Mental Health Nurse

To respond effectively to medical emergencies by initiating appropriate nursing and maintain accurate, complete, and legible nursing records and care plans, a company in Paarl, Western Cape is seeking a Mental Health Nurse.

The company supports further study and professional development where relevant. You will have the tools, systems, and backing needed to do the job properly. Punctuality, dedication, and a willingness to help others are highly regarded here. Think you are a good fit? Send your CV through and introduce yourself.

The role is based on-site and suits someone living within commuting distance.

Medication & Treatment Administration

• 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.
• 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.

Patient Care & Clinical Practice

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Infection Control & Safety Compliance

• 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.
• 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.
• Participate in the unit's antimicrobial stewardship programme by collecting specimens for culture and sensitivity before initiating antibiotics, communicating microbiology results to the treating team promptly, and advocating for appropriate and responsible antibiotic use.
• Ensure all clinical equipment and reusable medical devices are correctly decontaminated, cleaned, and sterilised according to the unit's infection control policy, maintaining sterilisation logs and performing regular biological indicator testing on autoclaves and chemical sterilisation systems.

• Current registration with the South African Nursing Council and proof of good standing with no pending disciplinary actions.
• Physical stamina and emotional resilience to cope with the demands of hands-on nursing care in a busy clinical environment.
• Excellent clinical assessment and observation skills to detect subtle changes in a patient's condition.
• 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.