PROFESSIONAL NURSE SPECIALTY- CHILD NURSING SCIENCE REF NO: GS 25/26 Component: Nursing Department- Paediatric Unit

This vacancy is for a Professional Nurse Specialty in Child Nursing Science at Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, based in the Nursing Department’s Paediatric Unit. The post is an OSD-graded nursing position within the public health sector, offering the usual benefits such as a 13th cheque, housing allowance for qualifying employees, and optional medical aid. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading and supporting paediatric nursing services in a busy hospital setting, working within the broader nursing management framework and helping to maintain high standards of care for children and their families.

To be considered, applicants need a Grade 12 certificate and a degree or diploma in General Nursing that allows registration with the South African Nursing Council as a Professional Nurse. In addition, a one-year post-basic or postgraduate qualification in Clinical Nursing Science, specifically Child Nursing Science, is required, along with current SANC registration for 2026. For appointment at Grade 1, a minimum of four years of appropriate experience as a General Nurse after registration is required. For Grade 2, candidates need at least fourteen years of nursing experience after registration, with at least ten of those years in the child nursing specialty after obtaining the post-basic qualification. The role demands sound knowledge of nursing care processes and procedures, relevant legislation such as the Nursing Act, occupational health and safety requirements, the Patients’ Rights Charter, Batho Pele principles, public service regulations, labour relations and disciplinary frameworks, as well as financial and budgetary insight for managing unit resources. Leadership, organisational, decision-making, problem-solving, interpersonal, counselling, conflict handling and basic computer skills are also essential.

The main duties include assisting with the planning, organisation and monitoring of the Paediatric unit’s objectives; providing a therapeutic environment for patients, staff and the public; and ensuring effective communication with patients, families, multidisciplinary team members and other stakeholders. The nurse will be expected to ensure that high-quality nursing care is delivered to all children accessing Grey’s Hospital, and to supervise the efficient and effective use of resources. Other responsibilities include coordinating training and research initiatives aimed at improving paediatric nursing care, instilling discipline, professionalism and work ethics among staff, and ensuring compliance with quality improvement and infection prevention and control programmes such as the Ideal Hospital Realisation and Maintenance framework and Norms and Standards. The post also requires maintaining constructive working relationships with the multidisciplinary team and providing relief support to nursing management within the unit when needed.

Candidates should note that this is a public service appointment with specific application conditions. The initial application requires only the newly prescribed Z83 form and a detailed curriculum vitae; copies of qualifications and other documents are not required at that stage. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo pre-entry assessments, including a practical exercise to test technical and generic suitability and an integrity assessment, with the results used as an additional criterion during the interview process. This is a demanding but rewarding specialty role for a nurse with strong paediatric clinical knowledge and leadership ability, offering the opportunity to shape child nursing services at a major KwaZulu-Natal hospital.