CLINICAL MANAGER

This position offers an opportunity for an experienced medical professional to take on a senior clinical leadership role within the Eastern Cape Department of Health, based at Fort England Psychiatric Hospital in the Sarah Baartman District. As Clinical Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for overseeing and directing all clinical services delivered across the entire hospital, operating within a middle management framework and reporting through the hospital’s executive management team. The role is graded according to the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for medical practitioners, reflecting its seniority and the breadth of accountability involved. The successful candidate will be expected to ensure that the hospital meets departmental standards, statutory requirements, and the broader objectives of the public health system, while also providing visible leadership in both routine operations and after-hours care as delegated.

To be considered, applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that enables registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner, and they must be registered as such. A minimum of three years of relevant experience as a medical officer after obtaining this registration is required. Thorough knowledge of key legislation is essential, including the National Health Act, the Mental Health Act, the Public Finance Management Act, and the Public Service Act, along with associated regulations and policies. The role also demands a wide range of managerial competencies, including strategic capability, programme and project management, financial acumen, change management, people management and empowerment, service delivery innovation, knowledge management, problem solving, communication, and a strong client orientation. A valid driver’s licence is mandatory.

The core duties are extensive and centre on the management of clinical services in accordance with departmental standards. The Clinical Manager will participate actively in leading and managing these services, maintain accurate health records in line with legal and ethical requirements, and provide training and guidance to staff and health professionals on morbidity and mortality reviews. The role includes attending and contributing to continuous medical education, participating in quality improvement programmes, and ensuring cost-effective service delivery within the hospital. Administrative responsibilities are also significant, including planning, directing, coordinating and managing clinical and administrative support services in collaboration with the executive management team. The incumbent will represent the hospital authoritatively at provincial and public forums, establish systems for intradepartmental functions in line with hospital policies, and communicate these clearly to staff. Training and development of staff is a key focus, as is ensuring compliance with National Core Standards and other regulatory requirements. The position requires conducting regular clinical audits, developing and monitoring action plans, and overseeing the budget and financial information to ensure effective and efficient resource use. The Clinical Manager must also demonstrate strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, be prepared to work under pressure and after hours according to the commuted overtime policy, compile medical reports and give evidence at trials when required, manage performance through the PMDS system with quarterly reviews of subordinates, and supervise undergraduate and postgraduate junior doctors.

This is a demanding but rewarding post within a specialised psychiatric hospital setting. The department encourages females and people with disabilities to apply, and all shortlisted candidates, including senior management service applicants, will be required to undergo pre-entry assessments, including a practical exercise and an integrity assessment. Further personnel suitability checks, such as security vetting, qualification verification, criminal record checks and reference checks, will also be conducted. Applications are submitted on the prescribed Z83 form with a comprehensive CV, and certified documents are only required for shortlisted candidates. It is important to note that any misrepresentation in application documents will lead to automatic disqualification, and applicants who do not receive feedback within three months of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.