REGISTRAR (EMERGENCY MEDICINE) (4-Year Contract)

This position offers a four-year contract as a Registrar in Emergency Medicine within the Emergency and Clinical Support Service, based at Emergency Medical Services under the provincial Department of Health. The role is a specialist training post designed for medical practitioners who are committed to advancing their careers in emergency care while contributing to a high-volume, multi-disciplinary clinical environment. Registrars form part of the broader academic and clinical training complex, with rotations expected across the Groote Schuur and Tygerberg training complexes, and will need to register as postgraduate students with the University of Cape Town in line with the yearbook guidelines. This means the post combines service delivery with formal academic teaching, training, and research responsibilities, making it suitable for candidates who want both rigorous clinical exposure and structured specialist development.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner in Independent Practice. A valid driver’s licence is an inherent requirement, as is completion of FCEM (SA) Part 1. The position also requires a demonstrable track record of at least 24 months of work experience in an Emergency Centre under the supervision of an Emergency Medicine Specialist, ideally within the past three years. In addition, candidates should have appropriate clinical knowledge and skills in emergency medicine consistent with a competent independent emergency doctor in South African practice, alongside academic self-development, administrative and medicolegal competence, and the ability to maintain professional conduct with all stakeholders. Evidence of research experience and Level 1 ultrasound accreditation is also required. Willingness to travel and to work commuted overtime is essential, as the role may involve placements across designated service areas.

The core duties revolve around the effective and efficient care of emergency patients, including providing emergency-related services in designated service areas. This includes clinical and corporate governance responsibilities aligned with the services at each placement. A key part of the role is supervision and in-service training of junior colleagues and other staff, as well as contributing to the teaching and training of Health Science students. In this way, the registrar is expected to act as both a clinician and an educator, helping to build the next generation of emergency care professionals while maintaining high standards of patient management and professional accountability.

Several special conditions apply. The Department of Health is guided by the principles of Employment Equity, with specific registrar posts identified as part of the Affirmative Action programme to create a representative specialist cadre, and candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to South African citizens or permanent residents with a valid identity document. Applicants who do not yet hold the stipulated registration may still apply, but only if they provide proof of application and payment of the prescribed registration fees to the relevant council on or before the day of interview, with this concession limited to first-time registration in that specific category. Existing employees on higher salary packages may retain their current salary and pay progression. Contract appointment as a Registrar is capped at four years, and those in service who choose to continue pension benefits as a Registrar will be required to resign after completion of their registrarship if they are not appointed to advertised specialist posts. Applicants must also indicate whether they have bursary obligations. No payment of any kind is required when applying. This is an OSD-graded post, and enquiries are handled by the contact person listed in the full circular.