HEAD CLINICAL DEPARTMENT: (MEDICAL) GRADE 1 REF NO: GS 16/26 Component: Anaesthesia and Critical Care

This senior medical leadership position is based at Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg and heads the Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care within the institution. As a Head Clinical Department, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing strategic and operational direction to the department, while also coordinating relevant anaesthetic and critical care services across a broader geographical area known as Area 2. The role is graded at a senior specialist level and offers a demanding yet rewarding environment for an experienced medical specialist who is ready to shape clinical services, patient safety and staff development.

Applicants must hold a Grade 12 or Senior Certificate, an MBChB or equivalent medical degree, and a postgraduate qualification in Anaesthesiology that permits registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Specialist in Anaesthesiology. Current registration with the HPCSA is essential, along with at least seven years’ experience as a Medical Specialist after registration, specifically within anaesthetics and critical care. A valid driver’s licence is also required, and proven management experience as a Head of a Clinical Unit in anaesthetic and critical care is an additional requirement. Only shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit certified copies of qualifications, identity documents, driver’s licence, professional registration certificates and service certificates endorsed by Human Resources, and these must be produced on the day of the interview.

The core duties are wide-ranging. The incumbent will ensure the provision of safe, cost-effective and high-quality anaesthetic and critical care services, including clinical cover for elective and emergency procedures. This includes oversight of preoperative assessment, intraoperative care, recovery and postoperative support, working alongside surgical and other clinical departments. In critical care, the post holder must manage admission and discharge processes, bed utilisation, patient prioritisation, referral pathways and continuity of care. The role also involves formulating annual operational plans and longer-term departmental strategies aligned with the Department of Health’s priorities, as well as meeting performance targets such as theatre utilisation, cancellation rates, ICU bed occupancy, patient flow, clinical outcomes and waiting times.

People management and clinical governance form a substantial part of the position. The Head will manage staff performance through the EPMDS, recruit and retain staff, handle labour relations, disciplinary processes, conflict and grievances, and ensure appropriate staffing levels and competencies, including sessional practitioners. Teaching and training are also key: registrars, medical officers, interns, nursing personnel and undergraduate students must be supervised and developed, with liaison to the University of KwaZulu-Natal, CMSA, HPCSA and other academic bodies. In addition, the incumbent will drive quality improvement through morbidity and mortality meetings, clinical audits, incident reviews, risk register maintenance and quality assurance programmes, including the Ideal Hospital framework and OHSC activities. Sound knowledge of financial management, budgeting, procurement, human resources, computer literacy, Batho Pele principles, medical ethics and relevant health legislation is essential. This is an all-inclusive package position with a flexible portion and commuted overtime that must be contracted annually, reflecting the executive nature of the post.