OPERATIONAL MANAGER NURSING GRADE 1 (SPECIALTY: ICU)

This is a senior nursing management position within the Nursing Division at Groote Schuur Hospital in Observatory, Cape Town. The successful candidate will be appointed as Operational Manager Nursing Grade 1 with a specialty in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nursing. The role is central to ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care in a complex tertiary hospital environment. As an operational manager, you will provide innovative leadership in your allocated area, working to realise the strategic goals and objectives of the Nursing Division. You will be expected to coordinate and oversee the day-to-day delivery of quality nursing care within the ICU, while also participating in audits and planned improvement initiatives. The position requires close collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team and involves deputising for the Assistant Manager: Nursing when needed.

To be considered, applicants must hold a basic R425 qualification in nursing, either a diploma or degree, or an equivalent qualification (R683) that allows registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Professional Nurse. In addition, candidates must have a post-basic nursing qualification of at least one year, accredited by the SANC in terms of R212 in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science: Critical Care Nursing (Adult). Alternatively, a four-year Bachelor Degree in Nursing (R174) or equivalent (R171 plus R1497) combined with a postgraduate diploma (R635) accredited by the SANC in Critical Care Nursing (Adult) is acceptable. Registration with the SANC as a Professional Nurse is mandatory. In terms of experience, a minimum of nine years of appropriate and recognisable nursing experience after registration as a Professional Nurse in General Nursing is required, with at least five of those years gained after obtaining the relevant post-basic or postgraduate qualification in the specialty.

The duties are broad and managerial in nature. You will be responsible for the formulation, monitoring and implementation of policies, guidelines, standards, quality improvement initiatives, procedures and regulations pertaining to nursing care in the ICU. This includes managing human, material and financial resources effectively, applying Functional Business Unit (FBU) management principles, and overseeing staff performance, training and personal development. You will also handle underperformance and grievances, and ensure that ethical standards and professional development are promoted. The role requires collecting and using relevant information to enhance service delivery, as well as encouraging and participating in nursing research. Inherent to the job is the requirement to perform after-hour, weekend and public holiday duties, and to be allocated to night duty as needed.

Candidates must possess strong supervisory, leadership, problem-solving, conflict resolution and interpersonal communication skills, and be able to function independently as well as within a multi-disciplinary team. Good organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure are essential. Knowledge of nursing legislation, legal and ethical nursing practices, human resources, labour relations legislation, financial management and public sector legislation is also required, along with computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. This is an OSD-graded nursing post, and no payment of any kind is required when applying. For further details, the listed contact person may be approached. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ICU nurse leader to contribute to public healthcare at one of South Africa's leading hospitals.