Unit Manager – Hospital Theatre Department

About the role

The Unit Manager will coordinate improved quality nursing care, ensure compliance with professional and ethical standards, and lead the training, development and mentoring of staff within the theatre department. The role also integrates people, technology and finance to maintain unit costs within budget.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate improved quality nursing care and ensure compliance with professional and ethical standards.
• Lead training, development and mentoring of unit staff.
• Manage unit operations, integrating people, technology and finance to keep costs within budget.
• Supervise drug control in line with the Pharmacy Act and maintain emergency stock levels.
• Monitor staff attendance, create duty rosters and ensure appropriate nurse‑patient ratios.
• Promote good relationships with management, patients, doctors and other departments.
• Implement and audit Infection Prevention & Control programmes and address non‑compliance.
• Investigate incidents, maintain incident reporting systems and update the department risk register.

Required profile

• Grade 12 or equivalent NQF level 4 qualification.
• Relevant nursing qualification (Diploma in General Nursing or B Cur Degree) and registration with the South African Nursing Council.
• Post‑basic theatre operating qualification (essential) and post‑basic management qualification (advantage).
• Minimum five years of experience in a hospital environment, with clinical leadership and theatre experience.

Required skills

• Computer literacy.
• Ability to interpret financial data and sound financial knowledge.
• Report writing.
• Analytical thinking.