Jessica Smith
General Practitioner / Medical Officer
Cape Town,WC
Summary
General Practitioner experienced in providing comprehensive, evidence-based primary care across the lifespan. Delivered holistic, patient-centred care with expertise in women’s health, including contraception, LARC procedures, and menopause management. Managed acute and chronic conditions while fostering continuity of care within collaborative private healthcare environments.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
General Practitioner (Private)
Willowmead Medical Centre
Rondebosch East, Cape Town
01.2023 - Current
- Delivered comprehensive primary healthcare in busy private general practice, effectively managing acute and chronic conditions across diverse patient demographics.
- Deliver evidence-based chronic disease management, including diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, in accordance with current clinical guidelines and preventative care principles.
- Provide preventative and screening-based healthcare, including vaccinations, bowel cancer screening, mammogram referrals and lifestyle counselling.
- Particular interest in women’s health, including:contraception counselling and management
insertion and removal of long-acting reversible contraceptive devices, including subdermal implants and intrauterine devices
menstrual concerns and PMDD
cervical cancer screening and Pap smears
speculum and pelvic examinations
recurrent UTIs and vaginal dysbiosis
perimenopause and menopause care
menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and non-hormonal treatment options
genitourinary syndrome of menopause
PCOS management
- Supported patients in multidisciplinary weight management and obesity medicine within collaborative weight loss clinic model, emphasizing sustainable lifestyle change and improved long-term health outcomes.
- Managed diverse mental health conditions, focusing on peripartum and postpartum support, helping women navigate challenges of early parenthood.
- Perform minor surgical procedures including skin biopsies, excision biopsies and suturing.
- Work collaboratively with private specialists and allied healthcare professionals to support coordinated, patient-centred multidisciplinary care, with established referral networks across multiple disciplines.
- Comfortable managing complex cases collaboratively and drawing on specialist input when appropriate.
- Maintain strong commitment to continuous professional development and evidence-based medicine, regularly engaging with current literature, CPD activities and clinical resources including UpToDate.
Medical Officer - Dr Abdurahman CDC
Western Cape Department of Health
Cape Town, South Africa
09.2022 - 07.2024
- Worked as a part-time Senior Medical Officer in a busy government primary healthcare setting, managing a broad range of acute and chronic conditions across diverse patient populations.
- Provided care across multiple clinical areas including emergency medicine, women’s health, Basic Antenatal Care (BANC), infectious diseases and chronic disease management.
- Provided comprehensive primary healthcare services, focusing on preventative care, acute consultations, and continuity-based chronic care to enhance patient health outcomes.
- Gained extensive experience in HIV and tuberculosis management within a high-volume public sector setting.
- Mentored and trained nurses, interns, and junior medical staff through in-service training and clinical supervision, fostering professional development in clinical practice.
- Worked collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to coordinate ongoing patient care and referrals.
Medical Officer - Symphony Way CDC
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
Cape Town
01.2020 - 09.2022
- Worked as a full-time Medical Officer in a government primary healthcare clinic under the supervision and mentorship of Family Physicians.
- Managed acute and chronic medical conditions, including emergency presentations and infectious diseases, ensuring comprehensive care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Utilised training from a Diploma in HIV Management and additional short courses to provide evidence-based HIV and TB care, including management of complex infectious disease cases.
- Implemented programmes to improve clinic efficiency and continuity of care, including a multidisciplinary HIV treatment failure programme, restructuring of the INR service, and establishment of a palliative care service.
- Provided clinical supervision and in-service training to nursing staff and junior doctors.
- Implemented programmes enhancing clinic efficiency and continuity of care, including a multidisciplinary HIV treatment failure programme, restructuring of INR service, and establishing palliative care service.
- Performed minor surgical procedures, contributing to effective multidisciplinary, patient-centred care in a high-volume public healthcare setting.
Community Service - KMPSS
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
Cape Town, South Africa
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Managed a broad range of acute and chronic medical conditions, including initial stabilisation of emergency presentations.
- Managed a broad range of acute and chronic medical conditions, including initial stabilization of emergency presentations.
- Enhanced triage and rapid clinical decision-making in high-pressure clinical environments.
- Collaborated within multidisciplinary teams to deliver evidence-based, patient-centred care.
Intern - Ngwelezana Hospital
KwaZulu Natal Department of Health
KwaZulu Natal
01.2017 - 12.2018
- Completed medical internship in a rural, resource-limited healthcare setting, gaining broad exposure to primary care, emergency medicine and inpatient management.
- Conducted clinical obstetric assessments focused on antenatal care, ensuring fetal growth monitoring and safe pregnancy surveillance.
- Managed diverse acute medical and surgical cases in a high-demand clinical environment, enhancing patient care delivery.
- Developed strong foundational clinical, procedural and decision-making skills in a resource-constrained setting.
- Presented research at RHINO Conference (Rural Health Initiative for Neonatology and Obstetrics), contributing to academic discussion in rural maternal and neonatal care.
Education
Post Graduate Diploma in Palliative Medicine -
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa 04.2001 -
Diploma in HIV Management -
College of Medicine South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa 04.2001 -
MBBch -
University of Witwatersrand
Johannesburg 04.2001 -
Skills
- Holistic primary care
- Chronic disease management
- Preventative health care
- Routine health assessments
- Infectious disease management
- Reproductive health
- Family planning services
- Hormonal health management
- Mental health management
- Minor procedures & suturing
- Evidence-based practice
- Strong clinical judgment
- Teamwork and referrals
- High workload management
- Strong work ethic
- Compassionate care
Timeline
General Practitioner (Private)
Willowmead Medical Centre
01.2023 - Current
Medical Officer - Dr Abdurahman CDC
Western Cape Department of Health
09.2022 - 07.2024
Medical Officer - Symphony Way CDC
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
01.2020 - 09.2022
Community Service - KMPSS
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
01.2019 - 12.2019
Intern - Ngwelezana Hospital
KwaZulu Natal Department of Health
01.2017 - 12.2018
Post Graduate Diploma in Palliative Medicine -
University of Cape Town
04.2001 -
Diploma in HIV Management -
College of Medicine South Africa
04.2001 -
MBBch -
University of Witwatersrand
04.2001 -