MEDICAL SPECIALIST GRADE 1 – 3 OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY

This vacancy is for a Medical Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Pholosong Regional Hospital, advertised within the Directorate: Medical as a single post. The position is graded at Medical Specialist Grade 1, Grade 2 or Grade 3 level under the Occupational Specific Dispensation, allowing suitably experienced candidates to be appointed at the appropriate grade based on their years of post-registration specialist experience. The incumbent will join the hospital's obstetrics and gynaecology department as a senior clinical specialist, providing comprehensive services, leading clinical governance, and supporting the Head of Department in planning and service delivery.

Candidates must hold a Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or equivalent, an MBChB/MBBCh or equivalent medical degree, and an MMed in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and/or be admitted as a fellow of the relevant College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Current registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology is essential. For appointment at Grade 1, no post-registration specialist experience is required. Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years' appropriate experience after HPCSA registration, while Grade 3 requires ten years. Applicants should have sound specialist knowledge and clinical competence across the full spectrum of the discipline, including high-risk pregnancies, obstetric emergencies, complicated deliveries, gynaecological emergencies and common gynaecological conditions. Strong operative and surgical skills are expected, and experience or competency in colposcopy and minimally invasive gynaecological surgery will be an added advantage. Knowledge of clinical governance, patient safety, quality improvement, maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality review processes, clinical audit and medico-legal risk management is required, along with familiarity with relevant healthcare legislation, policies, clinical guidelines and Public Service prescripts. The successful candidate must also demonstrate leadership, supervisory, teaching, communication, problem-solving and multidisciplinary teamwork skills, as well as computer literacy in Microsoft Office applications.

The duties are broad and senior in nature. The specialist will provide comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, emergency, theatre and after-hours clinical services, manage complicated obstetric and gynaecological cases, and offer senior specialist consultation and decision-making for high-risk and critically ill patients. They will provide specialist oversight of the labour ward, maternity, antenatal, gynaecology, theatre and relevant outpatient services, ensuring timely review and escalation of high-risk patients. They will perform and supervise obstetric and gynaecological surgical procedures within their scope of practice and contribute to the development of specialised services such as colposcopy and minimally invasive gynaecological surgery. Clinical leadership is central to the role: the specialist will supervise and mentor Medical Officers, Registrars, Interns, Community Service Medical Officers and other members of the multidisciplinary team, and participate in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, bedside training, clinical meetings and continuing professional development.

The post also carries significant governance and quality responsibilities. The specialist will participate actively in clinical governance and patient safety, including maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality reviews, near-miss reviews, clinical audits, adverse-event investigations and quality-improvement interventions. They will identify clinical risks and implement corrective measures to improve maternal, neonatal and gynaecological outcomes, and help reduce medico-legal risk through appropriate specialist oversight, timely escalation of care, adherence to evidence-based guidelines, effective communication and comprehensive clinical documentation. The role includes developing, reviewing and implementing departmental clinical protocols, standard operating procedures and referral pathways in line with national, provincial and institutional guidelines, and supporting the Head of Department in planning, organising, monitoring and evaluating Obstetrics and Gynaecology services. The specialist will also promote the cost-effective use of medicines, blood products, laboratory investigations, diagnostic imaging, theatre resources and medical equipment, and participate in monitoring clinical indicators such as maternal and perinatal outcomes, obstetric complications, caesarean section trends and adverse events. Strengthening continuity of care and referral pathways between Pholosong Regional Hospital, referring clinics, district services and relevant tertiary institutions is another key responsibility, alongside participation in research, clinical audits and evidence-based practice.

A compulsory inherent requirement of the post is participation in the hospital's after-hours call system, including commuted overtime in accordance with applicable policies and prescripts. Enquiries for this position may be directed to Dr M.T Tsumele at the hospital.