Medical Specialist Grade 1 to 3 (Psychiatry) (Permanent position)

This permanent position offers a Medical Specialist in Psychiatry the opportunity to work at Khayelitsha District Hospital within the Chief Directorate of Metro Health Services, with appointment possible at Grade 1, Grade 2, or Grade 3 depending on the candidate’s level of post-registration experience. The post is linked to the broader Ecosystem Services platform, which means the successful incumbent should expect to render clinical services across institutions within the ecosystem as needed to sustain health service delivery. This reflects a modern, integrated approach to public sector mental health care, where specialists are not confined to a single facility but contribute to a network of district-hospital-level services, referral facilities, and related structures.

In terms of qualifications, applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Specialist in Psychiatry. Experience requirements are graded: Grade 1 requires no experience after registration, Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years of appropriate experience as a Medical Specialist in Psychiatry after registration with the HPCSA or a recognised foreign health professional council, and Grade 3 requires a minimum of ten years of such experience. Candidates who do not yet possess the stipulated registration may still apply under a concession, provided they submit proof of application for registration and proof of payment of the prescribed registration 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.

The core duties are broad and demanding. The specialist will deliver clinical services at specialist level across the full spectrum of district-level psychiatry, including inpatient wards, outpatient departments, the Emergency Centre, and specialised clinics at Khayelitsha District Hospital. Administrative and clinical governance responsibilities include leadership, people management processes, OPD management, data analysis, and quality improvement. Teaching, training, and supervision of junior medical staff and students form a significant part of the role, alongside participation in the hospital’s academic programme and outreach supervision to primary health care nurse practitioners. The post also requires active participation within the KESS ecosystem, including alignment with district-hospital-level services, referral facilities, and liaison with the Mental Health Care Review Board.

Candidates should possess clinical experience in psychiatry at district level services and clinical primary health care, with the ability to render high-quality specialist care in both in-patient and out-patient settings. Sound legislative and policy knowledge, excellent medical record keeping, report writing skills, and computer literacy are essential. The role demands the ability to balance a large clinical workload with teaching and supervisory obligations, as well as strong administrative, managerial, communication, and conflict resolution skills. This is an OSD-graded post, and a portion of the remuneration package can be structured according to the individual’s personal needs. No payment of any kind is required when applying, and candidates will be subjected to a written or practical assessment as well as an oral assessment as part of the selection process.