Head Clinical Department REF NO: HCD CTS01/2026 at KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health

REQUIREMENTS :

• MBChB Degree or equivalent qualifications. Registration certificate with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Medical Specialist in Cardiothoracic Surgery and current registration. Minimum 7 years’ post-registration experience as a specialist Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
• Additional qualifications: PHD will be an added advantage. MMed (Cardiothoracic) or equivalent higher degree FC Cardio (SA). Experience in a tertiary/quaternary academic setting. Experience in clinical governance, service development, and academic leadership.
• Knowledge, Skills and Competencies: Expertise in the management of acute and chronic cardiac surgical and thoracic surgical conditions including emergencies and trauma. Knowledge of national and international demography, current health and public service legislation, regulation and policy, including medical ethics, epidemiology, and statistics.
• Strong clinical decision-making, communication, and interpersonal skills. Experience in multidisciplinary teamwork, clinical training and functioning in a quaternary hospital. Ability to teach, supervise, and mentor trainees, junior staff and allied staff. Knowledge of research principles with ability to drive academic output. Leadership, administrative, and conflict resolution skills. 

DUTIES :

• Lead and manage the Clinical Unit as delegated by the CEO and Medical School Dean in the following areas: Ensure high standards of clinical care, ethics, and governance. Oversee unit administration, staff performance, and service delivery. Provide specialist clinical services, including outpatient care, consultations and emergencies. Participate in after-hours consultant cover.
• Lead training of undergraduate and postgraduate students and allied health staff. Develop and implement clinical protocols in association with other surgical disciplines. Support clinical audit and quality assurance programmes. Promote outreach and strengthen regional cardiothoracic surgical services at secondary and tertiary level hospitals.
• Ensure efficient and cost-effective use of resources. Collaborate with UKZN, CMSA, health system partners and other thoracic surgical units at provincial, national and international levels. Promote and support research and academic development as delegated by the CEO aligned with the policies of UKZN and the College of Cardiothoracic Surgeons.