CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST GRADE 1-3 [MENTAL HEALTH] – [CONTRACT UP TO 31ST MARCH 2027]:

This post is for a clinical psychologist specialising in mental health, based at a hospital within the Limpopo provincial health service. The appointment is made on a fixed-term contract, and the successful candidate will be placed at Grade 1, Grade 2 or Grade 3 depending on their years of experience after registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The role sits within the hospital’s mental health unit and involves both direct patient care and broader systemic responsibilities, including forensic work, supervision, training and community outreach.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that permits registration with the HPCSA as a Clinical Psychologist, and must currently be registered in that category. For Grade 1, no post-registration experience is required; Grade 2 requires eight years after registration; and Grade 3 requires sixteen years after registration. The role demands a willingness to work shifts, flexi hours, night duty, weekends and public holidays, and to work extra hours on short notice. Candidates must be competent in conducting forensic mental health evaluations and compiling legal reports for the Department of Justice. Computer literacy in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and virtual meeting platforms is essential, and a valid driver’s licence is required unless the applicant has a disability that prevents driving.

The key performance areas include providing psychological service delivery at hospital level, conducting forensic mental health evaluations, and participating in hospital teams and committees. The psychologist will support hospital activities related to mental health, supervise the work of psychometrists, and implement community outreach programmes. The role also requires liaison with other hospital departments and with psychiatric services within the hospital, as well as assisting in training for primary health care professionals. Experience in child psychiatry is specifically required, so the successful candidate will be expected to apply specialised knowledge in this area.

The ideal person will have appropriate clinical knowledge and experience in psychotherapy, assessment and counselling, along with strong analytical and report writing skills. A sound knowledge of current health and public service legislation, regulations and policies is necessary, as is a solid understanding of professional ethics. The post also calls for research, teaching, case presentation and training skills, together with effective time management. This is an OSD-graded position, meaning the salary and career progression are determined by the Occupation Specific Dispensation for clinical psychologists. Given the contract nature of the post and the hospital environment, applicants should be prepared for a demanding yet rewarding role that contributes directly to mental health service delivery in the public sector.