Open to opportunities

Likhabiso Makhaye

@likhabisomakhaye

Registered clinical dietitian with a public health focus, leading pediatric/neonatal care through evidence, governance, and mentorship.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a role that blends clinical governance with research and education—where I can lead protocol development, ensure audit-ready documentation and compliance, supervise and mentor teams, and improve paediatric/neonatal outcomes through evidence-based quality improvements.

I’m a Registered Dietitian (SA) with a Master of Public Health Nutrition and current PhD candidacy at the University of the Western Cape. Across more than a decade, I’ve worked at the intersection of clinical nutrition, research governance, and capacity building—especially in paediatric and neonatal care.

As second-in-charge in the Dietetics Department, I lead protocol development and supervise clinical interns. I design POPIA-compliant resources that strengthen documentation, improve teaching, and support strategic planning, often using bilingual, audit-ready tools that teams can reliably work from.

I’m highly focused on quality improvement and legal compliance. I lead quality improvement audits, contribute to OHSC and compliance efforts as a department representative, and design SOPs aligned with GCP standards, including systematic approaches to monitoring and evaluation and clear quarterly reporting.

I also combine clinical leadership with education and community impact, serving as Acting dietetics manager and part-time junior lecturer on structured, evidence-based course design using Moodle analytics. I’m drawn to roles that integrate clinical governance with research, education, and community empowerment—using a holistic, story-driven approach grounded in evidence and empathy.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Grade 2 Clinical Dietitian

Current

Harry Gwala Regional Hospital

Jan 2013 - Present (13 years 3 months)

Led strategic redesign of intern supervision systems to improve accountability and learning outcomes, and planned neonatal and paediatric nutrition protocols across departments. Developed bilingual, printable resources for clinical handover and training, and co-created governance tools and daily checklists for inclusive care.

Protocol Development Quality Assurance

Junior Lecturer (Part-Time)

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Jul 2024 - Dec 2024 (5 months)

Designed structured, evidence-based course content aligned with South African dietetics standards, using case-based learning and sequential materials on Moodle. Created interactive quizzes and assessments, developed inclusive bilingual resources with video demonstrations, and used Moodle analytics to mentor and monitor student engagement.

Moodle Mentoring

Acting Dietetics Manager

Harry Gwala Regional Hospital

Jan 2023 - Jun 2023 (5 months)

Acted as dietetics manager in the absence of the HOD, assessing and educating patients and supporting nutritional decision-making. Managed quarterly reporting, supervised junior dietitians, coordinated food service and PHC audit activities, supported monitoring and evaluation, and assisted with implementation of DOH policies.

Patient Education Nutritional Care Decision Support Junior Dietitian Supervision Monitoring and Evaluation

ARV Dietitian

Hlengisizwe Community Health Center

Jan 2011 - Aug 2013 (2 years 7 months)

Facilitated community-based nutrition research for patients on antiretroviral therapy, designing dietetic care plans and monitoring outcomes using biochemical markers. Delivered nutrition and HIV health literacy workshops using participatory teaching methods.

ARV Nutrition Management Community Based Research Health Literacy Public Health Nutrition Chronic Disease Management