Senior Officer: Primary Health Care (P9) at Sol Plaatje University

We seek to fill the position of an Officer: Primary Health Care. The main purpose of this position is to provide students with clinical, educational and advocacy interventions appropriate to the scope of a Professional Health Care Nurse within a student-centred and professional multidisciplinary primary health care service.

Position Specification    

Professional knowledge and skill

Analytical thinking/problem-solving

Building interpersonal relationships

Client/student service and support

Communication skills

Planning and organising/work management

Teamwork/collaboration

University awareness

Result Orientated

Minimum Requirements    
Minimum Qualifications

•   Degree/Diploma in Nursing Science (General, Psychiatric, Community) and Midwifery
•  Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment,
•  Treatment and Care (Primary Health Care)
•  Dispensing Course - dispensing of medicines in line with the Essential Medicine List
•  Dispensing license (apply within 1 month after assuming duty)
•  Current SANC registration Qualified and Registered Nurse
•  Willingness to work outside normal working hours

Minimum Experience:

• 5 years related experience in Primary Health Care
• Computer literate

Recommendations    
Experience in Knowledge with the following focus:

• Knowledge of labour Issues
• Managerial experience within healthcare and public health
• Advanced knowledge of policy development, research, evaluation and monitoring particularly within institutions of higher learning and training in line with governmental health policies
• Knowledge of South African Nursing Council Policies
• Dispensing license
• Computer literacy

General Competencies include:

• Business Acumen
• Results Orientated
• Strategic Thinking and Agility
• Leading (Leadership Capabilities)
• Building Coalitions with both internal and external stakeholders

Duties & Responsibilities    
Health and wellness

• Conduct individual consultations with students which include history-taking, physical examination assessment, diagnosis, treatment, care management and follow up
• Prescribe medications (up to schedule 4) including contraceptive medications & antibiotics for STI’s
• Take specimens for and order specific diagnostic tests – including bloods, X-rays), ultrasound, urine, pregnancy, CD4, HIV Antibody, stool, swabs, VDRL etc.
• Monitor student patients including HIV positive patients with opportunistic conditions and participate in/support the ‘DOTS’ system for TB patients
• Refer student patients for specialised care or investigation – to other internal and/or external health professionals and facilities externally
• Perform minor clinical procedures including pap smears, ear syringing, taking of blood and other specimens, giving injections, dressings, suturing etc.
• Perform a range of clinical tasks including sterilization of instruments and dressing packs, ensuring a sterile and hygienic environment in the consulting and treatment rooms during and after use
• Counsel student patients including pre and post-termination of pregnancy, HIV VCT counselling, relationships, sexual activities, diet/wellness, rape, women’s and men’s health issues
• Contain health care emergencies as they arise, including trauma, asthma attacks, assault, rape, sexual abuse, panic attacks, psychotic presentations, acute anxiety disorders, para-suicides Student wellness

Student Wellness

• Assist and refer appropriately students who have difficulties with, e.g. academic performance, housing, nutrition, food/catering, finances, legal aid, health & safety on campus, etc.
• Provide feedback to management on systemic issues and problems negatively affecting students’ mental health/wellness

Education and training

• Educate students during Individual consultations
• Co-ordinate and participate in workshops, talks and wellness expositions with students across the university including residences
• Prepare and distribute educational materials including posters, pamphlets etc.
• Conduct/ deliver talks to parents, relevant staff, SPU Radio etc.

Administration

• Assist in intake / sorting - triage duties in the reception area [this includes triaging new patients, dealing with emergencies, making referrals, dealing with ‘level 2‘ queries]
• Assist with the running of the dispensary as necessary
• Assist in the ordering of medications, state-provided supplies (STI’s, contraceptives etc.), medical consumables
• Efficient management of documents, files while maintaining confidentiality.

Project management

• Co-ordinate and/or participate in clinical care protocols for specific health problems/issues

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Prepare and maintain all treatment records [e.g., referrals, consultation notes] on student client file and on the management information system
• Obtain feedback from student patients both on an individual basis and through questionnaires, suggestion-box etc.
• Record and submit monthly statistics to management and where necessary to the Department of Health
• Co-ordinate and/or participate in evaluation/surveys and lessons for service planning