Head Clinical Unit Grade 1 and 2 REF NO: DPKISMH 19/2026

REQUIREMENTS

• Grade 1 : Appropriate qualification that allows registration with the HPCSA as Medical Specialist in Anaesthetics plus 7 years' experience.
• Grade 2: Appropriate qualification that allows registration with the HPCSA as Medical Specialist in Anaesthetics plus 9 years' experience. Senior Certificate / Grade 12. Appropriate tertiary qualification in Health Sciences MBChB or equivalent.
• Appropriate postgraduate qualification in Anaesthetics, e.g. FCA SA, MMed Anaesthetics or equivalent qualification. Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa HPCSA as a Medical Specialist in Anaesthetics. Current registration with the HPCSA.
• Appropriate experience as a Medical Specialist in Anaesthetics, in accordance with the applicable grade and public service requirements. Proof of current and previous experience endorsed by the Human Resource Department. A valid driver's licence would be an advantage. Commuted overtime participation where applicable and in accordance with service-delivery requirements. Knowledge of the relevant legislations, Policies and Standard operating procedures.
• Knowledge, Skills, Training and Competence Required: Sound knowledge and clinical expertise in Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, including the assessment and management of patients requiring anaesthesia for elective and emergency procedures. Competence in the provision of safe general, regional and appropriate anaesthetic techniques, including airway management, resuscitation and perioperative patient care.
• Competence in the assessment and management of critically ill and high-risk patients and the ability to provide appropriate anaesthetic support in emergency and critical care situations. Sound knowledge of anaesthetic drugs, equipment, monitoring systems, patient safety principles and relevant clinical guidelines and protocols.
• Strong clinical decision-making, analytical, problem-solving and prioritisation skills, particularly in emergency, high-risk and high-volume clinical environments. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, clinicians and members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. Good leadership, supervisory, mentoring and team-management skills, with the ability to lead and support the Anaesthesia clinical team.
• Ability to coordinate and manage the provision of anaesthetic services and ensure effective utilisation of available human and material resources. Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including Surgery, Emergency Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, Critical Care and other relevant clinical services. Computer literacy and ability to utilise relevant electronic clinical information systems.
• Ability to participate in clinical governance, quality assurance, clinical audits, morbidity and mortality reviews, incident reporting, risk management and quality-improvement initiatives. Ability to provide teaching, training, supervision and mentorship to Medical Officers, Registrars, interns, students and other healthcare professionals. Ability to contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research, continuing professional development and service improvement.
• Ability to manage workload effectively and function independently and under pressure, including participation in after-hours, weekend and public holiday services. Ability to develop, implement and monitor clinical protocols, standard operating procedures and quality standards within the Anaesthesia service. Commitment to providing safe, ethical, patient-centred and evidence-based anaesthetic and perioperative services.

DUTIES

• Provide and oversee comprehensive, safe and quality anaesthetic and perioperative services to patients undergoing elective and emergency procedures. Ensure appropriate pre-operative assessment, intra-operative anaesthetic management and post-operative care of patients, including high-risk and critically ill patients.
• Provide specialist clinical leadership and ensure effective coordination and functioning of the Anaesthesia clinical unit. Participate in emergency, after-hours, weekend and public holiday anaesthetic services as required by the institution. Ensure appropriate management of airway emergencies, resuscitation and other anaesthetic-related emergencies.
• Promote adherence to clinical guidelines, anaesthetic protocols, patient safety standards and relevant professional and institutional policies. Participate in clinical governance activities, including clinical audits, morbidity and mortality reviews, quality assurance, risk management, incident reporting and implementation of quality-improvement initiatives. Monitor and improve the quality, efficiency and turnaround time of anaesthetic services in support of theatre and emergency service delivery.
• Promote effective multidisciplinary collaboration with surgical, obstetric, orthopaedic, emergency, critical care and other clinical services. Provide teaching, training, supervision and mentorship to Registrars, Medical Officers, interns, students and other healthcare professionals. Participate in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, continuing professional development, academic activities and research.
• Develop, implement, review and monitor departmental policies, guidelines, protocols and standard operating procedures. Ensure appropriate utilisation, availability and maintenance of anaesthetic equipment, medicines, consumables and other departmental resources. Participate in service planning, monitoring and evaluation and identify areas requiring improvement in the provision of anaesthetic services.
• Contribute to the development of critical care, resuscitation and perioperative services in accordance with the level of care provided by the institution. Participate in outreach and support services to referring facilities, where required. Ensure accurate clinical documentation, record keeping and reporting within the Anaesthesia service. Participate in departmental, institutional and relevant clinical governance meetings and committees.
• Manage and utilise human, financial, equipment and other resources responsibly and contribute to the identification of service and infrastructure needs. Maintain professional competence and comply with the requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa and relevant Department of Health policies, legislation and regulations. Perform administrative and other duties as delegated by the relevant supervisor.