MEDICAL SPECIALIST GRADE 1 TO 3 (OPHTHALMOLOGY) (SESSIONAL) (5 HOURS PER WEEK) (Contract Till 31 March 2029)

This position offers a sessional appointment as a Medical Specialist in Ophthalmology at New Somerset Hospital, operating under the Metro Health Services directorate. The post is structured at Grade 1, 2, or 3 level depending on the candidate’s years of appropriate experience, and involves a commitment of five hours per week under a contract that runs until 31 March 2029. As part of the Western Cape Government’s health ecosystem, the role is based at New Somerset Hospital but expects the incumbent to render clinical services across institutions within the ecosystem as needed to sustain service delivery. This means the specialist may be required to support surrounding facilities beyond the primary base, ensuring continuity of ophthalmic care across the referral network.

Applicants must hold a qualification that permits registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Specialist in Ophthalmology, and must be registered with the HPCSA in that category. For appointment at Grade 1, no post-registration experience is required. Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years of appropriate experience as a Medical Specialist in Ophthalmology after registration, while Grade 3 requires at least ten years of such experience. In the case of foreign-qualified employees, experience gained after registration with a recognised foreign health professional council may be considered. A valid driver’s licence is an inherent requirement of the job, as travel to other facilities may be necessary.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate strong ethical principles, sound clinical and counselling skills, computer literacy, and well-developed leadership, interpersonal, and organisational abilities. Tertiary-level knowledge and skills in trauma and emergency ophthalmology surgery, as well as district-level elective ophthalmology, are essential. The role also requires appropriate experience in performing ophthalmic surgery as the primary surgeon and in managing patients as a treating specialist.

Key duties include providing specialist outpatient care to patients requiring ophthalmology services, conducting screening of neonates for retinopathy of prematurity, and offering surgical services to patients from New Somerset Hospital at Eerste Rivier Hospital for designated ophthalmology lists. The specialist will also provide outreach and support to surrounding district hospitals that refer patients to New Somerset Hospital, helping to strengthen the broader referral system.

Candidates who do not yet have the stipulated registration may still apply, provided they submit proof of application for registration with the relevant council and proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees on or before the day of the interview. This concession applies only to health professionals applying for the first time for registration in a specific category, including those who need to change their registration status. No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post. This is an opportunity for qualified ophthalmologists to contribute to specialist eye care within a public health setting, with a focus on both emergency and elective services across a network of facilities.