EMERGENCY CARE OFFICER VACANCIES (GRADE 1–3)
The Eastern Cape Department of Health has advertised multiple vacancies for Emergency Care Officers (ECO) Grade 1–3, across several districts, including Nelson Mandela Metro, Buffalo City Metro, Amathole, OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Sarah Baartman, Joe Gqabi, and Chris Hani. These positions form part of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) units and aim to strengthen the province’s capacity to respond to medical emergencies. The posts are classified under the Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) salary structure, which allows for salary progression based on qualifications and scope of practice.
Salary ranges are as follows:
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Grade 1: R187 488 – R214 368 per annum
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Grade 3: R217 983 – R286 521 per annum
Minimum Requirements
The requirements differ depending on whether the applicant is applying for Grade 1 (Basic Life Support level) or Grade 3 (Intermediate Life Support level).
For Grade 1:
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National Senior Certificate (Matric).
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Successful completion of a Basic Life Support (BLS) course that meets the requirements for registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Basic Ambulance Assistant (BAA).
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Proof of current HPCSA registration as a BAA.
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No post-registration experience required.
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Knowledge of Basic Life Support protocols.
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A valid Code 10 driver’s licence with a Professional Driving Permit (PDP).
For Grade 3:
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Successful completion of an Intermediate Life Support (ILS) course enabling registration with the HPCSA as an Ambulance Emergency Assistant (AEA).
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Proof of HPCSA registration as an AEA.
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No post-registration experience is required.
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Knowledge of Intermediate Life Support protocols.
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A valid Code 10 licence with PDP.
These requirements ensure that all ECOs are fully capable of performing emergency care in demanding conditions while complying with professional standards.
Core Duties of the Emergency Care Officer
Across all districts, the primary responsibilities of an Emergency Care Officer include responding to medical emergencies, stabilizing patients, and ensuring safe transportation to healthcare facilities. Duties include:
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Providing Emergency Medical Care according to HPCSA-approved protocols for either BLS or ILS scope of practice.
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Transporting the sick and injured using EMS ambulances while ensuring patient safety and monitoring conditions en route.
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Performing inter-facility transfers, which involve transporting patients between hospitals or clinics based on medical referral needs.
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Completing all necessary administrative tasks, including patient report forms, vehicle checklists, occurrence books, and daily log sheets.
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Cleaning and maintaining ambulances, medical equipment, and EMS bases to ensure operational readiness.
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Ensuring vehicles are adequately stocked with medical supplies and that all equipment is in good working condition.
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Participating in EMS station activities and performing additional duties assigned by supervisors.
These duties highlight that ECOs must work efficiently in emergency environments while maintaining accuracy in documentation and equipment care.
Work Locations and Posts Available
The posts are distributed as follows:
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Nelson Mandela Metro EMS: 40 posts
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Buffalo City Metro EMS: 24 posts
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Amathole EMS: 32 posts
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OR Tambo EMS (Mthatha): 48 posts
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Alfred Nzo EMS: 32 posts
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Sarah Baartman EMS: 24 posts
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Joe Gqabi EMS: 24 posts
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Chris Hani EMS: 24 posts
Each district provides contact details for enquiries, handled by the Recruitment Head Office.
Key Competencies
Ideal candidates must demonstrate:
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Ability to work under pressure.
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Good communication skills.
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Strong knowledge of EMS protocols.
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Good physical health, reliability, and willingness to work shifts and extended hours.