MEDICAL OFFICER: GRADE 1 – 3 [SESSIONAL] = 151 POSITIONS

This vacancy represents a large-scale recruitment drive for qualified medical practitioners to serve as sessional Medical Officers at all public hospitals across Limpopo Province. With 151 positions available, the Department of Health is seeking to fill roles at Grade 1, Grade 2, and Grade 3 levels on a sessional basis. Sessional appointments are structured to allow medical officers to provide services for defined sessions, with the grading and corresponding sessional rate determined by the practitioner's years of appropriate experience after registration. These posts are distributed across the entire provincial hospital network, including district, regional, and specialized hospitals, so successful applicants may be placed at any facility where operational needs arise.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that permits registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an Independent Medical Practitioner, and must maintain current, active registration with the HPCSA. The experience requirement varies by grade: Grade 1 is for those with less than five years of post-registration experience, Grade 2 requires at least five but fewer than ten years, and Grade 3 requires ten or more years of appropriate and recognisable experience. All candidates must be South African citizens or permanent residents and must hold a valid driver's licence. Essential inherent requirements include a genuine willingness to work shifts and flexible hours, including night duty, weekends, and public holidays, as well as the capacity to work extra hours on short notice. Commuted overtime may be approved by the Accounting Officer based on operational needs and the flexi or shift system. Computer literacy is mandatory, including proficiency in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and virtual meeting platforms, along with the ability to generate reports using these tools. Notably, a skills declaration form must be attached to the application.

In terms of professional knowledge and personal suitability, the department expects candidates to demonstrate sound clinical knowledge and skills across general medicine, surgery, and anaesthetics, applicable to patients of all age groups and sexes at district health services level. Practitioners must understand and apply the legal aspects relevant to medical practice in South Africa, as well as uphold sound medical ethics and clinical governance principles. Good leadership, communication, presentation, and budgeting skills are required, along with the ability to collect and analyse data. Successful appointees will display integrity, professionalism, attention to detail, accountability, reliability, and a proactive, results-orientated approach. They must remain calm under pressure, adapt to change, interact respectfully and diplomatically with stakeholders, work as supportive team players, and commit to continuous learning and Batho Pele principles, with the ability to work independently after hours without supervision.

The key performance areas are comprehensive and encompass direct clinical care, including emergency care, in designated clinical areas. Medical officers will be required to perform ward rounds, participate in outreach programmes, and provide services at special events and operations throughout the province. They must respond to all emergency calls within stipulated times, including during disasters or disaster management situations. Maintaining best clinical practice in line with quality standards is central, supported by ongoing Continuous Professional Development as required by the HPCSA. Officers will generate and maintain clinical records to minimum standards, participate in the departmental and hospital Quality Improvement Programme, conduct clinical audits, and ensure clinical protocols are followed. At the academic level, they must engage in continuing medical education and support undergraduate and postgraduate teaching activities. Where required, they will coordinate clinical responsibilities and supervise, instruct, and train medical interns, community service medical officers, medical officers, and registrars. Finally, they may be allocated any other duties by their supervisor without boundary restrictions, reflecting the flexible and responsive nature of these posts across the province.