This vacancy has closed. It closed on 28 August 2026 and is kept here for reference only.

MEDICAL OFFICER GRADE 1 TO 3 (CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY)

Department of Health

Salary: Grade 1: R1 041 402 per annum Grade 2: R1 188 255 per annum Grade 3: R1 375 245 per annum A portion of the package can be structured according to the individual's personal needs). (It will be expected of the successful candidate to participate in a system of remunerated commuted overtime)
Centre: Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory
Province: Western Cape
Closing date: 28 August 2026
Circular: No 29 of 2026

Requirements

Minimum educational qualification: Appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner. Registration with a professional council: Registration with the HPCSA as a 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 recognized 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 recognized 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. Inherent requirements of the job: Commuted overtime is compulsory. Participate in after-hours call roster for the general cardiothoracic surgery service. Competencies (knowledge/skills): Proven ability to manage cardiothoracic surgical patients. Sound clinical judgement in the peri operative and post-operative management of adult cardiac and thoracic surgery patients. Competence in ward-based patient care, emergency assessment, escalation of care, and coordination with ICU and theatre teams. Ability to work independently under senior supervision and to contribute effectively to a consultant led service. Capacity to manage service demands, including after hours emergencies and time critical referrals. Computer literacy, with the ability to maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service audits. Understanding of the operational challenges of public health care delivery, transformation, equity, and service sustainability. Ability to function effectively in a high-pressure clinical environment is essential. Completion of Internship and Community Service. Previous experience in General Surgery and ICU.

Duties

Delivery of day to day clinical services within the Cardiothoracic Surgery service of the Chris Barnard Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Comprehensive inpatient ward management, including admissions, daily reviews, discharges, and coordination of care. Participation in theatre lists and assistance with operative procedures as required by service demands. Management of emergency cardiothoracic referrals and after hours clinical responsibilities. Participation in outpatient clinics and pre operative patient assessment. Contribution to morbidity and mortality meetings and service audits as required. Upholding professional, ethical, and patient centered standards of care. Clinical workload includes ward management, peri operative care, emergency consultations, outpatient clinics, and assistance in theatre. High service burden with exposure to complex adult cardiac and thoracic pathology typical of a tertiary referral centre.

Where to send your application

Applications are submitted online via www.westerncape.gov.za/health-jobs (click “online applications”).

Enquiries

Prof Timothy Pennel, Email: tim.pennel@uct.ac.za

Note

No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post. Candidates who are not in possession of the stipulated registration requirements, may also apply. Such candidates will only be considered for appointment on condition that proof of application for registration with the relevant council and proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees to the relevant council are submitted on or before the day of the interview. This concession is only applicable on health professionals who apply for the first time for registration in a specific category with the relevant council (including individuals who must apply for change in registration status). Groote Schuur Hospital has adopted the department’s ecosystem framing of its training platform. Accordingly, all medical officer appointments may be called upon to work across this platform and may include rotations at Metro West and Rural East hospitals. This includes Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, New Somerset Hospital, Mitchells Plein District Hospital, Victoria Hospital and George Provincial Hospital. Please ensure that you attach an updated CV. The post is primarily service delivery orientated, with limited protected time for academic or research activities.

Taken from Public Service Vacancy Circular 29 of 2026, published by the Department of Public Service and Administration on 14 August 2026. Open the PDF to check this post against the original. Last checked 9 September 2026.

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