Registered Nurse - General Wards - Hospital - Nelspruit

Introduction

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

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