About the Role
The Department of Health is seeking a dedicated Medical Officer Grade 1 to 3 (Psychiatry) to join the team at New Somerset Hospital in Cape Town. This vital role is essential for providing high-quality clinical services to patients and their families, ensuring that mental health care is delivered effectively and compassionately to the community. As part of a professional team, you will be instrumental in the supervision of medical interns and the nurturing of junior staff, fostering an environment of learning and growth.
In this position, you will not only engage with patients but also collaborate with nursing staff and allied professionals, making a meaningful impact on the mental health landscape in the area. Your expertise will help in teaching undergraduate medical students, thus shaping the future of healthcare professionals in South Africa. This role is not just about treating patients; it’s about advocating for their well-being and promoting holistic treatment approaches that cater to all aspects of mental health.
About the Department
The Department of Health is committed to improving health outcomes for all South Africans through a comprehensive approach to healthcare service delivery. With a focus on accessibility and quality, the department plays a crucial role in addressing public health challenges and enhancing the capacity of healthcare professionals. Working here means being part of a mission that prioritizes the health and well-being of communities across the nation, ensuring that every individual receives the care they deserve.
What You’ll Do
- Deliver high-quality clinical psychiatric services to patients and their families.
- Supervise and mentor medical interns, ensuring optimal clinical outcomes.
- Collaborate with nursing staff and allied professionals to enhance patient care.
- Provide informal teaching and training to junior staff during clinical work.
- Conduct clinical teaching sessions for undergraduate medical students and nursing staff.
- Manage administrative tasks related to clinical services, including medical officer rosters.
- Engage in continuous professional development through self-learning and reflection.
What You’ll Need
- A qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner.
- Registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Practitioner.
- For Grade 1: No experience required post-registration for SA-qualified applicants; at least 1 year of relevant experience for foreign-qualified applicants.
- For Grade 2: Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Medical Practitioner for SA-qualified applicants, or a minimum of 6 years for foreign-qualified applicants.
- For Grade 3: A minimum of 10 years’ experience as a Medical Practitioner for SA-qualified applicants, or a minimum of 11 years for foreign-qualified applicants.
- Willingness to provide after-hours emergency services and participate in weekend and public holiday duties.
- Strong competencies in clinical practice, administration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
How to Apply
Please submit your application before the closing date as late applications will not be considered.
Requirements
Minimum educational qualification: Appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as Medical Practitioner.Registration with a professional council: Registration with the HPCSA as Medical Practitioner.
Experience: Grade 1: None after registration as Medical Practitioner with the HPCSA in respect of SA-qualified employees.
1-year relevant experience after registration as Medical Practitioner with a recognised foreign Health Professional Council in respect of foreign-qualified employees, of whom it is not required to perform community service as required in South Africa.
Grade 2: A minimum of 5 years’ appropriate experience as Medical Practitioner after registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Practitioner in respect of SA-qualified employees.
A minimum of 6 years’ relevant experience after registration as Medical Practitioner with a recognised foreign Health Professional Council in respect of foreign-qualified employees, of whom it is not required to perform community service as required in South Africa.
Grade 3: A minimum of 10 years’ appropriate experience as a Medical Practitioner after registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Practitioner in respect of SA-qualified employees.
A minimum of 11 years’ relevant experience after registration as Medical Practitioner with a recognised foreign Health Professional Council in respect of foreign-qualified employees, of whom it is not required to perform community service as 182 required in South Africa.
Inherent requirements of the job: Applicants must be willing to provide after-hours emergency service on a duty roster.
Willingness to participate in after hour duties – including weekends and public holidays.
Competencies (knowledge/skills): Clinical experience in a district or regional hospital providing comprehensive psychiatric care.
Ability to work in a professional team.
Post-internship experience in psychiatry (under onsite supervision of a registered psychiatrist), including clinical experience with completion of MHCA forms.
Ability to achieve and maintain good interpersonal relations with staff, patients and their families.
Completion of /or exemption from South African Community Service.
Good interpersonal, administrative, communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Display empathy for patients, promote advocacy and facilitate holistic treatment.
Good time management.
Job Duties
Provide a high-quality clinical service to patients and their families.Supervision of medical interns to ensure quality of care and good clinical outcomes.
Interaction with (and supervision of where necessary) nursing staff, allied professionals and students.
Informal teaching and training of junior staff in the course of clinical work.
Clinical teaching of undergraduate medical students and nurses.
Effective and efficient administration of clinical services.
Administration of medical officer rosters.
Improve professional competence by regular self-learning and reflection with the application of current evidence.
