MEDICAL OFFICER GRADE 1 TO 3 (TRAUMA CENTRE) (1-Year Contract)

This position offers a medical professional the opportunity to join the Trauma Centre at Groote Schuur Hospital in Observatory as a Medical Officer on a one-year contract. The role is graded at levels 1 to 3 and forms part of an environment where clinical excellence, teaching and research are valued. In line with the department’s ecosystem approach to its training platform, appointees may be expected to work across the broader health platform, including possible rotations at Metro West and Rural East hospitals. These could include facilities such as Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, New Somerset Hospital, Mitchells Plain District Hospital, Victoria Hospital and George Provincial Hospital. The post therefore calls for flexibility, teamwork and a commitment to delivering high-quality trauma care across different settings.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that permits registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner, and must be registered with the HPCSA in that capacity. Experience requirements are tiered by grade. For Grade 1, no post-registration experience is required for South African qualified employees, while foreign qualified employees need at least one year of relevant experience after registration with a recognised foreign health professional council. Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years’ appropriate experience for South African qualified employees, or six years for foreign qualified employees. Grade 3 requires at least ten years’ appropriate experience for South African qualified employees, or eleven years for foreign qualified employees. In addition, the job has inherent requirements that include Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) certification, compulsory commuted overtime, and participation in the after-hours call system. Successful candidates will need strong airway skills, the ability to resuscitate severely injured patients, and the capacity to conduct research. They must also work effectively as part of a trauma team, demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the medical care of high care trauma patients, and ideally possess basic surgical skills, an ultrasound course qualification, and certifications in PALS, BLS and ACLS. Sufficient clinical experience since obtaining the MBChB degree, completion of Community Service, and prior trauma experience are also expected.

The duties of the post are broad and include leadership within the trauma unit, teaching of junior staff and students, contributing to innovation and research, and participating in clinical governance activities. The core clinical service work involves direct patient care and assisting in theatre, ensuring that trauma patients receive timely, appropriate and effective treatment. This is a demanding but rewarding role suited to a medical officer who is ready to take on responsibility in a high-pressure environment.

Notably, no payment of any kind is required when applying for this post. Candidates who do not yet hold the stipulated registration may also apply, but they will only be considered for appointment on condition that they submit proof of application for registration with the relevant council, along with proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees, on or before the day of the interview. This concession applies only to health professionals applying for the first time for registration in a specific category. Applicants are reminded to attach an updated CV as part of their application. This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated medical officer to gain advanced trauma experience within a leading academic hospital while contributing to the wider regional health platform.