Function
Nursing
Facility
Life Poortview
Position
Unit Manager x 2 | Mental Health
Introduction

A vacancy exists for a Unit Manager for the Mental Health Unit based at Life Poortview Hospital. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and coordinating clinical practice and resources within the unit to achieve the company and hospital objectives of quality, growth and people.

Critical Outputs

• Effective clinical leadership with the ability to motivate and engage employees towards achieving unit and hospital objectives.
• Demonstrates visible leadership in respect of Life Healthcare's values, operating model, Nursing strategy and the professional image of Nursing.
• Actively sponsors LHC initiatives and projects to ensure continued and improved productivity.
• Lead the implementation of person-centred nursing care and coordinate multidisciplinary interventions to achieve optimal clinical outcomes.
• Drive and manage all people-related processes within the unit, including performance management, employee engagement, talent development and succession planning.
• Function as a clinical expert in achieving patient outcomes.
• Ensure the competence of employees by establishing and maintaining a learning environment, facilitating professional development, driving effective professional socialisation and acting as a mentor within the Mental Health Unit.
• Ensure that all staff are trained in the use, management and care of equipment.
• Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication and provide timely feedback to all stakeholders.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders through ongoing communication.
• Promote customer satisfaction within the unit by addressing complaints, conducting quality care rounds and clinical audits, monitoring standards of care and implementing improvement initiatives.
• Implement Life Healthcare quality and patient safety initiatives, with a focus on improved clinical outcomes, and report accordingly.
• Effectively manage financial resources, including stock, consumables and equipment.
• Identify clinical, patient safety and business risks and trends; ensure 100% incident reporting through the approved reporting systems and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Initiate and drive unit-specific best operating practices, participate in research and evidence-based practice initiatives, and facilitate knowledge sharing across the division.
• Participate in marketing and doctor relationship management initiatives.
• Participate in business planning and budgeting processes and manage nursing costs within approved budgets.
• Manage stock utilisation and drive product management processes within the unit.
• Ensure employees are trained in the operation of all equipment within the unit and, together with relevant stakeholders, ensure equipment is maintained and available to provide a safe patient environment.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders (i.e. HODs, enabling functions, patients, families, funders and service providers) through ongoing communication and feedback.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with doctors by promoting professional collaboration, effective communication regarding patient outcomes, functioning as an advocate for LHC and communicating the impact of industry challenges on the Nursing profession.
• Ensure compliance with Mental Health Care Act requirements, hospital policies, clinical governance standards and relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Promote a therapeutic environment that supports recovery, patient dignity, family involvement and patient-centred care.

Requirements

• A Degree or Diploma in Nursing Science with Psychiatric Nursing qualification is essential.
• A post-basic qualification in Psychiatric Nursing and/or Health Management will be advantageous.
• At least 3-5 years' relevant nursing management or leadership experience within a Mental Health environment will be advantageous.
• Current registration with SANC.
• Proven leadership and people management skills are essential.
• Basic understanding of labour legislation, financial and supply chain management principles.
• Understanding of the private healthcare industry, its challenges and role players.
• Computer proficiency.
• Driver's licence and ability to travel.

Competencies

• Proven leadership and people management skills.
• Financial and business acumen.
• Strategic thinking and decision-making.
• Problem solving, analysis and judgement.
• Resilience and adaptability.
• Excellence orientation.
• Ethical behaviour and integrity.
• Organisational awareness.
• Verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Building relationships and networking.
• Customer responsiveness.
• Engaging diversity and inclusion.
• Influencing and negotiation skills.
• Conflict management.
• Motivating and developing people.
• Coaching and mentoring.
• Leading by example.
• Energy and action orientation.

Closing date
Friday, August 21, 2026

Internal applicants - Before making an application, you are requested to discuss your application with your line manager. External candidates will also be considered.

Life Healthcare is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Thank you for your interest in this opportunity. Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applicants who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date of this advert, should consider their application as unsuccessful.