Medical Officer Grade 1 -3

In brief

**Overview** This is a Medical Officer position, available at Grade 1, 2, or 3 levels, within the Eastern Cape Department of Health. The role is based at the Buffalo City Metro Forensic Pathology Services in Ku Gompo. It involves providing forensic pathology services, including medico-legal investigations and post-mortem examinations. The position offers an all-inclusive salary package structured according to Middle Management Service guidelines, with varying remuneration based on the grade. **What you will do** * Perform medico-legal post-mortem examinations. * Complete all related investigations and documentation. * Finalise post-mortem reports within a 12-week turnaround period. * Compile and complete post-mortem reports and all related medico-legal documentation accurately and timeously. * Provide conclusion of causes of death based on ancillary investigation reports. * Provide efficient expert evidence in court related to all autopsied cases. * Formulate forensic second opinions as requested by the Department of Justice. * Attend and examine incident cases. * Provide support to the Heads: Clinical Unit and Department, Medical Specialists, and Safe Practices. * Assist with teaching and training of medical and forensic students, and forensic pathology officers in medico-legal autopsies and related investigations. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * Appropriate qualification that allows registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner. * Registration with the HPCSA as a Medical Practitioner. * **Experience:** * **Grade 1:** None after registration as Medical Practitioner with HPCSA for SA qualified employees. 1-year relevant experience after registration as Medical Practitioner with a recognised foreign Health Professional Council for foreign qualified employees (if not required to perform Community Service in SA). * **Grade 2:** A minimum of 5 years’ appropriate experience as Medical Practitioner after registration with the HPCSA for SA qualified employees. A minimum of 6 years’ relevant experience after registration as Medical Practitioner with a recognised foreign Health Professional Council for foreign qualified employees (if not required to perform Community Service in SA). * **Grade 3:** A minimum of 10 years’ appropriate experience as Medical Practitioner after registration with the HPCSA for SA qualified employees. A minimum of 11 years’ relevant experience after registration as Medical Practitioner with a recognised foreign Health Professional Council for foreign qualified employees (if not required to perform Community Service in SA). * Ability to work independently on autopsies and crime scene investigation. * Good practical knowledge of forensic pathology (theory and practice). * Knowledge of the relevant legislations. * Expected to participate in weekend and after-hours work. * May be required to undergo further training in the medico-legal investigation of unnatural death. * Knowledge of applicable parts of the Occupational Health Act and Risk assessment process. * Ability to perform medico-legal post-mortem examinations and crime scene investigations. * Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team setting. * A certificate of competence as a forensic medical Officer or work experience in forensic pathology. * Excellent communication skills. * Computer literacy. * Basic knowledge of forensic photography. * Ability to make well-founded decisions and conclusions. * Resilience and ability to work with fragmented and decomposed remains. * Ability to make a positive contribution in a busy department. * Expected to partake in all the department's academic and training activities. * Provision of a Forensic Pathology Service at a district level as delegated. * Produce reports of high quality. * Satisfactory level of professional Court attendance. * Maintain satisfactory clinical, professional and ethical standards related to Forensic Pathology Services. * Attend to administrative matters as required. **Who should apply** The ideal candidate is a registered Medical Practitioner with the HPCSA (or equivalent for foreign qualifications), possessing the required post-registration experience for their desired grade. They should have strong practical and theoretical knowledge of forensic pathology, understand relevant legislations, and be proficient in Occupational Health Act and risk assessment processes. The role requires an individual who can work autonomously on investigations and autopsies, as well as collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team. Essential qualities include excellent communication skills, computer literacy, basic forensic photography knowledge, resilience, and the capacity to make sound decisions, especially when handling challenging materials. The successful applicant must be a positive contributor in a demanding environment, committed to producing high-quality reports, maintaining professional court attendance, and willing to participate in academic, training activities, and after-hours work. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.govpage.co.za/vacancies/eastern-cape-department-of-health-vacancies-circular-36-of-2026#spani-ref-echealth-mo-apl-bcm-fps-01-10-2026 Source: govpage

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At a glance

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