PROFESSIONAL NURSE GRADE 1 TO 3 (GENERAL: PRIMARY HEALTH CARE) Garden Route District

This vacancy is for a Professional Nurse Grade 1 to 3 specialising in general Primary Health Care, based at Riversdale Clinic in the Hessequa Sub-district of the Garden Route District, within the Western Cape Department of Health. The role is central to delivering accessible, quality nursing services to the local community, and operates within a broader ecosystem of health facilities. Appointment is available at any of the three advertised grades, depending on the candidate’s years of relevant experience, and the position is graded according to the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for nursing professionals.

Candidates must hold the minimum educational qualification required for professional nurse registration: either the basic R425 diploma or degree in nursing, or an equivalent qualification (such as R683 plus R254) that permits registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Professional Nurse. Alternatively, a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing (R174) or an equivalent combination (R683 plus R1497 or R171 plus R1497) also satisfies the entry requirement. Registration with the SANC is mandatory. For those who do not yet have this registration, there is a concession: health professionals applying for the first time in a specific category may still apply, provided 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.

The experience requirements vary by grade. Grade 1 is suitable for newly qualified professionals with no prior nursing experience after registration. Grade 2 requires a minimum of ten years of appropriate and recognisable nursing experience after registration with the SANC in General Nursing. Grade 3 requires at least twenty years of such experience. Inherent to the job is a willingness to work overtime when necessary, and a valid driver’s licence with the willingness to drive a mobile clinic vehicle, as services may be delivered in community settings.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide direction and supervision for the implementation of quality, comprehensive nursing care within the Primary Health Care context. Key duties include maintaining ethical practice within legal and regulatory frameworks, fostering constructive working relationships with all members of the Primary Health Care team, and using human, material and physical resources efficiently and effectively. The nurse will also participate in training programmes and research activities, and will be responsible for maintaining workplace discipline among subordinates. To perform well, applicants need strong planning and organisational skills, self-discipline and motivation, the ability to function independently under pressure, and good communication skills.

No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post. It is important to note that advertised posts are linked to the institution or facility that forms part of the Ecosystem Service platform, and upon appointment, incumbents must be prepared to render clinical services across different institutions within that ecosystem as needed to sustain health service delivery. This is an excellent opportunity for dedicated nursing professionals seeking a challenging and rewarding career in primary health care within a supportive district health system.