MEDICAL SPECIALIST GRADE 1 TO 3 (PSYCHIATRY)

This vacancy is for a Medical Specialist in Psychiatry, graded at levels 1 through 3, based at Khayelitsha District Hospital under the Metro Health Services directorate of the Western Cape Department of Health. The post forms part of the broader Ecosystem Services platform, meaning the successful candidate will be expected to provide clinical services not only at Khayelitsha District Hospital but also across other institutions within the ecosystem as needed to sustain health service delivery. This is a specialist-level clinical position within a district hospital setting, where the incumbent will be responsible for the full spectrum of psychiatric care.

To be considered, applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Specialist in Psychiatry, and must be registered with the HPCSA in that category. Experience requirements are linked to the grade: Grade 1 requires no post-registration experience, Grade 2 requires a minimum of five years of appropriate experience as a Medical Specialist in Psychiatry after registration, and Grade 3 requires a minimum of ten years of such experience. Recognised foreign health professional council registration is accepted for the experience requirement in respect of foreign-qualified employees. Candidates who do not yet possess the stipulated registration may also apply, but only on condition that they submit proof of application for registration with the relevant council and 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, including those who need to change their registration status.

The role demands strong clinical experience in psychiatry at district level services and clinical primary health care. The incumbent must be able to deliver high-quality specialist-level care in both in-patient and out-patient settings, with sound knowledge of legislation and policy, meticulous medical record keeping, report writing ability, and computer literacy. Given the large clinical workload, the position requires the ability to balance service delivery with the teaching and supervisory responsibilities attached to the post. Strong administrative, managerial, communication and conflict resolution skills are essential.

Key duties include clinical service delivery at specialist level across the full spectrum of district-level psychiatry, covering wards, outpatients, the Emergency Centre and specialised clinics at Khayelitsha District Hospital. The incumbent will also handle administrative and clinical governance functions, including leadership, people management processes, OPD management, data analysis and quality improvement. Teaching, training and supervision of junior medical staff and students form a core part of the role, along with participation in the hospital academic programme and outreach supervision to primary health care nurse practitioners. The post also requires participation within the KESS ecosystem, including alignment with district-hospital-level services, referral facilities and Mental Health Care Review Board liaison.

This is an OSD-graded position, 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 for this post. Candidates will be subjected to a written or practical and oral assessment as part of the selection process. Enquiries may be directed to the contact person listed, and the closing date is as indicated in the advertisement.