Dept of Health Vacancies 2026: X151 Posts

The  Department of Health invites suitably  to apply for 151 Sessional Medical Officer Grade 1–3 positions available at hospitals across SA.

Vacancy Application Closing Date: 31 March 2027

Vacancy Location: South Africa

Apply for 151  Department of Health Sessional Medical Officer vacancies. HPCSA-registered doctors can earn sessional rates of R501 to R662 across  hospitals.

The  Department of Health has published Departmental Circular 36 of 2026, advertising 151 sessional work opportunities for qualified medical officers.

The positions are available at hospitals throughout  and are intended primarily for doctors who can provide after-hours medical services.

Successful applicants will be remunerated according to the approved departmental sessional tariffs and applicable prescripts.

Vacancy Overview

Department:  Department of Health
Circular: Departmental Circular 36 of 2026
Position: Medical Officer Grade 1–3: Sessional
Number of positions: 151
Centres: Hospitals across Limpopo
Contract arrangement: Sessional work
Maximum sessions: 20 sessions per week
Closing date: 31 March 2027
Application method: Online through the hospital-specific application link

Sessional Medical Officer Rates

The advertised sessional rates are:

Medical Officer grade	Sessional rate
Grade 1	R501.00
Grade 2	R572.00
Grade 3	R662.00

The circular does not clearly state the time unit attached to each tariff. Applicants should confirm the applicable payment calculation and session duration with the hospital before accepting a contract.

Sessional work will be remunerated according to approved tariffs and Limpopo Department of Health prescripts.

General Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have at least three years of experience after completing community service.
• Be willing to render 20 sessions per week.
• Be currently registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an Independent Medical Practitioner.
• Reside within a 200-kilometre radius of the hospital where they wish to provide services.
• Not be contracted to provide sessional services in another province.
• Be South African citizens or permanent residents.
• Meet the qualification and experience requirements for the applicable grade.

The circular states that contracts will be limited to 20 sessions per week, provided that the practitioner is not contracted in another province.

Minimum Qualification

Applicants must possess an appropriate medical qualification that permits registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as an Independent Medical Practitioner.

Current HPCSA registration in the following category is compulsory:

Independent Medical Practitioner

Applicants must submit proof that their registration is current.

Medical Officer Grade Requirements

Grade 1

Applicants must have:

• Less than five years of appropriate or recognisable experience after registration with the HPCSA as an Independent Medical Practitioner.

Grade 2

Applicants must have:

• At least five years but fewer than ten years of appropriate or recognisable experience after registration as an Independent Medical Practitioner.

Grade 3

Applicants must have:

• Ten years or more of appropriate or recognisable experience after registration as an Independent Medical Practitioner.

The grade offered will depend on the applicant’s recognised post-registration experience.

After-Hours Service Requirement

Sessional Medical Officers will generally be appointed to provide:

• After-hours medical services.
• Night-duty services.
• Weekend services.
• Public-holiday services.
• Emergency medical services.
• Additional services when required on short notice.

The exception relates to identified forensic pathology services, where different operational arrangements may apply.

Applicants must be prepared to work independently and, where necessary, without direct supervision.

Additional Inherent Requirements

Applicants must have:

• A valid driver’s licence.
• Computer literacy.
• Microsoft Outlook skills.
• Microsoft Word skills.
• Microsoft Excel skills.
• Microsoft PowerPoint skills.
• Proficiency in virtual-meeting platforms.
• The ability to compile reports.
• The ability to work under pressure.
• Willingness to work shifts and flexible hours.
• Willingness to perform overtime when operationally required.

Commuted overtime will depend on service needs and must be approved by the department’s Accounting Officer.

Required Clinical Knowledge

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Sound knowledge of medical theory and practice.
• Knowledge of South African laws relevant to medical practice.
• General medical knowledge.
• Surgical knowledge and skills.
• Anaesthetic knowledge and skills.
• Clinical competence across different age groups and sexes.
• Knowledge of district health-service requirements.
• Understanding of clinical governance.
• Sound medical ethics.
• Rational use of healthcare resources.
• Ability to collect and analyse clinical data.

