MEDICAL OFFICER: GRADE 1 – 3 [SESSIONAL] = 151 POSITIONS

The Department of Health in Limpopo Province is recruiting a large cohort of sessional medical officers, with 151 positions available across all hospitals in the province. These are graded posts ranging from Grade 1 through Grade 3, and they offer sessional (per-session) remuneration rather than a fixed monthly salary. The successful incumbents will be deployed to any of the listed hospitals, which include major regional facilities as well as district and specialised institutions such as MDR TB hospitals. This is a broad, high-volume recruitment drive aimed at strengthening the clinical workforce at public health facilities throughout Limpopo, and candidates must be willing to serve at any of these centres as operational needs dictate.

To be considered, applicants must hold a qualification that permits registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an Independent Medical Practitioner, and they must currently hold that registration. The grade at which an applicant is appointed depends on years of appropriate and recognisable experience after registration: Grade 1 is for those with less than five years, Grade 2 for five to less than ten years, and Grade 3 for ten years or more. All applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents. Additionally, candidates must possess a valid driver’s licence, be computer literate in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and be proficient in virtual meeting platforms. A skills declaration form must be attached with the application. Crucially, the role demands flexibility: willingness to work shifts, flexi hours, night duty, weekends, public holidays, extra hours on short notice, and overtime as approved by the Accounting Officer. The ability to work under pressure and independently, including after hours without supervision, is essential.

The key performance areas for these sessional medical officers are comprehensive and clinically demanding. They will provide clinical care, including emergency care, in designated areas, commensurate with the requirements for maintaining HPCSA registration. This includes performing ward rounds, participating in outreach programmes, and delivering medical services at special events or during provincial operations. They must respond to all emergency calls within stipulated times, including during disasters or disaster management situations. Maintaining best clinical practice according to quality standards is paramount, which means engaging in Continuous Professional Development as required by the HPCSA, generating and maintaining accurate clinical records, and participating in the department’s quality improvement programmes. They will also conduct clinical audits, ensure clinical protocols are followed, and take part in continuing medical education and academic activities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Where required, they will supervise, instruct, and train medical interns, community service officers, and registrars in their designated clinical areas. They must also perform any other duties allocated by their supervisor, without boundary restrictions, within the province.

Applicants should possess sound clinical knowledge spanning general medical, surgical, and anaesthetic care for all age groups and sexes at district health services level. They need a solid grasp of the legal aspects of medical practice in South Africa, sound medical ethics, and knowledge of clinical governance. Good leadership, communication, presentation, and budgeting skills are also expected, along with the ability to collect and analyse data. Personal attributes such as integrity, professionalism, attention to detail, accountability, reliability, calmness under pressure, adaptability, respectfulness, and a team-player mentality are essential. The department is seeking individuals who are proactive, results-orientated, and committed to continuous learning and the Batho Pele principles of service delivery. This is an OSD-graded sessional post, and while the exact rates are not restated here, candidates should note that the grade determines the session rate. Given the volume of positions, interested medical practitioners are encouraged to apply directly to their preferred hospital, using the contact details and application links provided in the original advertisement. This is a significant opportunity for medical professionals at various career stages to contribute to public healthcare in Limpopo.