HEAD CLINICAL UNIT (MEDICAL) GRADE 1 REF NO: GS 17/26 Component: ICU Critical Care Department

This position heads the multidisciplinary adult Intensive Care Unit at Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, operating as a senior medical specialist within the broader Metropolitan Critical Care system. The role sits within the Pietermaritzburg Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management, and the successful candidate will report to the Head of the Clinical Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care at Grey’s Hospital. The incumbent is responsible for the overall clinical leadership, management and strategic direction of the tertiary ICU, while also contributing to the wider metropolitan critical care network that includes Harry Gwala Regional Hospital and Northdale Hospital. This is a senior, OSD-graded medical post requiring both clinical excellence and managerial capability, with an all-inclusive remuneration package and commuted overtime attached, subject to annual sign-off and departmental needs.

Applicants must hold a Grade 12 or Senior Certificate and an MBChB or equivalent medical degree, together with a postgraduate qualification relevant to adult critical care — for example in anaesthesia, surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, or emergency medicine — or another qualification that permits registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Specialist. Current registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Specialist in Critical Care, or holding a certificate in trauma surgery, is essential, as is at least five years’ experience as a Medical Specialist after registration. Shortlisted candidates will need to submit certified documents and service certificates endorsed by Human Resources, and may be required to undergo a competency test. The ideal candidate possesses sound knowledge of human resource management, budgeting, quality assurance programme implementation and evaluation, and information management, along with a strong grasp of current health and Public Service legislation, regulations and policies, medical ethics, epidemiology and statistics. Excellent communication, leadership, decision-making and clinical skills are required, as is up-to-date knowledge of clinical procedures, protocols and international standards of care, including the appropriate use of relevant technology.

The post holder must be physically available to participate in the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Critical Care after-hours call system across the three hospitals, and must be able to assess and manage a broad spectrum of critically ill patients referred from surgery, orthopaedic surgery, surgical specialities, obstetrics and gynaecology, and internal medicine. The ability to critically evaluate new technologies and decide on their cost-effective implementation is also expected. Behaviourally, the applicant should demonstrate stress tolerance, self-confidence, teamwork, and the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, nursing staff, allied medical staff and clinicians from other disciplines.

Key duties include managing Grey’s Hospital adult multidisciplinary tertiary ICU as part of the metropolitan critical care system, developing and refining admission and discharge policies to ensure fair and ethical resource distribution, and leading the clinical service by personally providing subspecialist-level consultant cover and clinical leadership. The incumbent will supervise specialists undertaking Certification in Critical Care, provide after-hours subspecialist cover on a rostered basis for Grey’s ICU and other metropolitan ICUs, assess high-risk patients pre- and post-admission, and guide referring clinicians. The role also involves liaising with the paediatric critical care services at Grey’s Hospital, participating in outreach programmes for developing critical care services in the catchment area, and contributing to teaching programmes coordinated by the Pietermaritzburg Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management for vocational, postgraduate and nursing staff. Undertaking appropriate clinical research and supporting junior staff research efforts is expected. Management responsibilities include ensuring effective utilisation and placement of medical and nursing staff, maintaining discipline and professionalism, delegating duties while retaining accountability, liaising with hospital management on infrastructure, funding, equipment and staffing needs, and maintaining self and staff development through CPD, CME and academic programmes.