CLINICAL MANAGER

The Eastern Cape Department of Health is seeking a Clinical Manager for Fort Beaufort Hospital, located in the Amathole District. This senior leadership post sits at the heart of the hospital’s executive management team and carries overall accountability for the clinical governance, quality, and strategic direction of medical services across the facility. Graded under the Occupation Specific Dispensation and structured as an all-inclusive package aligned with Middle Management Service guidelines, the role is intended for an experienced medical professional ready to take on substantial managerial responsibility within a public hospital environment. The successful candidate will work closely with the key executive management team to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of both clinical and administrative support services, while operating within the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern the public health sector.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Practitioner, and must be registered with the HPCSA in that capacity. A minimum of three years of appropriate experience as a medical officer after registration is required, along with a valid driver’s licence. The ideal candidate will also bring strong competencies in strategic capability and leadership, programme and project management, financial management, change management, people management and empowerment, service delivery innovation, knowledge management, problem solving and analysis, communication, and client orientation. Thorough knowledge of relevant legislation is essential, including the National Health Act, Mental Health Act, Public Finance Management Act, Public Service Act, and related regulations and policies.

The duties attached to this post are broad and demanding. The Clinical Manager is responsible for the management of clinical services throughout the entire hospital, in line with departmental standards, and must be prepared to perform after-hours duties as delegated. The incumbent will participate in and be accountable for leading the hospital’s clinical services, maintaining accurate health records in accordance with legal and ethical considerations, and guiding staff and associated health professionals in morbidity and mortality reviews. The role requires active involvement in continuous medical education, quality improvement programmes, and clinical audits, with responsibility for developing, implementing, and monitoring corrective action plans. Cost-effective service delivery within the department is a key priority, as is the management of budgets and financial information. The Clinical Manager will also attend to administrative matters, determine systems for intradepartmental functions in line with hospital policies, and communicate those systems to staff. Representing the hospital authoritatively at provincial and public forums, ensuring compliance with National Core Standards and other statutory requirements, and managing performance through the PMDS process with quarterly reviews of subordinates are all integral parts of the role. Furthermore, the incumbent must be willing to work under pressure, compile medical reports and give evidence at trials when required, and provide training, development, and supervision to undergraduate and postgraduate junior doctors.

The post carries a strong equity focus, with females and people with disabilities specifically encouraged to apply and to indicate such in their applications. All shortlisted candidates, including SMS members, must undergo two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise and an integrity assessment, both of which will be scored as additional criteria during the interview process. Further personnel suitability checks, including security clearance, qualification verification, criminal record checks, and reference checks, will be conducted on nominated candidates. Applicants who have not been contacted within three months of the closing date should accept that their applications were unsuccessful. The department also reserves the right to amend, review, or withdraw the advertised post should the best interests of the department be served in doing so.