PROFESSIONAL NURSE GRADE 1 TO 3 (GENERAL NURSING: PHC) West Coast District

This position is for a Professional Nurse at Grade 1, 2, or 3, specialising in general nursing within the Primary Health Care (PHC) context. The successful candidate will be stationed at the Malmesbury Community Day Centre (CDC) in the Swartland Sub-district of the West Coast District. The role is central to delivering front-line public-sector health services, with a strong emphasis on comprehensive, community-based care. As an OSD-graded post, it offers a structured career pathway for nurses with varying levels of experience, allowing applicants to enter at the grade that matches their professional history.

The educational requirements are specific: applicants must hold a basic R425 qualification, which is a diploma or degree in nursing, or an equivalent qualification such as R683 plus R254, all of which must permit registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Professional Nurse. Alternatively, a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing under R174, or equivalent combinations like R683 plus R1497 or R171 plus R1497, is acceptable. In addition to the qualification, candidates must be registered with the SANC as a Professional Nurse. The experience required differs by grade: no experience is needed for Grade 1, while Grade 2 demands a minimum of ten years of appropriate and recognisable nursing experience after registration in General Nursing. Grade 3 requires at least twenty years of such post-registration experience. A valid code B/EB driver’s licence is an inherent requirement, along with a willingness to drive a mobile unit when needed, reflecting the outreach nature of PHC services.

The duties are broad and patient-centred. The nurse will treat patients at the primary health care level for curative services, including notifiable diseases, mental health conditions, and chronic diseases. This involves providing direction and supervision to ensure the implementation of quality, comprehensive nursing care within the PHC framework. The role also requires maintaining ethical practice within legal and regulatory boundaries, building constructive working relationships with all stakeholders in the PHC team, and using human, material, and physical resources efficiently and effectively. Participation in training programmes and research activities is expected, as is maintaining workplace discipline among subordinates.

Candidates should possess knowledge of relevant legislation and policy governing nursing in the public sector, along with basic computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook. These digital skills are necessary for communicating, capturing patient information, checking results, recording data, and tracking referrals across electronic health systems. The ability to promote quality patient care by implementing protocols, guidelines, and standards is essential.

Importantly, this post is advertised with a concession: applicants who do not yet hold the required SANC registration may still apply, provided they submit proof of their first-time application for registration and payment of the prescribed fees on or before the day of the interview. Shortlisted candidates should also expect to undergo a practical or written assessment as well as an oral assessment. No payment of any kind is required to apply for this vacancy. Queries can be directed to the contact person listed in the circular.