REGISTRAR (MEDICAL FAMILY MEDICINE) (4-Year Contract) Central Karoo District

This position offers a unique opportunity for a qualified medical practitioner to specialise in Family Medicine while working within the Central Karoo District of the Western Cape Department of Health. The successful candidate will be stationed primarily at Beaufort West Hospital, with responsibilities extending to associated Primary Health Care centres and occasional short-term placements at George Regional Hospital as service needs arise. As a Registrar in Family Medicine, the role forms part of a structured four-year training contract designed to develop clinical expertise, teaching ability, research capacity, and leadership within a rural and community-oriented health setting. The post is ideal for a doctor seeking to combine advanced clinical training with meaningful service delivery across a diverse ecosystem of health facilities.

Applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that permits registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Medical Practitioner, and must already be registered with the HPCSA in Independent Practice. A valid code B/EB driver’s licence is an inherent requirement, along with a willingness to travel, work overtime, and participate in a system of remunerated commuted overtime. Candidates should also demonstrate computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and internet research, as well as excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal skills, and sound time management. Those who do not yet meet the registration requirement may still apply under a concession, provided they submit proof of application for first-time registration in the relevant category and proof of payment of the prescribed fees on or before the interview date.

The core duties are wide-ranging. The registrar will provide clinical services, including active participation in community-orientated primary care activities, and will contribute to the teaching programme through in-service capacity building of staff and supervision of health sciences students. Research and professional development are also central, with completion of an MMED mini dissertation expected. In addition, the role involves effective clinical administration, including maintaining patient records and reports as part of leadership and clinical governance activities. Registrars must register as postgraduates with an applicable Western Cape university, and are required to apply simultaneously to the relevant university when submitting their application. Should university registration be discontinued for any reason, the registrar appointment will also cease. The contract runs for a maximum of four years, and existing employees who are appointed may retain their current salary package if higher, with entitlement to pay progression. Those in service who continue pension benefits as a registrar must resign after completing the registrarship if they are not appointed to advertised specialist positions. Applicants must disclose any bursary obligations. The post may involve secondment or transfer to another hospital or institution during training, with consultation beforehand, and registrars are expected to render clinical services across facilities within the ecosystem as needed to sustain service delivery. Preference will be given to South African citizens or permanent residents with a valid identity document, and no payment of any kind is required when applying.