MEDICAL OFFICER GRADE 1 TO 3 (STAFF/OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CLINIC)

This position offers an opportunity for a qualified medical practitioner to lead and manage occupational health services within the Western Cape Government’s Metro Health Services, based at the Office of the Chief Director. The role is central to safeguarding the wellbeing of healthcare staff across the Cape Metro district, ensuring that the workforce is protected from occupational hazards and that health facilities comply with occupational health and safety standards. As a Medical Officer Grade 1 to 3, the incumbent will work within a structured grading system that recognises increasing levels of experience, and the post is suited to professionals who are passionate about preventative medicine, workplace health risk management, and the development of a safe working environment in the public health sector.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner, and must be registered with the HPCSA in that capacity. The required experience varies by grade: for South African qualified employees, Grade 1 requires no post-registration experience, Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years of appropriate experience, and Grade 3 requires at least ten years. For foreign qualified employees who are not required to perform community service in South Africa, the equivalent experience requirements are one year, six years, and eleven years respectively. In addition, the role demands a valid driver’s licence, a willingness to travel to health facilities throughout the Cape Metro area, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health. Candidates must also be prepared to participate in commuted overtime when operational needs require it.

The core duties of this post are broad and include establishing and managing a comprehensive occupational health service, as well as monitoring and evaluating all occupational illnesses and injuries. The Medical Officer will be responsible for hazard identification and risk management, conducting workplace health risk assessments, and developing occupational risk exposure profiles. Policy development is another key area, with the expectation that the successful candidate will review, formulate, maintain, and disseminate policies and procedures that enhance staff safety. The role also involves the administration and governance of occupational health and safety management structures, providing technical input on procurement, and supporting education and training initiatives. Developing staff literacy in occupational health and safety principles, practices, and guidelines across the district and its facilities is an important component, as is documentation, data management, and reporting.

Candidates should be computer literate in MS Office and possess knowledge of health risk management, including health risk assessments and occupational hygiene report assessment. Familiarity with medical adjudication, such as return-to-work medicals, and an understanding of district health services are also essential. Notably, applicants who do not yet have the stipulated registration may still apply, provided they submit proof of application for registration and proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees to the relevant council on or before the day of the interview. This concession applies only to first-time applicants for registration in a specific category. No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post, and all applications must be submitted online through the official Western Cape Government jobs portal. This is a demanding but rewarding role for a medical professional seeking to make a meaningful impact on the health and safety of the public healthcare workforce.