PROFESSIONAL NURSE GRADE 1 TO 3 (GENERAL: GIT, SURGERY RELIEF, ENT & PLASTIC) (X3 POSTS)

Groote Schuur Hospital in Observatory is advertising three professional nurse posts within its general surgical nursing teams, specifically covering the gastrointestinal tract, surgical relief, ear, nose and throat and plastic surgery units. These positions are graded at professional nurse levels 1 to 3, which means the hospital is open to applications from both recently qualified nurses and experienced senior professionals. Depending on the grade at which a candidate is appointed, the role demands varying levels of post-registration nursing experience, allowing for a career pathway within the same surgical speciality. The successful incumbents will work in a large tertiary academic hospital environment, caring for patients undergoing a range of surgical procedures and supporting the daily functioning of high-pressure wards.

Applicants must meet the minimum educational requirement of a basic R425 qualification, a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing, or a three-year nursing diploma that permits registration with the South African Nursing Council as a professional nurse or general nurse. Registration with the SANC is essential. For appointment at grade 1, no previous nursing experience is required, making this a suitable entry point for newly qualified nurses. Grade 2 requires at least ten years of appropriate and recognisable nursing experience after registration, while grade 3 requires a minimum of twenty years of such experience. A special concession exists for candidates who do not yet hold the stipulated SANC registration: they may still apply, provided they submit proof of their application for registration and proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees to the council on or before the day of the interview. This concession is limited to health professionals applying for first-time registration in a specific category, including those who need to change their registration status.

The role involves much more than direct patient care. Candidates must be prepared to work shifts, including weekends, public holidays and night duty, as is typical in hospital nursing. The physical demands of the job are significant, requiring the ability to lift and turn patients, stand for long periods and lift heavy equipment. Nurses appointed to these posts may also be rotated to other departments within the hospital, with the exception of the maternity unit. Strong competencies in infection prevention and control, general nursing practice, problem solving, report writing, liaison and facilitation are essential, as is basic computer literacy in programmes such as MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet use. Effective verbal and written communication is also a key requirement.

In terms of duties, the professional nurse will provide quality nursing care within set standards, ensure effective human resource utilisation and development, and monitor financial resources within the unit. The role also requires participation in research and data collection activities, reflecting the hospital’s status as an academic institution. Shortlisted candidates may be subjected to a compulsory competency test as part of the selection process. There is no fee of any kind required when applying for these posts. This is an opportunity for dedicated nurses to build a career in specialised surgical nursing at one of South Africa’s most renowned public hospitals.