Registered Nurse – General Wards – Hospital – Nelspruit NEW

About the Job:

The Registered Nurse is responsible for providing compassionate, skilled and high-quality nursing care to patients, supporting patient well-being, promoting health education and ensuring the delivery of safe and effective care within the healthcare setting. The role involves assessing patients’ needs, developing, implementing and evaluating appropriate programmes of care, and promoting quality patient care in accordance with best practice standards, hospital policies and professional nursing regulations

The Registered Nurse performs the primary functions of nursing by assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the care of all assigned patients within the unit and within their scope of practice, as defined by Regulation R2529 of 1984, as amended. The role focuses on improving patient outcomes and quality of life, enhancing patient satisfaction, maintaining patient safety, reducing clinical risks and ensuring continuity of care

The position requires strong clinical competence, sound judgement and decision-making, effective communication, emotional intelligence, attention to detail and the ability to work collaboratively with the healthcare team. The Registered Nurse must demonstrate thought leadership, results-driven performance, people leadership and personal accountability while maintaining high ethical standards, adaptability and a patient-centred approach to care

Performance is measured through patient satisfaction, adherence to care plans and clinical protocols, patient safety incidents, clinical competency assessments, the accuracy and completeness of clinical documentation, interdisciplinary communication, teamwork, workload management, productivity, continuing professional development and patient outcomes, including wound healing, medication adherence and functional status

Requirements:

• A relevant nursing qualification, such as a Diploma in Nursing, B Cur Degree or an equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification
• Minimum of one year’s extensive experience in private healthcare will be advantageous
• Compliance with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) Code of Conduct and all applicable healthcare legislation
• Maintain annual SANC registration and remain knowledgeable about the governing body of the nursing profession, its aims and objectives, and the regulations governing nursing scope of practice and professional misconduct
• Mental and physical health sufficient to meet the demands of the position
• Sound knowledge of general nursing theory and practice, modern nursing care principles and practices, clinical procedures and patient care standards
• Ability to implement and maintain appropriate nursing standards and deliver care in accordance with best practices, hospital policies and procedures
• Ability to assess patient needs, exercise sound clinical judgement, make effective decisions and implement appropriate nursing interventions
• Strong attention to detail, organisational and planning skills, and the ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation
• Emotional intelligence and the ability to understand people, recognise their care needs, and respond with compassion, empathy and sensitivity
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, doctors, the Unit Manager and other healthcare professionals while maintaining patient confidentiality
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships, build trust, promote cooperation and contribute positively to the healthcare team
• Ability to manage competing demands, prioritise tasks, maintain stable performance under pressure and adapt to changing patient needs and staffing levels
• Strong problem-solving skills, personal accountability, initiative and the ability to resolve challenges while maintaining professional standards
• Ability to demonstrate thought leadership by gathering and evaluating information from different sources, aligning work with organisational priorities and making informed decisions using sound judgement
• Results-driven approach, with the ability to meet or exceed goals, identify opportunities for improvement, take informed risks and maintain a patient-centred focus on execution and outcomes
• People leadership skills, including the ability to motivate others, strengthen teamwork, build cooperation and trust, influence positively and contribute to the development of colleagues and teams
• Personal leadership skills, including a positive outlook, resilience, adaptability, integrity, ethical conduct, fairness, respect and responsibility
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, continuing education, clinical competency improvement, self-reflection, performance evaluation and quality improvement initiatives

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Patient Assessment, Planning and Monitoring

• Assess patients’ needs and provide comprehensive nursing care to support the management of acute and chronic health conditions, improve patient outcomes and enhance quality of life
• Assess patients’ basic needs, including hygiene, physical comfort, exercise, rest and sleep, early ambulation, feeding and elimination
• Assess patient admissions performed by enrolled nurses and auxiliary nurses
• Monitor patients’ conditions and progress, including intake and output, nutritional status, elimination and intravenous infusions
• Ensure that intake and output charts are kept up to date and that all patient observations and results are accurately recorded
• Develop, implement and evaluate appropriate nursing care plans and ensure that planned care is carried out effectively
• Prepare patients for diagnostic and nursing procedures and provide appropriate assistance during these procedures
• Promote and maintain patients’ nutritional status, physical comfort, mobility, rest and overall well-being
• Provide health education and support patients in managing their health conditions and understanding their care
• Ensure that patient care is individualised, appropriate to each patient’s needs and delivered within the Registered Nurse’s scope of practice

