Primary Healthcare Nurse

We are seeking a hands-on Primary Healthcare Nurse to be based at our Saldanha operation in Western Cape.

You will work alongside an experienced and supportive team in a professional setting. Collaboration, fairness, and pride in the work define the day-to-day culture. If that sounds like you, we would be glad to receive your application.

Responsibilities

Infection Control & Safety Compliance

• Participate in the unit's antimicrobial stewardship programme by collecting specimens for culture and sensitivity before initiating antibiotics, communicating microbiology results to the treating team promptly, and advocating for appropriate and responsible antibiotic use.
• Implement and maintain strict infection prevention and control protocols including hand hygiene using the five moments framework, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and adherence to isolation and transmission-based precautions for patients with communicable conditions.
• Maintain a safe patient care environment by reporting any safety hazards or equipment malfunctions immediately, completing incident reports for any adverse events or near misses thoroughly, and participating actively in regular health and safety committee meetings.
• Ensure all clinical equipment and reusable medical devices are correctly decontaminated, cleaned, and sterilised according to the unit's infection control policy, maintaining sterilisation logs and performing regular biological indicator testing on autoclaves and chemical sterilisation systems.

Medication & Treatment Administration

• Monitor patients for therapeutic effects, adverse drug reactions, and potential drug interactions following medication administration, reporting any unexpected or concerning responses to the prescribing doctor immediately and documenting all observations in the patient's clinical record.
• Manage the medicine room and controlled drug cupboard by maintaining accurate stock counts, checking expiry dates proactively, ordering replacement stock, and completing the controlled drug register with a witness signature at each shift handover to ensure accountability.
• Administer prescribed medications via oral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and topical routes strictly observing the five rights of medication administration and documenting each dose in the medication administration record immediately after the patient receives it.
• Prepare, check, and administer intravenous infusions including calculating drip rates accurately, monitoring infusion sites for signs of phlebitis or extravasation, and titrating IV medications according to prescribed parameters while closely monitoring patient haemodynamic response.

Requirements

• A minimum of two to three years of nursing experience in a hospital, clinic, or community setting relevant to the role.
• Current registration with the South African Nursing Council and proof of good standing with no pending disciplinary actions.
• Excellent clinical assessment and observation skills to detect subtle changes in a patient's condition.
• Thorough knowledge of nursing theory, clinical procedures, infection control, and the ethical and legal framework of nursing.
• A recognised nursing qualification: a degree or diploma for registered nurse positions, or an enrolled nursing certificate.

Qualifications

Diploma in Nursing with SANC Registration as a Registered Nurse