Required Skills

Suitable applicants should have:

• Clinical decision-making skills.
• Leadership skills.
• Written communication skills.
• Verbal communication skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Budgeting skills.
• Report-writing ability.
• Computer literacy.
• Data-analysis skills.
• Supervisory ability.
• The ability to work independently.
• The ability to respond effectively during emergencies.

Personal Attributes

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Integrity.
• Professionalism.
• Attention to detail.
• Accuracy.
• Accountability.
• Reliability.
• Initiative.
• Results orientation.
• Calmness under pressure.
• Adaptability.
• Respect for patients and stakeholders.
• Diplomacy.
• Teamwork.
• Commitment to continuous professional learning.
• Commitment to the Batho Pele principles.

Key Performance Areas

Successful Sessional Medical Officers will be responsible for:

• Providing clinical care in designated service areas.
• Providing emergency medical care.
• Conducting ward rounds.
• Participating in outreach programmes.
• Providing medical services during special events and provincial operations.
• Responding to emergency calls within the required time.
• Supporting disaster and disaster-management responses.
• Maintaining clinical records.
• Following applicable clinical protocols.
• Participating in quality-improvement programmes.
• Conducting clinical audits.
• Participating in continuing medical education.
• Maintaining their Continuous Professional Development requirements.
• Supporting undergraduate and postgraduate academic activities.
• Supervising and training junior medical staff where required.

Supervision and Training Responsibilities

Where required, appointed practitioners may coordinate clinical responsibilities and supervise:

• Medical interns.
• Medical officers.
• Community Service Medical Officers.
• Registrars.
• Other staff assigned to the relevant clinical discipline.

Medical officers may also be instructed to perform duties elsewhere in the province according to operational requirements.

Available Hospitals

Applications are available for the following hospitals:

Institution	Contact number
Botlokwa Hospital	015 527 8000
C.N. Phatudi Hospital	015 355 8000
Dilokong Hospital	013 214 7265
Donald Fraser Hospital	015 963 1778
Elim Hospital	015 556 3201
Ellisras Hospital	014 763 2227
F.H. Odendaal/MDR-TB Hospital	014 718 5300
George Masebe Hospital	015 423 6000
Groblersdal Hospital	013 262 3024
Helene Franz Hospital	015 505 8500
Jane Furse Hospital	013 265 9400
Kgapane Hospital	015 328 7800
Lebowakgomo Hospital	015 633 1800
Letaba Hospital	015 303 8200
Louis Trichardt Hospital	015 516 0148
Malamulele Hospital	015 851 0026
Mankweng Hospital	015 286 1000
Maphutha L. Malatjie Hospital	015 769 1520
Matlala Hospital	013 264 5000
Mecklenburg Hospital	015 619 0056
Messina Hospital	015 534 0446
Mokopane Hospital	015 483 4000
Nkhensani Hospital	015 811 7300
Philadelphia Hospital	013 983 0112
Pietersburg Hospital	015 287 5000
Sekororo Hospital	015 383 9400
Seshego Hospital	015 223 5141
Siloam Hospital	015 973 0004
St. Rita’s Hospital	013 298 1000
Thabazimbi Hospital	014 777 1599
Tshilidzini Hospital	015 964 1061
Van Velden Hospital	015 307 4475
Voortrekker Hospital	015 491 2236
Warmbaths Hospital	014 736 7300
W.F. Knobel Hospital	015 221 1500
Witpoort Hospital	014 769 0025
Zebediela Hospital	015 662 0787

The circular directs applicants to use the application link listed next to their preferred hospital.

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

• A fully completed and signed new Z83 Application for Employment form.
• A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae where information does not fit on the Z83 form.
• Proof of residential address.
• Proof of current HPCSA registration as an Independent Medical Practitioner.
• Annexure A: Skills Declaration by Medical Practitioner for Sessional Contracting.
• Any additional documents requested on the hospital-specific application form.

The skills declaration form is compulsory.

