REGISTRAR (EMERGENCY MEDICINE) (X4 POSTS) (4-Year Contract)

The Western Cape Department of Health is advertising four fixed-term Registrar posts in Emergency Medicine, with three placements based at Groote Schuur Hospital and one at Mitchells Plain District Hospital. These are four-year contract appointments designed for medical practitioners who wish to pursue specialist training and ultimately achieve the MMed (Emergency Medicine) qualification through the designated university, the University of the Western Cape. Registrars appointed to these posts will form part of a structured academic and clinical training platform, and the department has indicated that all registrar appointments may be expected to rotate across a broader ecosystem of hospitals, including Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, New Somerset Hospital, Victoria Hospital, and George Provincial Hospital, as well as other facilities within Metro West and Rural East service areas. This rotation model is intended to provide a rich, varied training experience across different levels of care and patient populations.

Candidates must hold an appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Practitioner, and must already be registered with the HPCSA in the Independent Practice category. In addition, applicants must have completed the FCEM (SA) Part 1 examination and possess a valid Code B/EB driver’s licence. The role requires appropriate clinical experience in Emergency Medicine gained after registration as a medical practitioner, together with demonstrable professional conduct in dealing with all stakeholders. Evidence of administrative and medicolegal competence is also important, as is a commitment to the academic development of both oneself and others. Those who are not yet registered with the HPCSA may still apply, provided this is their first application for registration in the specific category; such candidates will only be considered if they submit proof of their registration application and payment of the prescribed fees on or before the day of the interview.

The duties of the post are broad and encompass clinical, academic and governance responsibilities. Registrars will provide emergency-related services to patients in designated service areas, ensuring effective and efficient care. They will also contribute to the teaching and training of Health Sciences students, provide supervision and in-service training to junior colleagues and other staff, and fully participate in the academic activities of the university as required by the regulations for the MMed (EM) programme. This includes academic teaching, training, research and involvement in departmental academic meetings. Corporate governance duties pertaining to services at the placement are also a key part of the role, as is maintaining sound medicolegal documentation and procedures.

The department operates within an Employment Equity framework, and these posts are part of a broader Affirmative Action programme intended to build a representative specialist cadre. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply and to indicate their status. Preference will be given to South African citizens or permanent residents with a valid identity document. Registrars will need to register as postgraduates with the University of the Western Cape, and appointment is contingent on maintaining that registration; if registration with the higher education institution is discontinued for any reason, the registrar appointment will also cease. The contract is for a maximum of four years, and existing employees who are appointed and who have higher salary packages may be allowed to retain their current salary level and continue to receive pay progression. Employees already in service who wish to preserve their pension benefits as registrars must resign after completing their registrarship if they are not appointed to advertised specialist positions. Applicants are also required to indicate any bursary obligations they may have. There is no fee payable for applying, and all appointments are subject to the department’s recruitment and selection procedures.