MEDICAL OFFICER GRADE 1 TO 3 (PSYCHIATRY) (5/8TH)

This position is a Medical Officer Grade 1 to 3 post in Psychiatry, based at New Somerset Hospital under the Metro Health Services directorate in the Western Cape. The post is structured as a 5/8th appointment, meaning the successful candidate will work a reduced schedule equivalent to five-eighths of a full-time post, while still playing a key role in the hospital’s psychiatric service delivery. The role is graded within the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for medical officers, allowing appointment at Grade 1, 2, or 3 depending on the candidate’s level of relevant experience after registration as a Medical Practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). For South African qualified applicants, Grade 1 requires no post-registration experience, Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years, and Grade 3 requires ten years. Foreign-qualified applicants who are exempt from community service in South Africa need one, six, or eleven years of relevant experience for Grades 1, 2, and 3 respectively.

The core purpose of the role is to provide a high-quality clinical psychiatric service to patients and their families within a district and regional hospital setting. The incumbent will be expected to work as part of a professional multi-disciplinary team, offering comprehensive psychiatric care and ensuring good clinical outcomes. Key duties include supervising medical interns to maintain quality of care, interacting with and supervising nursing staff, allied health professionals, and students, and providing informal teaching and training to junior staff during routine clinical work. The role also involves clinical teaching of undergraduate medical students and nurses, as well as the effective and efficient administration of clinical services, including the administration of medical officer rosters. The successful candidate must be committed to continuous professional development through regular self-learning, reflection, and the application of current evidence-based practice.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Practitioner and must be registered with the HPCSA in that category. A valid registration is an inherent requirement, although a concession exists for first-time applicants who have applied for registration and can provide proof of application and payment of the prescribed fees on or before the interview date. Inherent to the job is a willingness to provide after-hours emergency services on a duty roster, including weekends and public holidays. Desirable competencies include clinical experience in a district or regional hospital providing comprehensive psychiatric care, post-internship experience in psychiatry under the onsite supervision of a registered psychiatrist, and practical experience with the completion of Mental Health Care Act (MHCA) forms. The ability to achieve and maintain good interpersonal relations with staff, patients, and families is essential, as are empathy, advocacy for patients, and a holistic approach to treatment. Strong administrative, communication, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills are also required, along with completion of or exemption from South African community service.

This is an excellent opportunity for a medical practitioner seeking to specialise in psychiatry within a public hospital environment, offering both clinical and teaching experience. No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post. Enquiries may be directed to Dr. T.N. Mangozho via the provided email address. The post is advertised under the specified circular, and interested candidates should take careful note of the closing date and application instructions as outlined in the full vacancy notice.