Head Clinical Department: (Medical) Grade 1 REF NO: GS 16/26

In brief

**Overview** This role is for a Head Clinical Department (Medical) Grade 1, specializing in Anaesthetics and Critical Care, at Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, under the Kwazulu Natal Department Of Health. The position offers an annual all-inclusive package of R2,704,842, which comprises 70% basic salary and a 30% flexible portion. Additionally, commuted overtime is available, subject to departmental needs, requiring an annual contract signing. **What you will 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. * Maintain accurate departmental records and statistics, including theatre activity, anaesthetic procedures, critical care utilisation and clinical outcomes. * Work collaboratively within the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Hospitals Complex, with referring hospitals, DCSTs and EMS. * Oversee and support outreach, in-reach and approved virtual support programmes in Area 2. * Manage and address client complaints involving the department and ensure appropriate follow-up and corrective action. * Provide specialist advice to clinicians on anaesthetic, perioperative and critical care management within the scope of the department. * Undertake clinical duties, including commuted overtime, as required and in accordance with prescribed requirements. * Serve as acting Senior Manager: Medical Services when required and formally delegated. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * 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.). * Additional Qualifications and Experience: A valid driver's license. * 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. * Knowledge, understanding and implementation of Batho Pele principles. * Knowledge of medical ethics, medico-legal risk and relevant professional standards, including appropriate clinical documentation and incident investigation. * Knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and regulations of the Department of Health/DPSA, including the National Health Act, PFMA, SCM regulations and other applicable prescripts. * Computer literacy and proficiency in the Microsoft office suite. **Who should apply** An ideal candidate is a highly experienced Medical Specialist in Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, holding current HPCSA registration and possessing at least seven years of post-registration experience in the specialty. They must demonstrate strong managerial and leadership capabilities, supported by prior management experience as a Head Clinical Unit in Anaesthetic and critical care. The candidate should have comprehensive knowledge in anaesthesiology, perioperative care, resuscitation, airway management, pain management, and critical care service delivery, alongside a thorough understanding of financial and human resource management, risk management, clinical governance, and quality improvement principles. Essential skills include excellent communication, problem-solving, decision-making, analytical thinking, and clinical leadership. Proficiency in computer literacy, specifically Microsoft Office suite, and a valid driver's license are also required. The candidate should be able to work effectively under pressure, maintain strong professional relationships, uphold a professional work ethic, and demonstrate a commitment to Batho Pele principles, medical ethics, and relevant health legislation. **Deadline** Not specified **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/head-clinical-department-medical-grade-1-ref-no-gs-16-26-kwazulu-natal-department-of-health Source: myjobmag

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At a glance

• At least 5 years of experience.

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office

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