Registered Nurse

A frail care facility in Polokwane, Limpopo requires a Registered Nurse for nursing care to elderly and recuperating patients. Duties include administering medications, wound care, monitoring for changes in condition, assisting with daily living activities, and providing emotional support. Patience, empathy, and geriatric nursing experience are essential.

Responsibilities Patient Care & Clinical Practice Provide wound care management including comprehensive assessment and documentation of wound characteristics, aseptic technique dressing changes, wound irrigation, compression bandaging where indicated, and objective evaluation of healing progress against expected outcomes. Conduct comprehensive patient assessments on admission and at regular intervals throughout each shift by taking vital signs, evaluating physical and psychological status, and identifying actual and potential nursing care needs for every patient under your care. Develop, implement, and evaluate individualised nursing care plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, setting measurable and realistic goals, prioritising interventions, and updating plans as the patient's condition changes or progresses through treatment. Medication & Treatment Administration 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. 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. 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. 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. Infection Control & Safety Compliance 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. 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. 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. 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.

Requirements Physical stamina and emotional resilience to cope with the demands of hands-on nursing care in a busy clinical environment. Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact compassionately with patients, families, and the healthcare team. Current registration with the South African Nursing Council and proof of good standing with no pending disciplinary actions. 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. Excellent clinical assessment and observation skills to detect subtle changes in a patient's condition. Basic life support or advanced cardiac life support certification as required for the clinical area.

Qualifications Certificate in Enrolled Nursing with SANC Registration