Community Health Worker

To monitor and record patients' vital signs and provide health education and counselling to patients and families, an established business in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal is seeking a Community Health Worker.

The setting is busy but well-organised, with a focus on getting the job done properly. Honesty, reliability, and common sense go a long way in this team. The company supports further study and professional development where relevant. Take the next step in your career and apply before the closing date.

Normal working hours apply, with occasional flexibility required during busy periods.

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.
• 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.
• 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.

Infection Control & Safety Compliance

• 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.
• 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.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact compassionately with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
• For specialist roles, a postgraduate certificate in the relevant speciality such as critical care, paediatrics, or mental health.
• A minimum of two to three years of nursing experience in a hospital, clinic, or community setting relevant to the role.
• A recognised nursing qualification: a degree or diploma for registered nurse positions, or an enrolled nursing certificate.
• Basic life support or advanced cardiac life support certification as required for the clinical area.