Completing the Z83 Form

Applicants must complete and sign the latest Z83 form.

The following sections must be completed:

• Part A.
• Part B, except where a question is not applicable.
• Part C.
• Part D.
• Parts E, F and G, or the required information must appear in the attached CV.

Applicants may state “refer to CV” where the form does not provide enough space, but the CV must contain all required information.

Incomplete applications may be disqualified.

Reference Number to Use

Applicants must quote:

• Departmental Circular 36 of 2026; or
• The relevant LDH post reference number provided during the application process.

Applicants must not use reference number S4/1/1, because it is for internal departmental correspondence only.

How to Apply for Limpopo Department of Health Medical Officer Vacancies 2026

Applications must be submitted using the hospital-specific online application links contained in the official departmental circular.

Click here to apply for Limpopo Department of Health Sessional Medical Officer Vacancies 2026

Applicants should:

1. Open Departmental Circular 36 of 2026.
2. Go to the final page containing the hospital list.
3. Identify the hospital where they wish to provide sessional services.
4. Select the “Click Here” link next to that hospital.
5. Complete the applicable online application.
6. Upload the completed Z83 form and supporting documents.
7. Confirm that the correct circular or LDH post reference is quoted.
8. Submit the application before the closing date.

Distance Requirement

Applicants will not be considered where they live more than:

200 kilometres from the selected hospital

Proof of address must therefore be submitted and should accurately reflect the applicant’s current residential address.

Applicants should select a hospital within the permitted radius.

Contract Limitation

Only contracts for up to:

20 sessions per week

will be entered into.

Applicants must also not hold another sessional contract in a different province.

Vacancy Application Closing Date

Applications close on:

31 March 2027

Applicants should submit applications early and ensure that every compulsory document has been included.

The closing date appears in the signed section of Departmental Circular 36 of 2026.

General Enquiries

General enquiries regarding individual positions should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the relevant hospital during office hours.

The hospital telephone numbers are provided in the table above.

General departmental contact details are:

Limpopo Department of Health
Fidel Castro Ruz House
18 College Street
Polokwane
0700

Postal address:
Private Bag X9302
Polokwane
0700

Telephone: 015 293 6000/12

Employment Equity

The Limpopo Department of Health is an equal-opportunity, Employment Equity and Affirmative Action employer.

Appointments will be made according to departmental employment-equity objectives and operational requirements.

The department reserves the right not to fill any advertised position.

No Application Fee

Applicants should not pay anyone to apply.

The department clearly states that:

No payment of any kind is required when applying for these positions.

Applicants should be cautious of anyone requesting money in exchange for an application, interview or appointment.

Important Application Conditions

Applicants should note that:

• At least three years of post-community-service experience is required.
• Current HPCSA Independent Medical Practitioner registration is compulsory.
• Applicants must live within 200 kilometres of the chosen hospital.
• Applicants must be willing to provide 20 sessions per week.
• After-hours, weekend and public-holiday work is required.
• Applicants contracted in another province will not qualify.
• A valid driver’s licence is required.
• The new Z83 form must be completed and signed.
• Proof of address is compulsory.
• The skills declaration form must be attached.
• The S4/1/1 reference must not be used.
• Applications must be submitted through the hospital-specific link.
• The department does not charge an application fee.

Application Checklist

Before applying, confirm that:

• You hold an appropriate medical qualification.
• You have current HPCSA Independent Medical Practitioner registration.
• You have at least three years of experience after community service.
• You meet the requirements for Grade 1, 2 or 3.
• You are a South African citizen or permanent resident.
• You live within 200 kilometres of your selected hospital.
• You are willing to render 20 sessions each week.
• You are not contracted for sessional work in another province.
• You have a valid driver’s licence.
• Your Z83 form is fully completed and signed.
• Your CV contains all information omitted from the Z83 form.
• Proof of address is attached.
• Proof of HPCSA registration is attached.
• Annexure A is completed and attached.
• You quote Circular 36 of 2026 or the relevant LDH reference.
• You submit the application by 31 March 2027.