District: Garden Route District, Western Cape
Centres: Various Institutions (George, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn Sub-Districts, NHI Project Sites)
Employment Type: Contract Appointment (20 Sessions per Week)
Contract Duration: Until 31 March 2027
Closing Date: 09 January 2026
Salary Structure (Hourly Rates)
Salary placement will be determined according to verified years of appropriate experience and in line with applicable public service remuneration policies.
- Medical Officer Grade 1: R482 per hour
- Medical Officer Grade 2: R550 per hour
- Medical Officer Grade 3: R636 per hour
About the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is responsible for providing accessible, equitable, and high-quality healthcare services to the residents of the province. The Department operates through an integrated district health system that focuses on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and health promotion.
The Garden Route District serves a diverse population across urban, peri-urban, and rural communities. Healthcare delivery in this district requires skilled medical practitioners who are adaptable, committed to public service, and capable of working within multidisciplinary healthcare teams. The Department is committed to strengthening primary healthcare, improving hospital services, and supporting national health priorities, including the implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) initiatives.
Purpose of the Position
The purpose of the Medical Officer Grade 1–3 position is to provide comprehensive, evidence-based, and patient-centred medical care within Primary Healthcare (PHC) and hospital facilities in the Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts. The incumbent will also contribute to outreach services, clinical governance, training, and capacity building within the district health services.
Medical Officers appointed to this post will play a key role in improving patient outcomes, supporting healthcare colleagues, and ensuring that clinical services are delivered in accordance with national guidelines and professional standards.
Key Responsibilities
The successful candidates will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:
- Provide high-quality outpatient and inpatient medical care at Primary Healthcare clinics and district hospital facilities.
- Diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of general medical and surgical conditions at PHC and hospital level.
- Deliver comprehensive, patient-centred clinical services in line with approved national and provincial clinical guidelines.
- Provide outreach and support services to PHC facilities throughout the Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts.
- Offer clinical guidance and mentorship to healthcare colleagues when managing complex or difficult PHC cases.
- Manage and treat patients with TB, HIV (including paediatric HIV), and Drug-Resistant TB in accordance with South African treatment guidelines.
- Participate actively in clinical governance activities, including audits, quality improvement initiatives, and morbidity and mortality reviews.
- Contribute to skills transfer, in-service training, and academic or educational activities relevant to the post.
- Ensure accurate, complete, and timeous clinical documentation and medico-legal records.
- Promote cost-effective clinical practices, including the rational use of laboratory investigations, medicines, blood products, consumables, and medical equipment.
- Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure continuity of care.
Minimum Requirements
- Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered:
- Educational Qualification: An appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner.
- Professional Registration: Registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Practitioner.
Experience Requirements:
- Medical Officer Grade 1
- No post-registration experience required for South African qualified Medical Practitioners.
- A minimum of one (1) year relevant experience after registration with a recognised foreign Health Professional Council for foreign-qualified applicants who are not required to perform Community Service in South Africa.
- Medical Officer Grade 2
- A minimum of five (5) years appropriate experience after registration with the HPCSA for South African qualified applicants.
- A minimum of six (6) years relevant experience for foreign-qualified applicants under the same conditions.
- Medical Officer Grade 3
- A minimum of ten (10) years appropriate experience after registration with the HPCSA for South African qualified applicants.
- A minimum of eleven (11) years relevant experience for foreign-qualified applicants under the same conditions.
Inherent Requirements of the Job
- A valid driver’s licence (Code B/EB).
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts.
- Flexibility to work across multiple healthcare facilities based on service delivery needs.
Knowledge and Competencies
- The ideal candidates should demonstrate the following competencies and skills:
- Sound knowledge of general medical and surgical conditions at PHC and district hospital level.
- Knowledge of South African TB and HIV care guidelines, including paediatric HIV and Drug-Resistant TB management.
- Strong clinical assessment, diagnostic, and decision-making skills.
- Experience in primary healthcare service delivery within a district health system.
- Computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and electronic health record systems.
- Good interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- Willingness to participate in outreach services and mentor healthcare colleagues.
- High levels of professionalism, ethical conduct, and accountability.
Why Join the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
- Employment within the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to public healthcare delivery. Benefits of this position include:
- The opportunity to serve diverse communities within the Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts.
- Exposure to a well-structured district health system.
- Participation in clinical governance, training, and skills development initiatives.
- The opportunity to contribute to NHI-aligned service delivery models.
- A professional working environment that supports continuous learning and teamwork.
Conditions of Employment
- Appointment will be on a contract basis until 31 March 2027.
- Successful candidates may be required to undergo verification processes, including qualification and professional registration checks.
- The pool of applications may be used to fill similar vacancies within the Garden Route District for a period of three (3) months from the date of the advertisement.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online only via the Western Cape Government Health Jobs portal:
- Website: www.westerncape.gov.za/health-jobs – (Select “Online Applications”)
Important Notes
- No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post.
- Candidates who do not yet meet the registration requirements may apply, provided that proof of application for registration and proof of payment of the prescribed registration fees are submitted on or before the interview date.
- This concession applies only to first-time applicants for registration in a specific category or for changes in registration status.
- Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
- If no response is received within three (3) months after the closing date, applicants should regard their application as unsuccessful.
Enquiries
For further information, please contact:
- Ms S. Pienaar
- Tel: (044) 803 2703