MEDICAL SPECIALIST: PAEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY (X1 POST)

This position offers a specialist paediatrician the opportunity to focus on the subspecialty of paediatric pulmonology at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), a major tertiary referral centre. The successful candidate will join a dedicated team managing complex respiratory conditions in children, working across general paediatric wards, high care and intensive care units. The role is graded according to the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for medical specialists, with appointment possible at Grade 1, Grade 2 or Grade 3 depending on the candidate’s years of appropriate post-registration experience. This is a full-time clinical and academic post that requires both advanced patient care and a strong commitment to teaching and training.

Applicants must hold an MBChB degree and be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Specialist in Paediatrics, with additional sub-specialist registration in Paediatric Pulmonology. For appointment at Grade 1, no prior specialist experience is required. Grade 2 requires five years of appropriate experience as a Medical Specialist after HPCSA registration in Paediatrics, while Grade 3 requires ten years of such experience. The ideal candidate will have broad knowledge of general paediatrics and medical ethics, excellent communication and supervisory skills, and the ability to work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams. Familiarity with the procedures and management protocols specific to paediatric pulmonology is essential, along with the capacity to assess, diagnose and manage patients appropriately. Personal attributes such as stress tolerance, self-confidence, teamwork and relationship-building are also important.

The core duties are wide-ranging and clinically demanding. The specialist will undertake ward rounds in the paediatric pulmonology unit, high care unit and intensive care unit, and will be expected to perform bronchoscopy, analyse lung function tests, evaluate advanced pulmonology investigations, and insert invasive monitoring devices in critically ill children. The role includes consulting on referrals of children with acute and chronic respiratory disorders, as well as performing after-hours calls in pulmonology and the paediatric ICU/HCU. Teaching is a central responsibility: the post involves training fellows in subspecialty pulmonology, teaching undergraduate medical students, and training postgraduate students such as registrars and medical officers in child health. The specialist will also undertake outreach to tertiary and regional hospitals, engage with the community, and participate in clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to complete two pre-entry assessments, one practical and one integrity-based, and these will be scored as part of the interview process. Applicants must complete the current Z83 application form and submit a detailed CV, while certified copies of qualifications and registration are only required from shortlisted candidates. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA before the interview. The selected candidate will undergo pre-employment screening and verification. The hospital is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and encourages people with disabilities and African males to apply, while all race groups remain eligible.