Job Description

Perform all duties in accordance with South African Nursing Council (SANC), Department of Health (DOH) and National Core Standards



Adhere to the principles and standards of Patient Advocacy according to SANC Acts and Omissions, Company Code of Conduct, Patient Rights and Responsibilities Charter, National Millennium Development goals and responsibility of Continuous Professional Development (CPD)



Supervise, organise, lead and control work for self and team to ensure efficient completion of tasks



Devise a working knowledge of, and understand the Nursing Strategy, in order to contribute towards unit goals



Lead the continuity of care through an accurate, comprehensive handover to related units like operating theatre and diagnostics



Plan daily tasks for the Enrolled nurses, Ward Clerks and Enrolled Auxiliary Nurses to ensure an efficient and effective service delivery in area of accountability



Assure quality of care by adhering to therapeutic standards, measuring health outcomes against patient care goals and standards, and making recommendations according to the hospital's requirements of best and safe practices and unit specific protocols and procedures



Actively participate in internal and external auditing processes, for example DOH, National Core Standards, SHERQ, SANC and Risk Audits



Document patient care services by accurately charting inpatient and department records including updating care plans as patient needs changes



Maintain accurate files and records of patient medication, incidents and complaints and steps taken to resolve patient problems or prevent incidents from recurring



Conduct structured ward rounds including accompanying Doctors and other Medical Practitioners for creating and evaluating customised care plans including implementing Doctors instructions and prescriptions



Monitor activities of nurses to ensure compliance with protocols, security, safety of patient environment, Group Nursing policies and procedures, SANC requirements and act on findings through regular unit rounds



Drive the reduction in healthcare associated infections



Participate actively during resuscitation, where necessary



Provide guidance and advice, whilst applying good clinical judgment, to other Nursing staff working in the critical care setting and regarding the safe and effective use of critical care technologies (i.e. monitoring and supporting critically ill patients and diagnostic and therapeutic techniques)



Provide first line assessment at the bedside with regards to aspects of medical technology including ventilators, renal replacement therapy equipment, physiological measurement monitors and the like



Manage satellite laboratories and point-of-care testing in areas such as blood gases, oximetry, electrolytes, metabolites and haematology including coagulation profiles



Manage and support the introduction of new critical care technologies into the unit



Demonstrate sensitivity to medico-legal risks related to monitoring and therapeutic interventions in ICU and consciously avoids them or reports them accordingly



Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to develop early warning systems to enable nurses outside ICU to implement Preventive Critical Care



Diploma in General Nursing



2 - 5 years' experience in ICU



BLS qualification is advantageous



Updated PALS/ATLS/ACLS advantageous



Current registration as a Registered Nurse with the South African Nursing Council



Between 3 - 5 Years