OPERATIONAL MANAGER NURSING GRADE 1 (GENERAL: CHILDREN’S WARD) West Coast District

This position is for an Operational Manager Nursing Grade 1 responsible for the general Children’s Ward at Vredenburg Hospital, located within the Saldanha Sub District of the West Coast District. It is a middle-management nursing role that requires a seasoned professional to take charge of the day-to-day clinical and administrative functioning of the paediatric unit. The post is graded under the Occupation Specific Dispensation and sits within the broader District Health System, meaning the incumbent will be expected to align ward-level operations with provincial and district health priorities while ensuring that children receive safe, ethical and high-quality nursing care.

To be eligible, applicants must hold a basic R425 qualification in nursing, such as a diploma or degree, or an equivalent qualification that permits registration as a Professional Nurse with the South African Nursing Council. Alternatively, a four-year Bachelor of Nursing degree, or a recognised equivalent combination, is accepted. In addition to the educational requirement, candidates need at least seven years of appropriate and recognisable nursing experience after registering with the SANC as a Professional Nurse in General Nursing. A valid code B/EB driver’s licence is essential, as the role involves travel for meetings, outreach services and operational activities. The successful candidate must also be willing to work overtime, perform after-hours and weekend standby duties across day, night and public holiday shifts, and to relieve the Assistant Manager Nursing and Operational Manager when required.

The role demands strong leadership and clinical governance. The Operational Manager will supervise, coordinate and delegate nursing activities to ensure that professional and ethical standards are maintained, and that all applicable legislation is followed within the designated unit. This includes managing human resources, employee relations, and the efficient use of material and financial resources. The post holder will be responsible for budgeting, financial planning and control at unit level, as well as for monitoring and evaluating the quality of care delivered. In addition, the position requires oversight of research, training and education within the ward, promoting continuous professional development among staff.

The ideal candidate will be able to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team, with strong communication, interpersonal, leadership and conflict resolution skills. Computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Internet is required. Knowledge of the District Health System and its implementation, as well as practical experience in office administration, human resource management, financial management, supply chain and procurement processes at operational level, is essential. Notably, no payment of any kind is required when applying for this post, and shortlisted candidates may be subjected to a competency test. This is an opportunity for an experienced professional nurse to make a meaningful impact on paediatric services in a regional hospital setting.