Community Health Worker

Hands-on from day one, the Community Health Worker will administer prescribed medications via oral, implement infection prevention and control measures and maintain accurate, complete, and legible nursing records and care plans for an organisation in Bellville, Western Cape.

The workplace values doing things properly over cutting corners. Hard work and reliability are noticed and rewarded with real advancement. Respect, reliability, and a positive attitude define the workplace. Apply now to be considered for this rewarding opportunity.

Medication & Treatment Administration

• Administer prescribed medications via oral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and topical routes strictly observing the five rights of medication administration and documenting each dose in the medication administration record immediately after the patient receives it.
• Monitor patients for therapeutic effects, adverse drug reactions, and potential drug interactions following medication administration, reporting any unexpected or concerning responses to the prescribing doctor immediately and documenting all observations in the patient's clinical record.
• Prepare, check, and administer intravenous infusions including calculating drip rates accurately, monitoring infusion sites for signs of phlebitis or extravasation, and titrating IV medications according to prescribed parameters while closely monitoring patient haemodynamic response.
• Manage the medicine room and controlled drug cupboard by maintaining accurate stock counts, checking expiry dates proactively, ordering replacement stock, and completing the controlled drug register with a witness signature at each shift handover to ensure accountability.

Patient Care & Clinical Practice

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments on admission and at regular intervals throughout each shift by taking vital signs, evaluating physical and psychological status, and identifying actual and potential nursing care needs for every patient under your care.
• Provide wound care management including comprehensive assessment and documentation of wound characteristics, aseptic technique dressing changes, wound irrigation, compression bandaging where indicated, and objective evaluation of healing progress against expected outcomes.
• Monitor and accurately record patients' vital signs, fluid balance, pain levels, and clinical observations in nursing notes and observation charts, identifying early warning signs of clinical deterioration and escalating concerns to the treating doctor without delay.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualised nursing care plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, setting measurable and realistic goals, prioritising interventions, and updating plans as the patient's condition changes or progresses through treatment.

Infection Control & Safety Compliance

• Maintain a safe patient care environment by reporting any safety hazards or equipment malfunctions immediately, completing incident reports for any adverse events or near misses thoroughly, and participating actively in regular health and safety committee meetings.
• Implement and maintain strict infection prevention and control protocols including hand hygiene using the five moments framework, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and adherence to isolation and transmission-based precautions for patients with communicable conditions.

• Excellent clinical assessment and observation skills to detect subtle changes in a patient's condition.
• Thorough knowledge of nursing theory, clinical procedures, infection control, and the ethical and legal framework of nursing.
• A recognised nursing qualification: a degree or diploma for registered nurse positions, or an enrolled nursing certificate.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact compassionately with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
• Physical stamina and emotional resilience to cope with the demands of hands-on nursing care in a busy clinical environment.
• Basic life support or advanced cardiac life support certification as required for the clinical area.
• For specialist roles, a postgraduate certificate in the relevant speciality such as critical care, paediatrics, or mental health.