Unit Manager | ICU

Function

Nursing

Facility

Life Beacon Bay Hospital

Position

Unit Manager | ICU

Introduction

A vacancy exists for a Unit Manager based at Life Beacon Bay Hospital reporting to Heather Purdon ,Nursing Manager. The successful candidate will manage and co-ordinate evidence based clinical practices and resources efficiently by engaging and empowering staff within the unit to achieve the Company’s strategic objectives of Growth, Efficiency, Quality and Sustainability.

Critical Outputs

Clinical Operations and Patient Outcomes: 

• Lead the delivery of safe, high-quality, evidence-based critical care services within the ICU.
• Drive positive patient outcomes, patient experience, and patient safety through effective clinical leadership.
• Ensure compliance with clinical, regulatory, and professional practice standards applicable to critical care nursing.
• Facilitate effective multidisciplinary team collaboration to optimise patient outcomes and continuity of care.
• Coordinate patient flow, admission, transfer, and discharge processes within the critical care environment.
• Ensure appropriate utilisation of ICU resources to meet patient acuity and service demands.

Quality Improvement and Clinical Excellence:

• Drive compliance with quality, accreditation, governance, and patient safety standards.
• Lead quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving clinical outcomes and preventingadverse events.
• Monitor ICU quality indicators, patient outcomes, infection prevention metrics, audits, and incident trends.
• Implement evidence-based interventions and corrective actions to improve clinical performance.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and evidence-based critical care practice.

Financial and Resource Management: 

• Manage resources effectively to ensure cost-efficient delivery of high-quality critical care services.
• Optimise workforce utilisation, staffing productivity, and operational efficiency within agreed budgetary parameters.
• Monitor and control expenditure relating to consumables, pharmaceuticals, specialised equipment, and ICU resources.
• Ensure effective asset management, maintenance, and utilisation of critical care equipment.
• Support value-based care through responsible resource utilisation and financial stewardship.

People Leadership and Workforce Development:

• Provide visible leadership that promotes clinical excellence, accountability, and compassionate person-centred care.
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing critical care nursing team.
• Drive employee engagement, succession planning, and continuous professional development.
• Foster a positive work environment that promotes teamwork, collaboration, and staff wellbeing.
• Develop workforce capability to meet current and future critical care service requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement and Services Excellence

• Build effective relationships with patients, families, medical practitioners, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to optimise patient outcomes and service delivery.
• Promote the professional image of critical care nursing and the organisation.
• Ensure effective management of patient complaints, compliments, and service recovery processes.
• Support strategic initiatives that enhance service sustainability, growth, and market leadership.

Governance and Risk Management

• Ensure effective governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management within the ICU.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate clinical, operational, financial, and reputational risks.
• Ensure compliance with infection prevention and control standards and patient safety protocols.
• Promote a culture of accountability, ethical practice, and continuous risk awareness.
• Manage adverse events, serious reportable events, and corrective action plans in accordance with organisational policies.

Data, Performance and Operational Excellence

• Monitor and analyse clinical, quality, workforce, operational, and financial performance indicators.
• Utilise data and insights to drive informed decision-making and service improvements.
• Ensure effective use of clinical systems and ICU performance tools.

Requirements

• Diploma/Degree in Nursing with at least 3 years post registration experience and proven leadership and/or people management experience within healthcare (including clinical competence in the area of specialization).
• Postgraduate diploma/degree in Critical Care Nursing
• Qualification in Health Services Management is preferred and highly recommended.
• In the absence of Health Services Management, Midwifery Qualification is essential.
• Post Graduate Education qualification will be an advantage
• Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) will be an advantage.
• Participative and collaborative management style. Capacity to lead, foster and develop a healthy and positive working environment, which actively promotes a joint performance and value, based culture.
• Effective leadership skills including highly developed skills in communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation.
• Updated knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, industrial relations, standards, codes, ethics, and competency standards.
• Current registration with the South African Nursing Council.

Competencies

• Ethical behaviour (honesty)
• Persuading and Influencing
• Building relationships & networking
• Strategic Communication
• Clinical Governance /Clinical Quality Management and Operations Management
• Information and Communication Technology
• Human Resources Management
• Financial Management
• Strategic and Systems Thinking
• Change Management

Email

recruitment.beaconbay@lifehealthcare.co.za

Closing date

Tuesday, November 10, 2026