2. Implementation of Nursing Care and Clinical Procedures

• Administer oral, intramuscular and intravenous medications in accordance with prescribed treatment, hospital procedures and professional standards
• Manage and monitor intravenous lines and infusions, ensuring that they are checked appropriately
• Attend to wound care, promote wound healing and prevent infection and other complications
• Prepare patients for theatre, receive patients returning from theatre and provide immediate post-operative care
• Assist with patient admissions and discharges, ensuring appropriate preparation, care and documentation
• Assist with doctors’ rounds and diagnostic procedures as required
• Assist with baby bathing where applicable
• Provide general patient care and assist patients with activities of daily living, including personal hygiene, feeding, elimination, mobility and comfort
• Ensure that all nursing procedures are performed according to hospital standards, clinical protocols and established best practices
• Carry out all nursing interventions safely, effectively and within the limits of professional competence, skills and training

3. Patient Satisfaction and Patient-Centred Care

• Promote patients’ overall health and well-being through compassionate, empathetic and patient-centred nursing care
• Communicate effectively with patients regarding their care, treatment and needs while maintaining confidentiality at all times
• Address patients’ needs, concerns and preferences with sensitivity, respect and professionalism
• Build rapport and establish trust with patients and their families, creating a positive, supportive and therapeutic healthcare environment
• Promote patient satisfaction by ensuring that patients receive responsive, respectful and competent care, including during staffing transitions or challenging circumstances
• Contribute to positive patient experiences by maintaining high standards of communication, responsiveness, empathy and clinical care
• Support patient satisfaction and confidence in the healthcare organisation through consistent, high-quality nursing services

4. Infection Prevention, Patient Safety and Risk Reduction

• Practise the principles of infection prevention and adhere to all standard precautions
• Ensure that all procedures are performed in accordance with hospital standards, infection prevention guidelines and applicable safety protocols
• Monitor patients vigilantly and promptly identify and report changes in patient conditions, medication errors, safety hazards and other potential risks
• Contribute to the prevention of adverse events, medical errors and healthcare-associated infections through attention to detail and adherence to established protocols
• Maintain a safe and secure environment for patients, staff and visitors
• Practise within the scope of practice, skills, competence and level of training applicable to a Registered Nurse
• Identify and prevent potential risks wherever possible and report unsafe conditions promptly
• Maintain a safe working environment in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and applicable hospital policies
• Ensure that the patient environment remains therapeutic, clean, safe and free from potential medico-legal hazards

5. Care Coordination, Communication and Collaboration

• Work closely with the Unit Manager, physicians and other healthcare professionals to develop and implement individualised care plans tailored to patients’ needs and treatment goals
• Establish and maintain effective, cooperative and mutually beneficial working relationships with colleagues and other members of the healthcare team
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case conferences and care coordination activities to promote effective communication, continuity of care and efficient use of resources
• Collaborate with enrolled nurses, auxiliary nurses, nursing assistants, Basic Ambulance Assistants and other healthcare workers to ensure that appropriate nursing standards and best practices are followed
• Supervise nursing assistants, Basic Ambulance Assistants and other healthcare workers to promote compliance with nursing standards and procedures
• Refer all complaints received from patients and doctors to the Unit Manager
• Communicate relevant patient information accurately and timeously to support effective clinical decision-making and continuity of care

