KZN Dept Of Health Registrar Programme
The Registrar programme is a training programme for medical practitioners (Doctors) to train as Specialists in various disciplines.
The period of training is 48 months during which time, for a specialty and 24 months for a sub specialty (Senior Registrars), a candidate registrar is employed by the Department of Health, provides clinical services and gains practical knowledge in the chosen discipline and undergoes academic training through the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine and on completion of the examinations, qualifies to register as a Specialist with The Health Professions Council of South Africa.
More details on the academic programme can be obtained on the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine website which has links to the different schools.
The Health Professions Council of SA accredits the Medical School to train these specialists by granting training numbers (N Numbers) or S numbers in the case of sub specialties.
Registrars are employed by the Department and at the end of the 48 months they are expected to leave the training post irrespective if they have completed their examinations or not. This is to ensure that the new group of Registrars can be appointed so that the potential pool of specialists grows. The appointment is on a contractual basis.
During the training period, registrars rotate through various hospitals in the three complexes namely:
Coastal
- which includes all the
- eThekwini Hospitals,
- Port Shepstone,
- Stanger and
- Ngwelezane
Inland
Psychiatric
- including
- King George V,
- Fort Napier and
- Townhill
- Anaesthetics
- Cardiothoracic surgery
- Dermatology
- Emergency Medicine
- ENT
- Family Medicine
- Forensic Medicine
- General Surgery
- Internal Medicine
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Nuclear Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Occupational Medicine
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Paediatrics and Child Health
- Paediatric surgery
- Plastic Surgery
- Psychiatry
- Public Health Medicine
- Radiology
- Urology
General requirements for the registrar posts
Tertiary qualification (MBCHB) or equivalent; PLUS
- Current registration for independent practice with the Health Professions Council of South Africa;
- Community Service employees may also apply on condition that their appointment will be subject to the successful completion of Community Service
| Discipline | Minimum Requirement | Added Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Anaesthetics | Diploma | Research experience including completion of research methodology courses/modules, development of protocols |
| Cardiothoracic surgery | Primary, ATLS, 6 months experience in General Surgery ICU | |
| Dermatology | Non-Zulu speaking applicants are required to complete the Zulu course offered at UKZN (https://ukznextendedlearning.com/courses/isizulu-basic/) and bring certificate of completion to the interview | |
| Emergency Medicine | 6 months experience in an Emergency Department | |
| ENT | Primary | 6 months experience in General Surgery as a Medical Officer |
| Forensic Medicine | Dip For Med (SA) (Path) or Dip For Med (SA (Clin Path) | |
| General Surgery | Primary | Possession of ATLS and BSS |
| Internal Medicine | Primary | |
| Orthopaedics | Primary | ATLS, BSS, APLS, ACLS, Intermediate Exams, H Dip Orth, working in a rural hospital |
| Neurology | Passed Part1 examination, Minimum 6 months experience in Internal Medicine as a Medical Officer | |
| Neurosurgery | Primary | Completion of FCS intermediate (Neurosurgery) of FCS intermediate (General Surgery) examination will be advantageous |
| Obstetric and Gynaecology | Part 1 (full)/or O&G diploma with 1A or 1B, 6 months O&G experience | |
| Ophthalmology | FC Ophth Part 1A 6 months experience in Ophthalmology as a medical officer | Part 1B (intermediate) or Diploma in Ophthalmology |
| Paediatrics & Child Health | At least 6 months experience post Community Service in a regional hospital FCPaeds Part 1 or Diploma in Child Health | |
| Paediatric surgery | Primary | Intermediate exams FCS (SA) part 1B will be advantageous |
| Plastic Surgery | Intermediate FCS exams | |
| Psychiatry | Primary | |
| Public Health Medicine | Previous research experience or previous public health training such as PG Diploma or MPH |
- Please note that the formal offer of a Registrar post will be dependent upon proof of successful completion of the required examinations.
- Valid driver’s license
- At least 6 months’ experience in the relevant discipline.
The following would be an advantage for all disciplines:-
- Possession of ATLS, APLS, ACLS, FCCS (or equivalents)
- A Diploma and/or part 1 of fellowship examination in the relevant discipline if not already indicated above.
- Preference will be given to candidates with at least one year experience in a rural area or peripheral setting.
Knowledge, Skills, Training and Competencies Required
- Basic knowledge of Medical Practice and Ethics
- Ability to manage patients independently.
- Ability to learn, innovate and be prepared to work overtime
- Good interpersonal skills
- An interest in conducting research
- Knowledge and respect of the Patients’ Rights Charter and Batho Pele Principles
Key Performance Areas
- Participation in academic and teaching programmes and meetings in the respective Departments
- Responsibility for care of patients at designated levels/sites, e.g. Outpatients, Wards, Theatres, ICUs etc
- Management of patients under supervision.
- Attendance at Ward rounds and/or Tutorials
- Supervision and teaching of undergraduates
- Provision of after-hours care for emergency services
- Clerking and keeping of comprehensive records of patients in the Hospital File.