CSSD Manager | Cape Town, Western Cape | Permanent

Are you an experienced CSSD professional with the leadership skills to maintain high standards of sterilisation, infection prevention and operational efficiency? An opportunity exists for a CSSD Manager to lead the Central Sterile Services Department at a private hospital in Cape Town.

Reporting to the Theatre Manager, the successful candidate will be responsible for the effective day-to-day management of the CSSD unit, ensuring that theatre packs meet the required standards, instruments are properly controlled and maintained, and sterilisation and infection control procedures are consistently followed. The role requires a hands-on leader who can manage staff performance, develop team capability, oversee departmental resources and ensure that operational requirements are met in a demanding healthcare environment.

The successful candidate will join an established private healthcare facility that prioritises quality patient care, clinical safety and operational excellence. This opportunity will suit a structured, energetic and resilient professional who can lead a team, manage competing priorities and maintain high standards while working collaboratively with theatre staff and other healthcare professionals.

What You'll Do

• Manage the daily operations of the CSSD unit, ensuring that all operational requirements are consistently met.

• Maintain appropriate control of surgical instruments, minimising theft, loss and breakages.

• Ensure the quality and accuracy of theatre packs in accordance with the requirements of different surgical cases.

• Apply CSSD working procedures and uphold sterilisation and infection control standards in line with established healthcare protocols.

• Maintain departmental cleanliness and hygiene, ensuring compliance with infection control and SHEQ policies and procedures.

• Train, support and develop CSSD Assistants to ensure effective performance and adherence to required standards.

• Manage staffing levels, performance and staff development while promoting cost-effective resource utilisation and positive working relationships.

• Oversee the departmental budget, equipment maintenance and stock control.

• Coordinate departmental workloads and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

• Identify operational challenges and implement appropriate solutions to maintain service quality and efficiency.

What You Bring

• Registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a professional or general nurse.

• At least five years of experience in CSSD and/or Theatre.

• Leadership or managerial experience, including staff management and conflict resolution.

• A sound understanding of CSSD procedures, sterilisation standards and infection control requirements.

• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

• A customer-focused approach and the ability to build effective working relationships.

• The resilience to work under pressure in a changing healthcare environment.

• The ability to motivate, train and develop staff while leading by example.

• A proactive, ethical and team-oriented approach.

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including night shifts.

• An Advanced SAFMED CSSD course will be an advantage.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent adherence to sterilisation, infection prevention, hygiene and SHEQ standards.

• Accurate, high-quality theatre packs that meet the requirements of individual surgical cases.

• Effective control and maintenance of instruments, equipment and stock.

• A competent, motivated and well-managed CSSD team.

• Efficient staffing, workload coordination and departmental budget management.

• Strong collaboration with theatre and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.

• Reliable daily operations that support clinical safety and the delivery of quality patient care.