MEDICAL SPECIALIST: TRAUMA AND BURNS (5/8TH POST) REF NO: MEDSPECT&B/1/2026 (X1 POST) Department: Trauma and Burns Nature of Appointment: 5/8th

This position offers a specialist surgeon the opportunity to join the Department of Trauma and Burns at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, a major tertiary referral centre. The post is structured as a 5/8th appointment, meaning the incumbent will work a reduced schedule while contributing to a high-acuity clinical environment. The role sits within a multidisciplinary team that manages complex trauma and burn injuries, and it carries significant responsibility for clinical leadership, training, and research. The successful candidate will be expected to participate directly in clinical trauma and burns services, providing interdisciplinary in-house coordination of patient management. This includes being physically present when scene calls arrive and when unstable cases present, reflecting the demanding and time-sensitive nature of the work.

Applicants must hold an MBChB or equivalent qualification, together with an appropriate higher surgical qualification such as FCS(SA) and/or MMed Surg. They must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Trauma Surgeon and possess a Registration Certificate as a Specialist Trauma Surgeon. Additional desirable qualifications include eFAST, MIMMS, and/or ACLS/PALS, as well as DSTC or burns experience. Completion of Cert Trauma (SA) sub-specialist training is required, and preference will be given to candidates who have passed the Cert Trauma (SA) sub-specialist examination. The appointment level depends on experience: Grade 1 requires the Fellowship in Surgery of the College of Medicine of South Africa or equivalent, with registration as a specialist in surgery at commencement; Grade 2 requires five years of post-registration experience as a Medical Specialist in General Surgery; and Grade 3 requires ten years of such experience.

The core duties extend beyond direct patient care. The specialist will supervise surgical trainees rotating through the trauma and transplant units, ensuring the highest standards of clinical, professional, and ethical behaviour. Teaching is a key component, involving undergraduate medical students and postgraduate surgical trainees. The role also requires the incumbent to conduct, assist, and stimulate research within the ethical guidelines of the Health Care Act, and to promote education in trauma prevention and transplant community awareness. This combination of clinical, educational, and research responsibilities makes the post ideal for a surgeon seeking to influence trauma care at both institutional and community levels.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo two pre-entry assessments: a practical exercise and an integrity (ethical conduct) assessment, both of which are scored as additional criteria during the interview process. Applications must be submitted using the current Z83 form along with a detailed CV; certified copies of qualifications and other documents are only required from shortlisted candidates. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority before the interview. The selected candidate will also undergo pre-employment screening and verification, including a CIPC check. The hospital is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and people with disabilities and African males are encouraged to apply, while all race groups remain eligible.