MEDICAL OFFICER: [SHIFTS] = [227] POSTS

The Limpopo Department of Health is advertising a large intake of Medical Officer posts under a shift-based employment model, with a total of 227 vacancies spread across multiple hospitals in the province. Successful applicants will be appointed at one of three levels — Grade 1, Grade 2, or Grade 3 — depending on the number of years of appropriate experience they hold after registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as independent medical practitioners. The posts are distributed among a wide range of hospitals, including tertiary, regional, and district facilities, from Pietersburg and Mankweng to smaller rural hospitals such as Evuxakeni, Hayani, and Witpoort. This is a large-scale recruitment drive aimed at strengthening medical services across Limpopo, and the roles are classified as shift posts, meaning incumbents must be available for night duty, weekends, and public holidays, as well as overtime when operational needs demand it.

To qualify, applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the HPCSA as an Independent Medical Practitioner, and they must currently be registered as such. For Grade 1, less than five years of relevant experience is required; Grade 2 calls for a minimum of five years; and Grade 3 requires at least ten years of experience after registration. Candidates must be South African citizens or permanent residents. Inherent requirements include a willingness to work flexible shifts and overtime, computer literacy in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and virtual meeting platforms, and a valid driver’s licence (except for applicants with disabilities). A skill declaration form must be attached to the application.

The successful candidates will need to demonstrate sound clinical knowledge and skills across general medicine, surgery, and anaesthesia for all age groups and sexes at district health services level. They should also possess good leadership, communication, presentation and budgeting skills, as well as the ability to collect and analyse data. A strong understanding of medical ethics, clinical governance, and the legal aspects of medical practice in South Africa is essential. The role requires the ability to work after hours independently and without supervision, and to use resources rationally.

Key performance areas include providing clinical care, including emergency care, in designated clinical areas; performing ward rounds; participating in outreach programmes; and rendering medical services at special events and operations across the province. Medical officers must respond to emergency calls within stipulated times, including in disaster situations, and maintain best clinical practice by engaging in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required by the HPCSA. They will generate and maintain clinical records to minimum standards, participate in quality improvement programmes, conduct clinical audits, and follow clinical protocols. They may also be required to supervise, instruct, and train junior medical officers and registrars, and to perform any other duties allocated by supervisors without boundary restrictions. This is an OSD-graded position offering an all-inclusive remuneration package with an additional rural allowance for qualifying candidates, and shift commuted overtime is approved by the Accounting Officer based on operational needs. These roles are ideal for medical professionals seeking stable employment in the public health sector with opportunities to serve communities across Limpopo.