MEDICAL OFFICER/DENTIST GRADE 2-3 (WITH SPECIALIST/COLLEGES OF MEDICINE QUALIFICATIONS – 3-YEAR CONTRACT POST)

This is a three-year contract post for a Medical Officer or Dentist at Grade 2 or Grade 3 level, specifically within a specialist or Colleges of Medicine pathway in the Limpopo Department of Health. The role is designed for a medical or dental practitioner who already holds a Fellowship with the College of Medicine of South Africa and is actively progressing with research towards an MMED in the same discipline. In exceptional circumstances, foreign-qualified specialists may also be considered. The position sits within a provincial health service environment, where the incumbent will be expected to provide specialist-level clinical care while also taking on teaching, supervisory, and governance responsibilities across the catchment area.

To be considered, applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical or Dental Practitioner, and they must currently be registered with the HPCSA in that capacity. For appointment at Grade 2, a minimum of five years of appropriate experience after registration is required, while Grade 3 requires at least ten years of such experience. Recognised foreign health professional council registration may be accepted for foreign-qualified employees. A valid driver’s licence is required, except for candidates with disabilities, and all applicants must be willing to work in a flexible or shift system, including after-hours duties.

The core duties involve rendering a comprehensive, high-quality clinical service to patients within the practitioner’s specialty. The successful candidate will coordinate clinical responsibilities with other staff and will supervise, instruct, and train medical interns, Medical Officers, and registrars. Administrative functions must be managed effectively, and the post also requires outreach and support services to other levels of care in the catchment area. The role includes active participation in academic activities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as formal training, mentoring, and monitoring of health workers at other care levels. Clinical governance for the discipline is a key responsibility, with a strong emphasis on putting effective mechanisms in place to ensure patient safety.

The ideal candidate will have sound clinical knowledge and skill in the required discipline, the ability to work after hours, and computer literacy including the collection and analysis of data. Strong medical ethics, rational use of resources, and the ability to conduct effective and efficient training and mentoring are also essential personal attributes. This is a senior professional post that combines hands-on patient care with academic leadership and service-wide quality improvement, making it suitable for a medical or dental specialist looking to contribute to public health service delivery and workforce development in Limpopo.