PROFESSIONAL NURSE GRADE 1 TO 2: SPECIALTY (OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY)

This position is for a Professional Nurse specialising in Occupational Health and Safety, based at George Regional Hospital and falling under the Rural Health Services directorate. The successful candidate will join a health ecosystem in which advertised posts are linked to the institution and facility, and may be expected to render clinical services across other institutions within that ecosystem as needed to sustain service delivery. The role is a specialty nursing post, graded at Professional Nurse Level 1 or 2 depending on the appointee’s experience, and is central to protecting the health and wellbeing of hospital staff through a structured occupational health programme.

Applicants must hold a basic nursing qualification, either the R425 diploma or degree in nursing or an equivalent qualification that allows registration with the South African Nursing Council as a Professional Nurse. In addition, they need a post-basic qualification in Occupational Health Nursing accredited by the SANC, such as the one-year R212 programme, or alternatively a four-year Bachelor Degree in Nursing with a postgraduate diploma in Occupational Health Nursing. Registration with the SANC as a Professional Nurse is essential. For appointment at Grade 1, at least four years of appropriate nursing experience after registration in General Nursing is required. For Grade 2, a minimum of fourteen years of relevant nursing experience is needed, of which at least ten years must have been gained after obtaining the specialty qualification in Occupational Health Nursing. Candidates who do not yet have the stipulated registration may also apply, but they will only be considered if they submit proof of application for registration and proof of payment of the prescribed fees to the relevant council on or before the day of the interview; this concession applies only to first-time applicants for registration in the relevant specialty qualification.

The duties of the post are broad and managerial in nature. The nurse will develop, manage and implement an effective Occupational Medical Surveillance Programme within the hospital, coordinate and manage a clinical occupational health service for staff, and identify and mitigate occupational risks across the facility. Governance, compliance and overall management of occupational health services also form part of the role, alongside training, capacity building and raising occupational health awareness among staff. The post requires strong leadership, planning and organisational skills, as well as the ability to analyse problems and make decisions. Knowledge of the ethical and legal framework of the acts, regulations, rules and governmental policies governing occupational health and safety in the Western Cape is essential, as is computer literacy in MS Office applications. A valid Code B or EB driver’s licence is required, and the incumbent must be willing to work overtime and flexible hours when necessary. No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post.