MINISTRY OF HEALTH CIRCULAR NOTICE NO. 4 OF 2025
Ref: H/CIR/4
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following position tenable in the Ministry of Health.
POSITION: Nursing Officer
Grade: G
Number of Positions: Three (3)
Responsible To: Departmental Nursing Services Coordinator
Job Summary
The Nursing Officer is responsible for patient/client care, staff supervision, and coordination of nursing services within a ward or unit. The role involves organization, planning, monitoring, and evaluation of nursing care and may include specialized nursing services depending on the area of assignment.
Main Duties
1. Patient/Client Nursing Care
- Reviews nursing care plans for appropriateness, monitors and evaluates planned care, and ensures continuity of care.
- Provides counseling services to clients and their relatives to help them cope with various situations.
- Provides planned nursing care to clients/patients, monitors their recovery process, and evaluates progress to ensure continuity of care.
- Refers complicated patients to the Senior Nursing Officer for further management and support.
- Counsels patients, families, and staff during bereavement cases to help them cope with loss.
2. Organization of Nursing Services within a Ward/Unit
- Draws up daily and monthly work schedules for nursing and non-nursing staff to ensure the right staff mix at all times in accordance with the duty roster.
- Identifies training and orientation needs for newly employed staff and introduces them to relevant policies, guidelines, and protocols.
- Plans and implements in-service education programs to update staff on new nursing approaches.
- Participates in the clinical teaching of nursing students to correlate theory with practice.
- Organizes specimen collection, laboratory maintenance, and review of results for effective patient management.
3. Coordination with Other Health Services
- Works with the Pharmacy Department to ensure availability and sustainability of drugs and supplies.
- Inspects patient treatment charts daily to ensure documentation and communication between health services.
- Liaises with other relevant departments/agencies and patients’ relatives to assist in the recovery process.
4. Supervision
- Supervises nursing sisters in the implementation of nursing processes and ensures staff motivation and support.
- Assesses ward cleanliness and infection prevention practices.
- Appraises nursing staff performance and recommends appropriate interventions for patient care.
- Consults medical officers regarding patient management and medical prescriptions.
5. Provision of Specialized Nursing Services
Depending on specialization, a Nursing Officer may also perform duties in one or more of the following areas:
(a) Public/Community Health Services (Public Health Nurse)
- Evaluates the effectiveness of existing physical facilities, environmental conditions, and health equipment in community health centres.
- Supervises and inspects health centres and clinics monthly to ensure service delivery.
- Liaises with medical officers, other health professionals, and Senior Nursing Officers (SNOs) to ensure efficient delivery of community and public health services.
- Maintains regular follow-up visits for chronically ill patients to ensure continuity of care.
- Conducts childhood immunizations to curb communicable diseases.
- Investigates disease outbreaks within communities and implements preventive nursing actions.
- Evaluates the impact and effectiveness of health programs and interventions.
(b) Mental Health Services (Mental Health Nurse)
- Conducts psychiatric assessment interviews for diagnosis, observation, and management.
- Provides mental health education talks in schools, prisons, and through media campaigns.
- Counsels affected and infected clients to help them cope with psychotherapeutic situations.
- Conducts group therapy sessions for psychiatric patients to aid recovery.
- Conducts home visits to provide psychiatric support and coordinate related activities.
- Coordinates national and international mental health awareness programs.
(c) Ophthalmic Services (Ophthalmic Nurse)
- Examines clients’ eyes to detect anomalies, defects, or eye diseases.
- Organizes and conducts outreach clinics in remote areas to provide eye care services.
- Manages common eye complications and prevents infections through proper assessment and observation.
- Monitors and records patients’ daily progress towards recovery.
- Conducts eye health education talks in schools, prisons, and community gatherings to promote awareness.
(d) Operating Theatre Services (Theatre Nurse)
- Keeps an up-to-date inventory of theatre equipment for proper management.
- Assists the surgeon during operations and ensures aseptic techniques are maintained.
- Assembles surgical equipment and ensures readiness for procedures.
- Maintains environmental cleanliness and ensures sterilization (autoclaving) of theatre instruments to prevent infection.
(e) Anesthetic Services (Anesthetic Nurse)
- Assembles anaesthetic equipment and monitors patient condition during induction and recovery.
- Monitors patient condition during surgery and takes appropriate interventions.
- Conducts pre-operative visits to assess patients’ physical and mental readiness for surgery.
- Administers anesthesia and monitors patients post-operatively until recovery for safe transfer to the wards.
(f) Midwifery Services (Midwife)
- Works independently as a midwifery practitioner.
- Takes a complete pregnancy history, including labour and delivery details.
- Develops and implements quality midwifery protocols.
- Conducts antenatal (ANC), postnatal (PNC), and intrapartum (INC) care for women of childbearing age.
- Maintains proper client records and inventory for maternal health services.
- Conducts neonatal immunizations and provides counselling on early life stressors.
- Manages labour, performs perineal repairs, manages prolapsed cords, and inserts IV lines.
- Performs physical examinations of the mother, assesses uterine involution, and supports breastfeeding.
- Educates mothers on self-care, infant care, nutrition, and rest after delivery.
- Identifies and refers maternal complications such as infection, hematoma, or bleeding for appropriate treatment.
(g) Advanced Midwifery Services
- Provides advanced care beyond basic midwifery practice.
- Attends to neonatal needs to ensure safety and well-being.
- Performs assisted deliveries using vacuum or forceps.
- Manages shoulder dystocia, fetal distress, or mal-presentations and refers appropriately.
- Performs manual removal of the placenta and cervical repairs.
- Inserts IV lines, draws blood, and performs hematocrit and hemoglobin testing.
- Administers pharmacological pain relief and oxytocin for induction or augmentation of labour.
- Manages postpartum hemorrhage and monitors for recovery.
(h) Primary Health Care (PHC) Services (Nurse Clinician)
- Provides curative services and manages client referrals.
- Conducts follow-up visits for chronically ill patients to ensure continuity of care.
- Participates in health promotion and community health activities.
- Refers complex cases to doctors and guides Village Health Workers (VHWs) on PHC delivery.
Job Specification
Minimum Qualification and Experience:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Midwifery (General Nursing) plus two (2) years of relevant experience in a related field,
OR - Diploma in General Nursing, Diploma in Midwifery, or any other Nursing Specialty Diploma plus two (2) years of experience in a related field.
Note: Candidates must be registered with the Lesotho Nursing Council and provide a valid Nursing Licence.
Skills and Attributes
- Good communication and interpersonal skills (both verbal and written)
- Decisive and analytical thinking
- Critical and innovative problem-solving
- Assertiveness and coaching ability
Application Instructions
Applications from serving officers should be made on G.P. 104 forms and from job seekers on G.P. 103 forms.
All applications must be accompanied by certified copies of:
- Educational Certificates and Transcripts
- Marriage Certificates (for married women)
- Performance Appraisals (for serving officers)
- Contact details (mobile and landline numbers)
All candidates applying for positions at Grade H and above will be subjected to an assessment process in accordance with Section 24 (1) Division III of the Public Service Regulations, 2008.
Application forms are available at the Ministry of Health Headquarters and all its departments across the country. Completed applications should be hand-delivered to:
The Principal Secretary
Ministry of Health
Corner of Constitution Road
Human Resources Office, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 514, Maseru 100
Closing Date: Not later than 24th November 2025