Head Clinical Department: (Medical) Grade 1

About this post

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is looking for a Head Clinical Department: (Medical) Grade 1 in Pietermaritzburg. It is a permanent post, paying Grade 1: R2 704 842 per annum (all-inclusive package), All-inclusive package consists of 70% basic salary and 30% flexible portion that may be structured in terms of the applicable rules, Plus Commuted Overtime which is subject to the needs of the department. Incumbents will have to sign the commuted overtime contract form annually..

Section: Component: Anaesthesia and Critical Care

Where you will work: Grey’s Hospital- Pietermaritzburg

Closing date: Monday, 9 November 2026. Late applications are not considered.

What you need

The official advert asks for:

• Grade 12 / Senior Certificate MBChB or equivalent.
• A postgraduate qualification in Anaesthesiology, or a recognized equivalent qualification that allows for registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Specialist in Anaesthesiology. current registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Specialist in Anaesthesiology.
• Seven years’ experience as a Medical Specialist after registration with the HPCSA in Anaesthetics and critical care.
• NB! (Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit proof of all documents and certificate of service endorsed by Human Resources) NB: Certified copies of qualifications and other relevant documents will be requested from the shortlisted candidates only which must be submitted to on the day of the interview (ID copy, Driver’s license, educational qualifications, professional registration certificates, proof of current registrations etc…
• Management experience as a Head Clinical Unit in Anaesthetic and critical care.
• Knowledge, Skills and Experience: Comprehensive managerial and leadership skills to head the Department of Anaesthetics and Critical Care at Grey’s Hospital, manage its operational and strategic matters, and coordinate relevant services in Area 2.
• Sound specialist knowledge and experience in anaesthesiology, perioperative care, resuscitation, airway management, pain management and critical care.
• Knowledge of critical care service delivery, including ICU bed utilisation, patient prioritisation, referral pathways, patient flow and continuity of care.
• Competence in developing, implementing and monitoring departmental policies, protocols, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
• Thorough understanding of financial management, resource allocation and optimisation, budgeting and expenditure control.
• Sound knowledge of Human Resource Management, including EPMDS, staff development, career pathing, recruitment and retention, labour relations, disciplinary processes and grievance management.
• Proficiency with computers and the Microsoft Office suite, including Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Risk and incident management, clinical governance, patient safety and quality improvement.
• Problem-solving, decision-making, analytical thinking and conflict- management proficiency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, report- writing, time-management skills and professional work ethic.
• Clinical leadership, teaching, training, mentorship and supervision skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain effective working relationships.
• … and 4 more points in the official advert.

What you’ll do

• Head the Department of Anaesthetics and Critical Care at Grey’s Hospital and manage its operational and strategic matters, including coordination of relevant services within Area 2.
• Ensure the provision of safe, cost-effective and high- quality anaesthetic and critical care services, including appropriate clinical cover for elective and emergency procedures.
• Oversee preoperative assessment, intraoperative anaesthetic care, recovery and postoperative support, in collaboration with surgical and other relevant clinical departments.
• Provide operational oversight of critical care services within the department’s approved scope, including admission and discharge processes, bed utilisation, patient prioritisation and referral pathways.
• Formulate and execute annual operational plans and medium- to long-term departmental strategies aligned with the Department of Health’s priorities.
• Develop and implement strategies to meet APP and other performance targets, including theatre utilisation, cancellation rates, ICU bed occupancy, patient flow, clinical outcomes and waiting times, as applicable.
• Manage staff performance, EPMDS, recruitment and retention, labour relations, disciplinary processes, conflict management and grievance handling.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels, skills and competencies of departmental personnel, including sessional practitioners where applicable.
• Promote teaching and training of registrars, medical officers, interns, nursing personnel and undergraduate students, including postgraduate supervision and academic programmes.
• Maintain liaison with the relevant departments and training institutions at the University of KwaZulu- Natal, CMSA, HPCSA and other academic partners, as applicable.
• Ensure clinical governance through regular morbidity and mortality meetings, clinical audits, utilisation reviews, incident reviews and quality improvement activities.
• Maintain and review the departmental risk register and implement measures to prevent and manage clinical, operational and medico-legal incidents.
• Design, implement and evaluate quality assurance and improvement programmes to reduce patient safety incidents and improve service efficiency.
• Participate in quality initiatives, including QA meetings, implementation of the Ideal Hospital Realization and Maintenance Framework, norms and standards, and OHSC- related activities.
• Manage budgets and resources prudently and ensure that essential anaesthetic and critical care equipment, medicines, medical gases and consumables are available, functional and appropriately maintained.
• Work with Finance, Supply Chain Management, Clinical Engineering and relevant hospital units to address equipment downtime, procurement delays and resource constraints.
• Chair and participate in relevant committees at Grey’s Hospital as required.
• … and 7 more points in the official advert.

Tips before you apply

• Use the new Z83 application form. Fill in every section and sign it: unsigned or incomplete Z83 forms are usually not considered.
• Quote the reference number GS 16/26 on your application and in the subject line of any e-mail.
• Attach only the documents this advert asks for, such as a CV with your experience dated month and year. Many departments ask for certified copies only once you are shortlisted.
• Show clearly on your CV that you meet each requirement above, for example your Grade 12 results or driver's licence code.