6. Equipment, Supplies and Stock Control

• Maintain appropriate control and management of medical supplies, equipment and stock
• Record all surgical stock items used on patients’ billing sheets accurately
• Prevent wastage and assist in preventing theft through responsible management and monitoring of supplies
• Ensure the correct use, care and cleaning of equipment in accordance with prescribed procedures
• Report equipment requiring repair or replacement to the Unit Manager
• Ensure that stock control processes are followed and that supplies and equipment are managed responsibly and efficiently
• Maintain appropriate organisation of patient files and documentation, ensuring that records are complete, accurate and readily available when required

7. Documentation, Administration and Care Planning

• Ensure that all patient documentation is completed accurately, comprehensively and timeously, reflecting the care provided and the patient’s condition
• Maintain accurate clinical records, including nursing assessments, patient observations, medication administration, intake and output charts, treatment and progress
• Ensure that patient files are compiled and maintained appropriately and that all relevant information is documented in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory requirements
• Keep organisational and planning processes up to date to support effective nursing care and unit operations
• Ensure that the nursing care plan is executed as planned and that the effectiveness of care is monitored and evaluated
• Maintain accurate records to support clinical audits, competency assessments, quality improvement initiatives and compliance with professional standards
• Ensure that medical waste and all other waste are managed in accordance with applicable waste management principles and hospital procedures
• Maintain professional conduct and adhere to hospital policies, procedures and documentation requirements at all times

8. Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

• Attend training and participate in practice exercises to remain up to date with hospital evacuation procedures and disaster management plans
• Understand and follow applicable emergency procedures and hospital protocols
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations within the limits of professional competence and training
• Contribute to maintaining a safe environment and reducing risks to patients, staff and visitors

9. Medical-Legal Compliance and Professional Conduct

• Practise in accordance with applicable healthcare legislation, SANC requirements, the professional scope of practice and hospital policies and procedures
• Maintain patient confidentiality and protect patient information at all times
• Uphold professional ethics, integrity, fairness and respect in all interactions with patients, families, colleagues and other healthcare professionals
• Ensure that all clinical procedures and nursing interventions comply with legal, professional and organisational requirements
• Identify, prevent and report unsafe practices, conditions and potential medico-legal risks
• Take responsibility for personal conduct, clinical decisions and actions within the scope of professional practice

10. Professional Growth, Development and Quality Improvement

• Maintain annual SANC registration and comply with all professional registration requirements
• Participate in continuing education, skills training, workshops, seminars, online courses and other professional development activities to maintain and enhance nursing knowledge and clinical competence
• Engage in self-reflection, seek feedback and participate in performance evaluations to identify areas for improvement
• Set personal and professional development goals and work towards continuous improvement in nursing practice
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving patient care, safety, clinical outcomes and service delivery
• Maintain and improve clinical competency through ongoing assessments, training and adherence to current nursing practices
• Contribute to organisational improvement by identifying opportunities to strengthen patient care, operational efficiency and teamwork

11. Performance and Expected Outcomes

• Maintain and improve patient care quality by ensuring patient satisfaction, effective communication, responsiveness, empathy and adherence to care plans and clinical protocols
• Demonstrate clinical competence through effective nursing interventions, sound clinical judgement and compliance with professional standards
• Maintain accurate and complete clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory requirements and best practices
• Promote effective interdisciplinary communication and collaboration with enrolled nurses, physicians and allied health professionals
• Contribute positively to teamwork and demonstrate a willingness to collaborate with colleagues and supervisors
• Manage workload effectively, prioritise tasks appropriately and adapt to changing patient needs and staffing levels
• Deliver patient care efficiently while meeting organisational requirements and expected productivity standards
• Participate in continuing education and professional development activities to maintain and enhance nursing knowledge and skills
• Contribute to positive clinical outcomes, including wound healing, medication adherence, patient recovery and functional status
• Demonstrate initiative, sound decision-making, accountability and a commitment to achieving organisational and patient care objectives
• Identify opportunities to improve patient care, strengthen team performance and enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery

Should you meet the above requirements, we urge you to apply by forwarding your CV along with any supporting documents to tracy@glass-house.co.za