Auxiliary Nurse – Durban
Company: Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited
Position: Auxiliary Nurse
Division: Retail / Primary Health Clinic
Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Employment Type: Permanent
Posted: 12 August 2026
Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Industry: FMCG / Healthcare
Functional Area: Healthcare Provider
Minimum Experience: 1–3 years preferred
Remuneration: Market-related
Job Overview
Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited is seeking a professional and compassionate Auxiliary Nurse to join its Primary Health Clinic in Durban. The successful candidate will provide basic nursing care and pre-consultation support to patients while working under the supervision and direction of a Registered Nurse or Professional Nurse.
The role is primarily based in the pre-consultation room, where the Auxiliary Nurse will assist with preparing patients for consultations, recording vital signs, completing patient administration, maintaining accurate healthcare records and supporting efficient patient flow.
The successful candidate must have a strong understanding of basic nursing principles, patient care, infection prevention and control, confidentiality and patient safety. They must also be able to communicate effectively with patients, families, nurses, doctors, reception staff and other healthcare professionals.
This position requires the candidate to work strictly within the legally prescribed scope of practice for an Enrolled Nursing Auxiliary and to follow Dis-Chem’s policies, clinic procedures and applicable healthcare legislation at all times.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Grade 12 / Matric.
- Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing or an equivalent recognised qualification.
- Current registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as an Enrolled Nursing Auxiliary, where applicable.
- 1–3 years’ experience in primary healthcare, outpatient or clinic environments is preferred.
- Computer literacy, particularly MS Office.
- Good English communication skills and the ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English and a second language.
- A sound understanding of basic nursing principles, anatomy and physiology.
- Knowledge of patient care practices, infection prevention and control standards and patient safety protocols.
- Understanding of confidentiality and healthcare record-keeping requirements.
- Willingness and ability to work retail hours.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and meet the physical requirements of the position.
- Clear credit and criminal records.
Duties and Responsibilities
Pre-Consultation Patient Assessment
The Auxiliary Nurse will assist with preparing patients before their consultation by carrying out basic assessments as delegated by the Registered Nurse.
Responsibilities include:
- Receiving patients in a professional, respectful and welcoming manner.
- Confirming patient identity according to approved identification procedures.
- Recording the patient’s reason for visiting or presenting complaint.
- Taking and accurately documenting basic vital signs.
- Measuring blood pressure, pulse, temperature and respiratory rate.
- Measuring oxygen saturation where applicable.
- Recording weight and height.
- Calculating BMI where applicable.
- Conducting blood glucose testing where delegated and permitted by protocol.
- Identifying abnormal vital signs and immediately reporting concerns to the Registered Nurse.
- Assisting with basic patient screening according to clinic protocols.
Patient Administration
The successful candidate will support accurate and efficient patient administration by:
- Verifying patient demographic information.
- Ensuring electronic health records are available and updated.
- Accurately recording pre-consultation information.
- Ensuring required documents are completed correctly.
- Capturing patient information on the clinic system.
- Ensuring appropriate consent documentation is completed.
- Providing accurate handovers to the Registered Nurse or consulting practitioner.
Documentation & Record Keeping
The Auxiliary Nurse must maintain accurate and confidential patient records.
This includes:
- Recording vital signs and observations clearly.
- Ensuring patient records are complete, legible, dated and signed where required.
- Documenting consent and patient interactions according to facility policies.
- Protecting the confidentiality and integrity of patient information.
- Complying with legal, ethical and facility record-keeping requirements.
Health & Safety
The employee will help maintain a clean, safe and hygienic clinical environment.
Responsibilities include:
- Following infection prevention and control procedures.
- Practising appropriate hand hygiene.
- Using personal protective equipment correctly.
- Cleaning and disinfecting equipment between patients.
- Ensuring equipment such as blood pressure machines, thermometers, glucometers and scales is clean and functional.
- Reporting faulty equipment to the Registered Nurse or Clinic Manager.
- Safely handling and disposing of clinical waste.
- Maintaining cleanliness and order in the pre-consultation room.
- Following all occupational health and safety requirements.
Communication & Teamwork
The Auxiliary Nurse will work closely with the Registered Nurse, doctors, reception staff and other healthcare workers.
The role requires the employee to:
- Communicate respectfully with patients, families and colleagues.
- Escalate clinical concerns promptly.
- Follow instructions from the Registered Nurse.
- Support efficient patient movement through the clinic.
- Maintain professional conduct at all times.
- Participate in clinic meetings, training and quality improvement activities when required.
Scope of Practice
The Auxiliary Nurse must function strictly within their legally prescribed scope of practice and under appropriate supervision.
The employee may not:
- Diagnose patients independently.
- Prescribe medication.
- Change treatment plans.
- Provide clinical advice outside approved protocols.
- Perform procedures outside their delegated scope.
- Work independently without appropriate supervision.
- Obtain consent for complex clinical procedures without Registered Nurse or practitioner involvement.
The Auxiliary Nurse must immediately escalate concerns to the Registered Nurse if a patient has abnormal vital signs or appears acutely ill or unstable. Concerns such as chest pain, shortness of breath, severe pain, fainting, confusion, severe bleeding, refusal of care or consent-related issues must also be escalated.
Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
- Excellent communication and listening skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Sound nursing and patient-care knowledge.
- Knowledge of infection prevention and control.
- Strong attention to quality and detail.
- Good cognitive and technical skills.
- Self-management abilities.
- Professionalism and confidentiality.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a healthcare team.
- Computer literacy.
- Good organisational skills.
- Patient-focused service.
- Ability to remain calm and professional in a busy clinical environment.
Special Conditions of Employment
The successful candidate must:
- Maintain current SANC registration.
- Work according to the Nursing Act and applicable healthcare legislation.
- Comply with ethical and confidentiality requirements.
- Follow health, safety, quality assurance and infection prevention regulations.
- Be willing and able to work retail hours.
- Be physically fit and able to stand for extended periods.
- Have clear credit and criminal records.
- Work primarily in a private Dis-Chem Clinic within the store.
- Be available to assist in other clinic areas where required, within their scope and under supervision.
- Comply with clinic operating hours and shift schedules.
- Wear the prescribed uniform and identification badge.
Remuneration & Benefits
Dis-Chem offers:
- Market-related salary
- Medical aid
- Provident fund
- Staff account
Legal Requirements
Registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as an Enrolled Nursing Auxiliary and maintenance of current registration status is required.
The successful candidate must practise within the Nursing Act, applicable healthcare legislation and prescribed scope of practice while maintaining patient confidentiality and adhering to Dis-Chem’s organisational policies and procedures.
Closing Date
📅 30 September 2026
Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited is an equal opportunity employer. The company’s Employment Equity Plan and targets will be considered as part of its Employment Equity and Transformation Strategy. Dis-Chem actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.
Only successful applicants will be contacted. If you have not been contacted within two weeks after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.