MEDICAL / DENTAL SPECIALISTS GRADE 1 – 3 / SUB-SPECIALISTS GRADE 1 – 3 (INCLUDING CONTRACT AND SESSIONAL)

This vacancy is for qualified medical and dental specialists, as well as sub-specialists, at Grade 1, Grade 2, or Grade 3 levels, and it also accommodates contract and sessional appointments. The role is based within a provincial health department and involves working as a senior clinical leader in a specialist unit or division. Successful candidates will be expected to render a comprehensive, effective, and high-quality specialist service to patients, while also taking responsibility for the coordination and supervision of medical interns, medical officers, dentists, and registrars where applicable. This includes providing hands-on training and support to all doctors, dentists, and allied health professionals within the team, ensuring that clinical care is delivered to the highest standards.

Beyond direct patient care, the position carries significant academic and administrative responsibilities. The specialist will need to manage administrative functions effectively, contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching activities, and support continuing medical education for health workers at other levels of care. The role also requires developing and delivering outreach and support services to other facilities in the catchment area, which means the ability to travel and work across different sites is essential. Clinical governance is a key component, with the post holder expected to put in place effective mechanisms to ensure patient safety and quality care at all times.

To be considered, applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a medical or dental practitioner and as a specialist in the relevant specialty. Current registration with the HPCSA is required. For those applying as sub-specialists, additional registration as a medical sub-specialist in the relevant specialty is necessary. Experience requirements are structured by grade: Grade 1 requires no experience after specialist registration, Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years of appropriate experience, and Grade 3 requires a minimum of ten years. For medical sub-specialists, the same experience thresholds apply after sub-specialist registration. In the case of foreign-qualified employees, experience gained with a recognized foreign health professional council is accepted. A valid driver's licence is required, except for candidates with disabilities, and all appointees must be willing to perform commuted overtime in line with the Provincial Commuted Overtime Policy and departmental requirements.

The ideal candidate will have sound clinical knowledge and skills in the relevant discipline, a strong sense of medical ethics, and the ability to work as part of a team and to lead. Computer literacy is important, including the ability to collect and analyse data. The role demands effective teaching skills for both undergraduate and postgraduate training, as well as the capacity to develop in-service training and to conduct and supervise registrar research. Candidates should also be able to develop specialist or sub-specialist services, prioritise and rationally utilise limited resources, and support health services through outreach and in-reach programmes. This is a demanding but rewarding position for specialists who are committed to public service, academic excellence, and improving patient outcomes across the health system.