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

The Limpopo Department of Health is advertising a large-scale recruitment drive for sessional medical officers, with 151 positions available across all hospitals in the province. These are graded sessional posts, meaning practitioners are engaged on a session-by-session basis rather than as full-time employees, and the grade assigned depends on the candidate’s years of relevant experience after registration. The role is central to the delivery of clinical services in district hospitals, providing both routine and emergency medical care to patients of all ages and both sexes. Sessional officers are expected to integrate into the hospital’s existing medical team, supporting ward work, outpatient services, and after-hours coverage 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 be registered in that capacity. Experience requirements are tiered: Grade 1 is for those with less than five years of appropriate experience post-registration; Grade 2 requires at least five but less than ten years; and Grade 3 is for practitioners with ten or more years of recognised experience. All applicants must be South African citizens or permanent residents. Inherent to the job is a willingness to work shifts, flexible hours, night duty, weekends, and public holidays, as well as the ability to work extra hours on short notice and perform overtime when required. Commuted overtime may be approved by the Accounting Officer based on operational needs under the flexi/shift system. Computer literacy in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and virtual meeting platforms is essential, along with a valid driver’s licence. A skills declaration form must be attached to the application.

The duties are broad and clinically demanding. The medical officer will provide comprehensive clinical care, including emergency care, in designated areas, conduct ward rounds, and participate in outreach programmes and special events or operations across the province. They must respond to emergency calls within stipulated times, including during disasters or disaster management situations. Maintaining best clinical practice in line with quality standards is a core requirement, including ongoing professional development through the HPCSA’s CPD system. Accurate and complete clinical records must be generated and maintained. The officer will also take part in the department’s Quality Improvement Programme, ensure adherence to policies and procedures, conduct clinical audits, and engage 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, registrars, and other medical officers in one or more clinical areas. Additional duties may be allocated by the supervisor without boundary restrictions, reflecting the flexible nature of sessional service.

Candidates should possess sound clinical knowledge across general medicine, surgery, and anaesthetics, as well as a thorough understanding of the legal aspects of medical practice in South Africa. Leadership, communication, presentation, and budgeting skills are valued, along with the ability to collect and analyse data. Strong medical ethics and a commitment to clinical governance are non-negotiable. Personal attributes expected include integrity, professionalism, attention to detail, accountability, reliability, a proactive and results-oriented approach, calmness under pressure, adaptability, respectfulness, and diplomacy with stakeholders. The role demands a team player who can also act as a supportive leader, with a dedication to continuous learning and the Batho Pele principles of service delivery. These sessional positions offer an opportunity for qualified medical practitioners to contribute to public healthcare in Limpopo while earning sessional rates that vary by grade. Given the large number of posts, applicants are encouraged to apply to the hospital of their choice, as each facility manages its own recruitment process.