Staff Nurse Grade 1 to 3 (Permanent position)

This permanent Staff Nurse position is based at Riversdale Hospital in the Garden Route District and offers an opportunity for qualified nursing professionals to join the Western Cape Department of Health’s broader health ecosystem. The post is advertised at three levels — Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 — allowing applicants with different levels of experience to be considered. As part of the department’s Ecosystem Service platform, the successful candidate should be prepared to render clinical services across institutions within the ecosystem as needed, ensuring continuity and sustainability of health service delivery in the region. This means that while the primary workplace is Riversdale Hospital, flexibility to assist at other facilities in the network may be required from time to time.

To be eligible, applicants must hold a qualification that permits registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Staff Nurse, and they must be registered with the SANC in that category. The experience requirements vary by grade: Grade 1 requires no prior nursing experience after registration, while Grade 2 requires a minimum of ten years of appropriate and recognisable nursing experience, and Grade 3 requires at least twenty years of such experience. Importantly, candidates who do not yet have the stipulated registration may still apply under a special concession, provided they submit proof of application for registration to the relevant council and proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees on or before the day of the interview. This concession is limited to health professionals applying for the first time for registration in a specific category, including those who need to change their registration status.

The core duties of the role involve developing and implementing basic patient care plans, delivering basic clinical nursing care, and ensuring the effective utilisation of physical and financial resources within the ward or unit. The nurse will also be expected to maintain professional growth and ethical standards, engage in continuous self-development, and take proactive actions to improve the quality of nursing care. Participation in infection prevention and control activities is a key responsibility, reflecting the department’s commitment to patient safety and public health standards. The role requires strong communication and interpersonal relationships, self-discipline, motivation, and the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team across various service platforms.

Candidates must be willing to work shifts, including night duty, weekends, public holidays, and overtime, and to assist in other wards within the hospital when the need arises. A practical assessment will form part of the selection process. No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post, and the position offers the standard public service benefits associated with a permanent appointment, including a 13th cheque, pension fund contributions, and allowances for housing and medical aid. The remuneration is aligned to the applicable government salary scales for the relevant grade. This is a demanding but rewarding role for nurses who are committed to serving the community in a dynamic healthcare environment.