Additional information

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

Specialist Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are specialists in mental health issues. Unlike psychologists, psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication.

They diagnose, assess, treat and prevent human mental, emotional and behavioural issues.

Psychiatrists often deal with very complex and chronic mental health cases.

How to be an Specialist Psychiatrist in South Africa

Get the Required 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 Psychiatry)

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

Specialist Psychiatrists 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 and the other four years in post-grad studies to obtain a Master of Medicine in Psychiatry degree.

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

Find Relevant Employment Opportunities

Psychiatrists in South Africa have many opportunities for employment and often work in:

State hospitals
Clinics
Private practice

Find More Information from Relevant Regulatory Bodies

To find more information about specialist psychiatrists, contact the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) or the South African Society of Psychiatrists.