Employer: Western Cape Government Health and Wellness
Reference Code: MHS630/2026
Facility / Location: Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory (Rotations through UCT Training Platform including Valkenberg, Red Cross Children’s Hospital & Lentegeur Hospital)
Industry: Healthcare, Medical Specialist Training & Psychiatry
Number of Posts: 7 Positions
Position Type: 4-Year Fixed-Term Contract (Specialist Training)
Compensation: Standard OSD Remuneration for Medical Registrars (Department of Health)
Posted Date: October 2026
Closing Date: 30 November 2026
About the Role & UCT Academic Health Complex
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, in academic partnership with the University of Cape Town (UCT) Faculty of Health Sciences, invites qualified medical practitioners to apply for 7 Registrar positions in Psychiatry.
This 4-year contract post provides specialist academic training and clinical rotations across world-class tertiary and psychiatric institutions, including Groote Schuur Hospital, Valkenberg Hospital, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, and Lentegeur Hospital. Registrars will complete academic MMed degree requirements and CMSA fellowship exams while delivering clinical psychiatric care.
Key Responsibilities & Clinical Training Duties
The Registrar (Psychiatry) will contribute across six primary clinical and academic areas:
1. Patient Care & Psychiatric Clinical Management
- Clinical Evaluation: Conduct psychiatric assessments, mental state examinations, diagnostic formulation, and treatment planning for acute and chronic psychiatric patients.
- Emergency Care: Provide 24-hour casualty and emergency psychiatric coverage, managing acute psychosis, mood disorders, suicide risks, and substance-induced conditions.
2. Specialized Unit Rotations
- Rotational Exposure: Complete clinical rotations across adult general psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry (Red Cross Hospital), forensic psychiatry (Valkenberg Hospital), and community/neuropsychiatry (Lentegeur Hospital).
3. Academic & Examination Milestones
- MMed Degree: Enroll and progress through the Master of Medicine (MMed) in Psychiatry degree via UCT.
- CMSA Examinations: Prepare for and pass Part 1 and Part 2 Fellowship examinations of the College of Psychiatrists of South Africa (FC Psych SA).
4. Multidisciplinary Team Leadership
- Team Engagement: Collaborate closely with clinical psychologists, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, and psychiatric social workers.
- Clinical Governance: Participate in mortality and morbidity reviews, clinical audits, and quality improvement programs.
5. Training & Mentorship
- Student Teaching: Provide bedside clinical instruction, seminar tutoring, and supervision to medical students, interns, and medical officers.
Candidate Profile & Minimum Requirements
To qualify for consideration for Reference MHS630/2026, applicants must meet the following mandatory criteria:
- Minimum Educational Qualifications:
- Completed MBChB Degree or equivalent medical qualification recognized by the HPCSA (Mandatory).
- Statutory Professional Registration:
- Active, independent practice Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Practitioner (Mandatory).
- Inherent Requirements of the Job:
- Valid South African Driver’s License (applicable for platform rotations).
- Willingness to work 24/7 commuted overtime calls, weekends, and night shifts across the UCT platform.
- Competencies & Knowledge Base (Advantageous):
- Completion of FCPsych(SA) Part 1 exams or Diploma in Mental Health (DMH SA) is highly advantageous.
- Prior clinical experience as a Medical Officer in Psychiatry or Emergency Medicine.
- Strong clinical judgment, crisis management skills, and ethical patient advocacy.
Crucial Notice & Application Advice for Candidates
📌 NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS:
- No Payment Required: The Western Cape Government does NOT request any payment, processing fee, or placement charge for job applications.
- Shortlisting Documentation: Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend interviews on the specified date/time and bring certified copies (not older than 6 months) of their SA ID Document, Driver’s License, MBChB Qualification, and current HPCSA Registration Card. Failure to present these documents will result in disqualification.
Sample Selection & Board Interview Questions
Clinical Psychiatry & Academic Readiness
- Question (Clinical Assessment): “How do you approach the emergency psychiatric evaluation and differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with acute confusion and aggressive behavior?”
- Question (Academic Commitment): “How do you balance demanding commuted overtime obligations at Valkenberg/Groote Schuur with MMed research requirements and CMSA fellowship preparation?”
How to Apply
Submit your application directly through the Western Cape Government e-Recruitment Portal referencing MHS630/2026:
- Employer: Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
- Reference Number: MHS630/2026
- Enquiries: Department of Psychiatry, UCT / Groote Schuur Hospital
- Positions: 7 Registrar Posts