You don’t necessarily need a PhD to work in the healthcare sector. In fact, most vacancies in government and public health entities also offer entry-level positions.
Photo: @nci on unsplash.com
Nonetheless, as a worker in the industry, you will have more career prospects and be able to obtain work more quickly than job seekers in other areas.
Because of improvements in medicine and the enormous growth of the elderly South African population, which continues to increase at an unprecedented rate, demand for medical experts across the board is significantly higher than in other disciplines.
Below, you can see in which divisions of government and public health entities you can devote yourself to society. Also, you can find out the examples of careers on offer from each of them.
Provincial Health Lines
1. KwaZulu-Natal
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is a healthcare government institution at the provincial level that aims to develop a sustainable, coordinated, and comprehensive health system at all levels. This vision is achieved based on a primary health care approach through the district health system.
Some of the vacancies at government and public health entities that the department frequently advertises are Chief Executive Officer, Director, Clinical Nurse Practitioner, Paramedic, and Emergency Care Officer.
2. Free State
As one of the health care agencies directly under state provisions, the Free State Department of Health aims to increase life expectancy through health system effectiveness, driven system change, and ensure sustainable quality services.
The department ensures to achieve its noble vision by creating a value-driven institution that inculcates operational efficiency and accountability in delivering desired outcomes effectively.
You can expect to find the following roles offered in the department:
- Professional Nurse
- Deputy Director
- Artisan
3. Mpumalanga
Mpumalanga Department of Health is one of the agents of change especially in the health care sector in South Africa which aspires to improve the quality of health and well-being of all people, especially in the province.
This goal is achieved through several systematic strategies such as providing a needs-based, people-centred, equitable healthcare delivery system through an integrated network of healthcare services.
It is not surprising that this department is always on the lookout for dedicated and well-skilled individuals.
4. Northern Cape
Northern Cape Department of Health is a healthcare institution that aspires to provide better systems, better access and better value to the people of the Northern Cape, through community-wide, modern, efficient, and individually focused initiatives to maximize wellness and prevent illness.
To apply for any roles advertised by the department, you will need to submit form Z83 along with your most recent CV.
5. Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape Department of Health, as one of the leading providers of healthcare services in South Africa, provides and ensures accessible, comprehensive, integrated services in the Eastern Cape.
These worthy goals are accomplished by emphasizing the primary health care approach, optimally utilizing all resources to enable all its present and future generations to enjoy health and quality of life.
To achieve this, the department is always in need of outstanding individuals to fill the following positions:
- Head Clinical
- Deputy Director
Applications for the aforementioned vacancies at government and public health entities are open at any time on the Eastern Cape Department of Health e-recruitment webpage.
6. Western Cape
Through its outstanding programmes, the Western Cape Department of Health provides equitable access to quality health services.
The department is focused on collaborating with relevant stakeholders within a balanced and well-managed health system to the people of the Western Cape and beyond.
The following vacancies are usually available from time to time for you to apply for should you are interested in working for the department:
- Operational Manager Nursing
- Administrative Clerk
- Facility Manager
- Administrative Officer
- Psychologist
- Principal Personnel Officer
- Assistant Director
- Bed Manager
- Professional Nurse
- Industrial Technician
- Clinical Nurse Practitioner
Application procedures for healthcare jobs at the Western Cape Department of Health can be done either manually or online.
7. Limpopo
Limpopo Department of Health is one of the government agencies in the healthcare sector which aims to provide and promote comprehensive, accessible and affordable quality health care services to improve the life expectancy of the people.
For now, one of its main missions is to eradicate the spread of HIV/AIDS and TB.
You can find the following job opportunities if you join its dynamic team:
- Medical Officer
- Psychiatrist
- Medical Registrar
- Professional Nurse
- Radiation Oncology Radiographer
- Clinical Technologist
- Psychologist
- Medical Specialist
To apply for any of the vacancies at government and public health entities above, you should submit your application to the appointed person.
