for staff who report to the Liaison Officer.

This is a provincial government post based in the public health sector. No payment of any kind is required when applying, so applicants should be wary of any request for money. Those interested should ensure their qualifications and experience clearly reflect the competencies outlined above, as shortlisting is based on the requirements of the post. The position demands a candidate who is not only administratively strong but also comfortable working directly with the public in a hospital environment, often under pressure, and committed to using feedback to improve the quality and safety of care. The role offers an opportunity to make a tangible difference in rural health services by strengthening accountability and patient-centred care at George Regional Hospital.