Medical Officer Grade 1 to 3 (Sessional) (12 hours per week) (Contact till 31 March 2029) (Contract position)

This position offers an opportunity for qualified medical practitioners to join the Western Cape Department of Health as a sessional Medical Officer within the Drakenstein Sub-district, part of the Cape Winelands Health District. The role is a contract post, working 12 hours per week, and is expected to continue until 31 March 2029. It is graded at Medical Officer levels 1 through 3, with the specific grade determined by the applicant’s level of post-registration experience. The successful candidate will be based in the primary healthcare environment and will play a key role in delivering clinical services across the sub-district, including outreach to clinics in areas such as Saron and Gouda.

To be considered, applicants must hold a qualification that permits registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner. Current registration with the HPCSA is required, though there is a concession for first-time registrants: candidates who have not yet obtained registration may apply, provided they submit proof of application for registration and proof of payment of the prescribed fees on or before the interview date. This concession applies only to health professionals applying for the first time for registration in a specific category, including those changing registration status. Experience requirements vary by grade. For South African qualified employees, Grade 1 requires no experience after registration, Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years’ appropriate experience, and Grade 3 requires ten years. For foreign-qualified applicants who are exempt from community service, the requirements are one, six, and eleven years of relevant experience respectively.

The core duties involve providing quality outpatient care to patients at Drakenstein Sub-district primary healthcare facilities. The incumbent will also deliver an outreach and support service to these facilities, including the more remote Saron and Gouda clinics, and will be expected to guide and support healthcare colleagues in managing difficult primary care cases. Active participation in skills transfer, training, and academic activities is a key responsibility, as is involvement in the clinical governance of the sub-district’s facilities. There are no compulsory commuted overtime duties attached to this post.

Inherent requirements include possession of a valid driver’s licence and the willingness and ability to travel to clinics throughout the sub-district for outreach services. The ideal candidate will have sound knowledge of general medical and surgical conditions at both hospital and primary healthcare levels, as well as familiarity with South African TB and HIV care guidelines. Strong clinical skills, computer literacy in programmes such as MS Excel, Word, and Outlook, and good interpersonal, organisational, and teamwork abilities are essential. The post is remunerated on an hourly basis with an additional payment in lieu of service benefits, and no payment of any kind is required when applying. This is a contract position, so interested practitioners should be prepared for a fixed-term engagement with a focus on community-oriented primary healthcare delivery.