8. North West
Rendering accessible, equitable, and integrated quality health services are the central vision of the North West Department of Health.
Hence, it isn’t surprising that the government agency is very active in recruiting medical professionals to accomplish its goal of creating a physically and mentally healthy North West society.
Some of the vacancies at government and public health entities that the department frequently advertises are Administration Clerk, Assistant Manager Nursing, and Emergency Care Officer.
Unfortunately, for now, the recruitment process seems to be going offline considering that the North West Department of Health’s official website is currently undergoing maintenance.
9. Gauteng
The mission of the Gauteng Department of Health is to provide excellent, integrated health services in partnership with stakeholders and contribute towards the reduction of poverty, vulnerability and the burden of disease in all communities in Gauteng.
To achieve this, the department is always on the lookout for outstanding individuals to fill the following positions:
- Chief Radiographer
- Diagnostic Radiographer
- Professional Nurse
- Human Resources Officer
- Occupational Therapist
- Assistant Director
Apply for the positions above or others that will be advertised in the near future through the GPG Professional Job Centre.
Public Health Entities
1. Council for Medical Schemes
The Council for Medical Schemes is an autonomous statutory body created by parliament to regulate Medical Schemes in South Africa. The values of the CMS stem from those underpinning the Constitution of South Africa and from the specific vision and mission of the CMS.
The CMS subscribes to a rights-based framework where everyone is equal before the law, where the right of access to healthcare must be protected and enhanced, and where access must be simplified in a transparent manner.
To achieve this, CMS requires outstanding individuals to fill the following positions:
- Project Manager
- Administrator
- Customer Services Clerk
- Content Coordinator
- Specialist
CMS has its own e-recruitment website for future candidates to check out the latest job openings.
2. South African Health Product Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is the organisation in charge of regulating the use of all Health Products throughout the country.
SAHPRA is constituted as an independent entity that reports to the National Minister of Health through its Board.
Some of the vacancies at government and public health entities that SAHPRA generally advertises are Deputy Manager and Medicine Registration Officer.
To apply for any required role, you must submit your form with a covering letter and your recent CV, names of 3 referees, and copies of your ID and qualifications by email to recruitment@sahpra.org.za.
3. South African Medical Research Council
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is a para-statal medical research organisation in South Africa. The current president is professor Glenda Gray.
The South African Medical Research Council was established in 1969. It is a member of the Innovative Vector Control Consortium.
You can find the following positions from application advertisements that the South African Medical Research Council publish from time to time:
- Senior Scientist
- Specialist Scientist
- Research Technologist
- Project Coordinator
- Senior Research Technician
You can apply online via the SAMRC careers webpage.
If you are declared a successful candidate then you will have the opportunity to work with one of the world’s most innovative researchers and partner institutions to ultimately build a healthy nation for all.
4. Office of Health Standards Compliance
The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) is an independent body established in terms of the National Health Amendment Act of 2013 to ensure that both public and private health establishments in South Africa comply with the required health standards.
The following vacancies are usually available from time to time for you to apply for should you are interested in working for OHSC:
- Assistant Director
- Administrative Clerk
- Personal Assistant
- Office Manager
- Deputy Director
- Administrative Assistant
- Complaints Officer
- Director
You can do all the application procedures for the above positions online by visiting the OHSC careers webpage and clicking on the “Application” button.
5. National Health Laboratory Services
The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) is a South African national government institution established in 2001.
It is also the diagnostic pathology service for the public sector in South Africa. A network of 265 laboratories service all public hospitals and clinics in the country.
You can find the following job opportunities if you join the dynamic NHLS team:
- Pathologist
- Project Manager
- Medical Officer
- Project Coordinator
To apply for any of the vacancies at government and public health entities above, you should forward a concise CV to the relevant Practitioner/Administrator (Human Resources) by email or logging on to the NHLS career page.