Head Clinical Unit (Medical) Grade 1

About this post

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is looking for a Head Clinical Unit (Medical) Grade 1 in Grey’s Hospital. It is a permanent post, paying Grade 1: R2 168 145 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: ICU Critical Care Department

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 relevant to Adult Critical Care: eg (Anaesthesia, Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology or Emergency Medicine), or a relevant qualification that allows for registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Specialist.
• Current registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Specialist in Critical Care or Certificate in trauma surgery.
• Five years’ experience as a Medical Specialist after registration with the HPCSA.
• NB (Only shortlisted candidates will be required to submit proof of all documents and certificate of Service endorsed by Human Resources and may be subjected to competency test.
• Knowledge, Skills and Experience: Possess sound knowledge of human resource management, budgeting, the implementation and evaluation of quality assurance programmes, and information management.
• Possess knowledge of current health and Public Service legislation, regulations and policies, including medical ethics, epidemiology and statistics.
• Have good communication, leadership, decision-making and clinical skills Have sound up-to-date knowledge of clinical procedures, protocols and international standards of care within the discipline, including appropriate clinical use of current relevant technology.
• Be physically available to participate in the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Critical Care after-hours call system, which encompasses Grey’s Hospital, Harry Gwala Regional Hospital and Northdale Hospital.
• Be able to efficiently and appropriately assess and manage a broad spectrum of critically ill patients referred from the departments of Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Surgical Specialities, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, and Internal Medicine.
• Have the ability to critically evaluate new technologies and decide on their cost- effective implementation Behavioural Attributes Required The applicant should possess: Stress tolerance, ability to work as an integral part of a team, self- confidence, and the ability to build and maintain good relationships with colleagues, nursing staff, allied medical staff and clinicians from other disciplines.

What you’ll do

• Successful incumbent would be required to: Manage Grey’s Hospital’s adult multidisciplinary tertiary Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as a component of the overall Metropolitan Critical Care system within the Pietermaritzburg Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management.
• Report to the Head of the Clinical Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care at Grey’s Hospital and work jointly to ensure that Critical Care patient services are maintained efficiently and to an acceptable standard.
• Develop and refine Critical Care admission and discharge policies appropriate for Grey’s Hospital, in line with the overall Metropolitan Critical Care policies, to ensure the fair and ethical distribution of ICU resources.
• Actively participate in and support the progressive development of training programmes across the Metropolitan Critical Care system.
• These programmes should facilitate postgraduate Critical Care training for Medical Officers, Registrars specialising in other clinical disciplines, and Specialists undertaking Certification in Critical Care, while maximising the contribution of Grey’s ICU.
• Accept overall responsibility for the Critical Care management of critically ill patients admitted to the Critical Care Unit of Grey’s Hospital Lead the clinical Critical Care service of a tertiary hospital ICU that functions as part of the Metropolitan Critical Care service by: Personally providing Subspecialist-level consultant cover and clinical leadership for Grey’s Hospital Multidisciplinary ICU.
• Supervising and directing the clinical work of Specialists undertaking Certification in Critical Care Personally providing (on a rostered duty basis) after-hours Subspecialist consultant cover for the ICU at Grey’s Hospital as well as for other ICUs in the Metropolitan Critical Care system.
• Assessing pre- and post-admission high-risk patients in the wards, and providing clinical guidance to clinicians referring patients to the ICU at Grey’s Hospital.
• Liaising and working with the Critical Care services offered by the Department of Paediatrics at Grey’s Hospital on matters relevant to both adult and paediatric critical care.
• Participating in outreach programmes for the development of Critical Care services within the catchment area of Grey’s Hospital Participating in the teaching programmes co-ordinated by the Pietermaritzburg Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management for vocational, postgraduate and nursing staff.
• Undertaking appropriate clinical research and supporting the research efforts of junior staff in the Pietermaritzburg Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management.
• Provide effective and efficient management and supervision by: Ensuring effective utilisation and placement of medical staff, and giving guidance for the effective utilization and placement of nursing staff Maintaining discipline and ensuring that staff members act with integrity and professionalism within the law.
• Delegating duties to senior staff without lessening the incumbent’s own responsibility and accountability for actions taken on the incumbent’s behalf Liaising with hospital management regarding the ICU and High Care Unit’s infrastructure requirements, including funding, facilities, equipment, staffing and support.
• Maintaining self-development and staff development by CPD and CME activities and participation in postgraduate and other relevant academic/training programmes.
• Co-ordinating participation in Quality Improvement measures by staff.
• Ensure the proper and economical use of equipment, consumables and other resources.

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 17/26 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.