Johannesburg: Head Nurse

About the Role

The Head Nurse plays a critical leadership role in delivering high-quality patient care and ensuring effective daily clinical operations within our dialysis clinic. This position requires strong nursing expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to foster a culture of teamwork, compassion, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Nurse Supervisor to provide guidance, feedback, and counselling to nursing staff.
• Assist with staff scheduling to ensure optimal coverage and continuity of safe patient care.
• Ensure adequate staffing levels and safe patient coverage in consultation with the Nurse Supervisor.
• Promote open, effective, and participative communication among staff.
• Maintain flexibility to support staff needs and changing operational requirements.
• Assist with the orientation and probationary evaluation of new employees.
• Evaluate new dialysis nurses upon completion of their probation period in coordination with the Preceptor Nurse and Nurse Supervisor.
• Provide input regarding staff learning, competency, and professional development needs.

• Advise and guide clinical staff on policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Keep the Nurse Supervisor informed of operational challenges, staff concerns, and patient-related issues.
• Supervise and evaluate nursing and patient care practices through regular patient rounds and quality assurance activities.
• Facilitate effective multidisciplinary collaboration with medical and non-medical teams to ensure coordinated patient care.
• Participate in patient and family education initiatives.
• Ensure completion and follow-up of audit action plans in collaboration with the Clinical Specialist.
• Support staff competency development, orientation processes, and emergency preparedness.

• Monitor and maintain clinic safety, cleanliness, and security standards.
• Regularly assess equipment functionality and supply utilization, ensuring timely replacement and readiness.
• Assist in preparing monthly reports related to clinic goals, performance indicators, achievements, and challenges.
• Recommend improvements to enhance patient care quality, operational efficiency, and staff satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with quality assurance standards, clinical protocols, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate cultural and religious sensitivity in all patient and family interactions.

• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills using appropriate medical terminology.
• Foster positive, respectful, and collaborative working relationships.
• Take responsibility for continuous professional development and lifelong learning.

Requirements

• Education:
• Non-Saudis: Registered Nurse (RN) with a Bachelor’s Degree or High Diploma in Nursing.
• Saudis: Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing or a two (2)-year Associate Degree/Diploma in Nursing.
• Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of dialysis nursing experience. Minimum of two (2) years of experience as a Head Nurse Assistant or equivalent role.
• Licensure and Certifications:
• Current Registered Nurse licensure from the country of origin.
• Registration with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS) – required.
• Valid BLS certification (Saudi or American Heart Association); ACLS certification preferred.
• Successful completion of a haemodialysis training program is an advantage.
• Must pass a colour vision test.

Qualifications

No qualifications mentioned in the original job description.