MEDICAL OFFICER GRADE 1-3 (X2 POSTS)

This position offers qualified medical practitioners the opportunity to serve at John Daniel Newberry Hospital as a Medical Officer on a grade 1, 2, or 3 level, depending on their experience. The hospital is the designated centre for these two posts, and the role sits within the broader public health service environment, with the employing department being the Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport. The core purpose of the role is to deliver competent, comprehensive medical care to all patients, ensuring that both acute and chronic conditions are properly managed. The successful candidates will be expected to work as part of a clinical team, providing outpatient and inpatient services, and to take on after-hours responsibilities through compulsory commuted overtime, which is a non-negotiable requirement of the post.

To be considered, applicants must have a Matric certificate and an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner in Independent Practice. Current annual registration with the HPCSA is also essential. The required experience varies according to the grade being applied for. For Grade 1, South African qualified employees need no experience after registration, while foreign qualified employees who are not required to perform community service in South Africa need one year of relevant experience. Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years of appropriate experience for South African qualified employees, or six years for foreign qualified employees in the same category. Grade 3 demands at least ten years of appropriate experience for South African qualified employees, or eleven years for foreign qualified employees. In all cases, the experience must be post-registration as a Medical Practitioner.

Candidates must also demonstrate extensive knowledge of Public Service legislation, policies, and procedures, along with excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write reports and medico-legal reports. Strong interpersonal skills, honesty, integrity, and a sound work ethic are essential personal attributes. The main duties include managing all medical conditions to ensure a high standard of patient care, supervising and training junior staff to perform key medical interventions, consulting patients on an outpatient basis for optimal chronic disease management and long-term follow-up, and providing patients and their relatives with clear information on prevention, treatment, operative procedures, complications, and rehabilitation. The role also requires a commitment to developing skills in resuscitative measures and intensive care treatment to improve survival outcomes for critically ill patients.

The remuneration package is all-inclusive, structured with a basic salary and a flexible portion that can be arranged according to applicable rules, with medical aid optional. Successful candidates will be required to enter into an employment contract and a performance agreement within three months of appointment, and to undergo a security clearance. Shortlisted candidates will also be required to complete two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise to determine suitability based on the technical and generic requirements of the post, and an integrity assessment. Applicants must take care to complete the application process correctly, using the new Z83 form and a comprehensive CV, as only shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit certified copies of qualifications and other documents. Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by a SAQA evaluation certificate, and dual citizens or non-South African citizens may need to provide additional documentation if shortlisted. The department reserves the right not to make an appointment, and correspondence will be limited to shortlisted candidates only.