Medical Doctor/General Practitioner

The Department of Health Services invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for the position of Medical Doctor/ General Practitioner.

Mandate

The General Practitioner is generally accountable for the provision of acute and chronic primary, secondary and emergency medical services to patients/clients of the Department of Health Services based on generally acceptable standards while promoting preventative care.

The General Practitioner is also expected to assist in the formulation of policies, guidelines and protocols relative to evidence-based, high quality, patient centred care.

Key Functions

• Serve as first point of contact for patients seeking medical care.
• Examine, diagnose, treat, educate and follow up DHS patients/clients with common medical conditions, including infections, injuries, chronic diseases and mental health conditions in accordance with generally accepted principles and practices of the medical profession.
• Prescribe medications and therapies based on clinical findings and evidence-based guidelines.
• Manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and heart disease through regular monitoring and treatment adjustments.
• Educate patients on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, disease prevention, nutrition, and the importance of regular screenings.
• Conduct routine health screenings, physical examinations, and preventive health assessments.
• Coordinate patient care with specialists, hospitals, and other healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Make referrals to specialists for further evaluation and treatment and admission to hospital when necessary.
• Provide routine medical services in accordance with legal and statutory requirements.
• Participate in the promotion of health and wellness programmes.
• Provide a range of medical services for the enhancement of primary, secondary and tertiary health care.

Additionally, when in the Accident and Emergency Department or when dealing with emergency cases / incidents:

• Conduct rapid assessments of patients upon arrival to determine the severity of their condition.
• Prioritize cases based on the urgency of medical needs (triage).
• Diagnose a wide range of acute conditions, including trauma, heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory emergencies.
• Administer appropriate emergency treatments, including medication, resuscitation, and stabilization procedures.
• Stabilize patients who are critically ill or injured before they are transferred to other departments or admitted to the hospital.
• Perform emergency procedures such as intubation, wound suturing, fracture management, and managing shock.
• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including nurses, radiologists, and surgeons, to ensure comprehensive patient care.
• Continuously monitor patients’ vital signs and response to treatment while in the emergency department.
• Adjust treatment plans as necessary based on patients’ progress and response.
• Handle mass casualty incidents, disasters, or outbreaks with efficiency, coordinating care under high-pressure situations.
• Arrange for appropriate follow-up care for discharged patients, including clear instructions for patients on post-emergency care and medications, referrals to specialists or advising on aftercare.
• Mentor and train junior doctors, medical students, and nursing staff in emergency care practices.
• Stay updated with the latest developments in emergency medicine and contribute to continuous professional development.

Key Duties

• Conduct patient consultations including physical examinations and diagnostic tests, to diagnose, treat, educate and follow up patients.
• Perform appropriate medical procedures on designated patients.
• Admit, conduct patient assessments and discharge patients as required.
• Provide a range of medical services for the enhancement of primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare.
• Formulate and prescribe specialized health care regimens for designated patients. 
• Ensure accurate, complete and timely documentation of medical findings, management, progress, follow-up plans, and patient and caregiver interactions in electronic health records, medical reports and other required versions of the patient record.
• Coordinate referrals to other specialists, sub-specialists and/or other health care institutions or for additional testing as required.
• Provide technical assistance to other health care professionals in the implementation of DHS health programmes and services.
• Provide critical care management for immediate stabilisation or when assigned to the ward or A&E
• Participate in in-service training and medical ward rounds and case presentations when applicable.
• Perform other related duties as required by the job function.
• Act as a catalyst for change, model change and build capacity for managing change throughout the ministry/department/organization. Influence others to translate vision into action.
• Create and support a culture that focusses on creativity, innovation and knowledge.
• Promote a culture of open and transparent communication.
• Embrace technology by utilizing all available ICT/media/mass communication to ensure that relevant messages and/or responses to the service offered are disseminated accurately, courteously and timely.
• Hold up the Leadership Statement as a mirror to your own behaviour in a challenging and constructive way.
• Foster a culture of teamwork and collaboration
• Participate in disaster management activities designed to prepare for, mitigate against and respond to disaster events.
• Develop and implement strategies for improving and maintaining a high level of patient and client satisfaction in the public sector.

Scope of the Job

Primarily clinical with some administrative duties as required.

The general practitioner will be required to work in a variety of settings, including the Princess Alexandra Hospital, clinics and other locations designated for the fulfilling of community outreach programmes, performing the duties so outlined in this job description and other appropriate functions and duties assigned by the DHS management.

It is a full-time position.

Medical officers working in the community will have on call/call out duties.

Personal Qualification

The incumbent must possess sound knowledge of operations, practices, procedures, standards, specifications and work methods, interpersonal communication, computer skills, communicative, analytical and diagnostic ability and interpretative judgment.

Such knowledge, skills and abilities are normally obtained through the acquisition of a Medical Degree. Applicant should have three (3) years post qualification experience in a similar or related job.