MEDICAL SPECIALIST GRADE 1 TO 3 (PLASTIC SURGERY)

This position offers an opportunity for a qualified plastic surgeon to join the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Groote Schuur Hospital in Observatory, one of South Africa’s leading academic medical institutions. Appointed as a Medical Specialist from Grade 1 to Grade 3, depending on experience, the successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team delivering specialist care to patients referred from across the Western Cape and beyond. The role is based within the Western Cape Department of Health’s training platform, which means that, while the primary base is Groote Schuur Hospital, appointees may be called upon to rotate across partner facilities including Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, New Somerset Hospital, Mitchells Plain District Hospital, Victoria Hospital and George Provincial Hospital. This ecosystem approach is designed to strengthen service delivery and training across the region, so flexibility and willingness to work in different settings are important.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Specialist in Plastic Surgery, and must be registered with the HPCSA in that category. For those not yet registered, a concession exists: candidates may still apply provided they submit proof of application for registration and proof of payment of the prescribed fees to the relevant council 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, including those who need to change their registration status. In terms of experience, Grade 1 requires no post-registration experience, Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years of appropriate experience as a Medical Specialist after registration, and Grade 3 requires a minimum of ten years. For foreign-qualified employees, experience gained after registration with a recognised foreign health professional council will be considered.

The ideal candidate will be a team player with strong verbal and written communication skills, a solid academic record in teaching and research supported by publications and presentations, and a genuine commitment to advancing surgical skills, particularly in microsurgery. Computer literacy, including the ability to develop and work with databases, is essential, as are skills in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training. An inherent requirement of this post is that commuted overtime is compulsory, meaning the appointee must be available for after-hours and additional duties as required.

Key duties include working as part of a team to ensure continuous improvement in the quality, efficiency and outcomes of plastic surgery patients; managing the outpatient service; training undergraduate, postgraduate and elective students as well as allied health personnel; assisting with leadership and oversight of the day-to-day running of the division; and providing cross-cover for the plastic surgery service at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. The specialist will also actively participate in all academic activities of the division, including performing and overseeing research, and will assess, investigate and manage patients referred to the service from throughout the province and beyond.

Notably, no payment of any kind is required when applying for this post, and candidates are reminded to attach an updated CV. The package is structured according to the individual’s personal needs within the graded scale. This is a demanding but highly rewarding role within a world-renowned teaching hospital, offering the chance to shape patient care, train the next generation of surgeons, and contribute to meaningful research in plastic and reconstructive surgery.