Additional information

body or mind	Body
Field	Medical Field
Boss or Team	Team
Communication	Good Communicator
Work With	People
Math & Science	Maths & Science
Study Length	Prepared to Study for Years
Environment	Busy Environment

Specialist in Emergency Medicine

Emergency medicine specialists work in emergency rooms or trauma centres and treat patients who need immediate care.

These highly-trained doctors specialize in advanced cardiac life support, trauma care and management of other life-threatening conditions.

Working as an emergency medical specialist is a high-pressure job that requires very specialised skills and quick decision-making capabilities.

How to be a Specialist in Emergency Medicine in South Africa

Get the Required Qualifications

To become an emergency medicine specialist in South Africa, you will need the following qualifications:

Certificate (National Senior Certificate or National Certificate (v) with Bachelor’s Degree Pass)
Bachelor’s Degree (Bachelor of Medicine)
Post-graduate Degree (Master of Medicine in Emergency Medicine)*

Demonstrate Competence in the Required Subjects

Entry requirements may differ per institution, but you will generally be expected to show competency in the following subjects:

Accumulate Years of Relevant Study and Experience

Emergency medicine specialists in South Africa typically study for about 10 years.

The first 6 years is spent on theoretical training to obtain a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB ) and the other four years in post-grad studies to obtain a Master of Medicine in Emergency Medicine (MMed) degree.

In addition to the 6 years of undergraduate study and four years of post-graduate study, emergency medicine specialists also usually spend 1 year in student internship and 1 year in community service.

Find Relevant Employment Opportunities

Emergency Medical Practitioners have many opportunities for usually in large hospitals or clinics.

Find More Information from Relevant Regulatory Bodies

To find more information about specialists in emergency medicine, contact the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA).