Operational Manager Nursing: General (Medical Female: Ward) (Permanent position)

This permanent position offers an experienced professional nurse the opportunity to step into a management role as Operational Manager Nursing for a general medical female ward at Khayelitsha District Hospital, within the Chief Directorate: Metro Health Services of the Western Cape Department of Health. The post is central to ensuring that patients on the ward receive safe, effective and compassionate nursing care, while also supporting the broader objectives of a busy district hospital serving a high-demand community. As an operational manager, the incumbent will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day nursing activities on the ward, leading a team of nursing staff, and ensuring that care delivery aligns with professional standards, legal frameworks and departmental policies. This is an OSD-graded nursing management post, and the advertised remuneration package includes standard service benefits such as a 13th cheque, employer contributions to a pension fund, and allowances for housing and medical aid.

Candidates must be registered with the South African Nursing Council as Professional Nurses and hold a qualification that permits this registration. Acceptable qualifications include the basic R425 diploma or degree in nursing, or an equivalent combination such as R683 plus R254. Alternatively, a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (R174) or an equivalent pathway such as R683 plus R1497 or R171 plus R1497 will also be considered. Proof of current registration for 2026, in the form of the annual licensing receipt, is required. In addition to the educational requirements, applicants need a minimum of seven years of appropriate and recognisable nursing experience after registration as a Professional Nurse in General Nursing. This experience should demonstrate a solid clinical background and the maturity needed to supervise others in a ward setting.

The core duties of the role are wide-ranging and managerial in nature. The successful candidate will supervise and ensure the provision of effective and efficient patient care through adequate nursing care, coordinate and monitor the implementation of nursing care plans, and evaluate their outcomes. They will also provide relevant health information to patients and their families to support optimal health, rehabilitation and recovery. Maintaining constructive working relationships with nursing colleagues and other stakeholders is essential, including interprofessional, inter-sectoral and multi-disciplinary teamwork. The operational manager will participate in the analysis, formulation and implementation of nursing guidelines, practices, standards and mandatory procedures, and will manage and monitor the proper utilisation of human, financial and physical resources within the ward. This requires strong leadership, people management, computer literacy and appropriate financial management skills, as well as a thorough knowledge of the legal framework and regulations governing nursing practice. Effective verbal and written communication is also critical.

Applicants must be willing to work rotational shifts, including day and night duty, as well as weekends and public holidays, in line with operational requirements. This is a demanding but rewarding role for a nurse leader who is ready to take responsibility for both patient outcomes and staff performance. The position is based at Khayelitsha District Hospital, and enquiries may be directed to the contact person listed in the advertisement. This summary is intended to provide an overview of the role; interested candidates are encouraged to review the full vacancy details and application instructions as published.