Medical Officer Grade 1 to 3 (Orthopaedics) (Permanent position)

This is a permanent full-time post for a Medical Officer in Orthopaedics, based at New Somerset Hospital and falling under the Western Cape Department of Health. The position is graded at Levels 1 to 3, depending on the candidate’s years of appropriate experience, and the package may be structured partly to suit the individual’s personal needs. The role sits within a busy orthopaedic unit, where the incumbent will be expected to manage a high volume of patients in a high-pressure, high-stress environment, working as part of a multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the full spectrum of orthopaedic care, from outpatient and inpatient management to elective and emergency surgical procedures. In addition to direct clinical work, the role carries responsibility for clinical governance, teaching, research and innovation, and leadership within both the orthopaedic team and the wider hospital structure.

Applicants must hold a qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Practitioner. For South African qualified candidates, Grade 1 requires no post-registration experience, while foreign qualified applicants need one year of relevant experience if they are not required to perform community service in South Africa. Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years of appropriate experience for South African qualified doctors, or six years for foreign qualified doctors. Grade 3 requires ten years for South African qualified doctors and eleven years for foreign qualified doctors. There is also a concession for health professionals who do not yet have the stipulated registration: they may still apply, provided they submit proof of application for registration and proof of payment of the prescribed fees to the relevant council on or before the day of the interview. This concession applies only to those applying for registration in a specific category for the first time, or who need to change their registration status.

The ideal candidate must have appropriate experience in providing orthopaedic surgical services, be computer literate, and have suitable experience in research methodology. The role also demands strong teamwork skills, the capacity to perform under pressure, and a willingness to take on additional responsibilities. Inherent requirements include a valid Code B/EB driver’s licence, willingness to work overtime when required, and readiness to work at the relevant institutions on the rotation platform. Key duties include the clinical management of orthopaedic patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, providing operative care for elective and emergency cases, ensuring rational and cost-effective use of resources such as laboratory investigations, medications, consumables and equipment, and participating in formal and informal teaching of students. The incumbent will also be expected to contribute to innovation and research within the orthopaedic team and to provide leadership within the orthopaedic and hospital environment. This is a demanding but rewarding role for a dedicated medical professional seeking to advance their career in orthopaedic services within a public health setting.