Operational Manager Specialty (Psychiatry)

About the role

The Department of Health (Eastern Cape) is hiring 2 Operational Manager Specialty (Psychiatry) posts, based in Sarah Baartman District, Fort England Psychiatric Hospital. This is a permanent post, paying R720,819 – R821,454 a year. This post is a re-advertisement. Applicants who have applied before are encouraged to apply again. How to apply: Alternatively, applications can be submitted electronically via email to: Xolelwa.Nazo@echealth.gov.za Reference number to quote: ECHEALTH/OMS-P/ARP/NTSG/FEPH/02/10/2026 Closing date: 06 November 2026 Use the new Z83 form and attach a detailed CV.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective management and professional leadership in the specialized units of Psychiatric.
• Demonstrate effective communication with patients, supervisors, other health professional and junior colleagues including more complex report writing when required Effective management, utilization and supervision of all resources Display a concern for patients, promoting, advocating and facilitating proper treatment and care and ensure that the unit adheres to the principles of Batho Pele Maintain clinical competence by ensuring that scientific principles of nursing and clinical governance are implemented.
• Implement maternal guidelines, demonstrate an in-depth understanding of nursing legislation and related legal and ethical nursing practice.
• Exercise control of discipline, grievance and any labour related issues in terms of laid down procedures.
• Provide supportive supervision and comply with PMDS evaluation of staff, formulate training programs and participate in training and development of staff and nursing students.
• Monitor implementation Disaster management, monitor implementation of NCS and Ideal Hospital Realization Framework and interpret its impact on service delivery thereof.
• Coordinate and participate in health promotion activities and monitor and evaluation of data Demonstrate basic computer literacy as a support tool to enhance service delivery.
• Support Nursing Services Management by working weekend and night duty when required.

Requirements

• Basic R425 qualification (i.e. diploma/degree in nursing) or equivalent qualification that allows Registration with the SANC as a Professional Nurse.
• A post basic nursing qualification, with duration of at least 01 year accredited with the SANC in Psychiatric Nursing Science.
• Registration with the SANC as Professional Nurse.
• At least 9 years appropriate/recognisable experience in nursing after registration as Professional Nurse with the SANC in General Nursing.
• At least 5 years of the period referred to above must be appropriate/recognisable experience in the specific specialty after obtaining the 1-year post-basic qualification in the relevant specialty.
• Knowledge of nursing care processes and procedures, nursing statutes and other relevant legal frameworks such as Nursing Act, Health Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act Patient’s Rights Charter, Batho-Pele Principles.
• Sound knowledge and skills in implementing disciplinary code and procedure, grievance procedure Leadership, organizational, decision making and problem-solving abilities within the limit of the public sector and institutional policy framework.
• Good interpersonal skills including public relations, negotiating, conflict handling and counselling skills.
• Knowledge of financial and budgetary prescripts and processes pertaining to the relevant resources under management Insight into public health sector strategies and priorities including the nursing strategy, standards procedures and policies pertaining to nursing care, computer skills in basic programs.
• A valid driver’s licence.