Education Therapist - Occupational Therapist (Grade 1) ORTC (Sigcau Special School) at Eastern Cape Department of Education

Requirements         

• Degree in Occupational Therapy: A recognized Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution.
• HPCSA Registration: Current and valid registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is mandatory. One Year of Relevant Experience: A minimum of one year of experience or relevant clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist.
• Knowledge: Inclusive Education (IE) policies (White Paper 6); Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) policy; Special Schools as Resource Centres; and Integrated School Health Policy. Functionality of SBSTs and DBSTs.
• Skills: Therapeutic assessment and techniques; Multi-disciplinary teamwork; Preventative and developmental approach; Development of training programmes for the SBST; Report writing; Analysis of data and trends; Communication, consultation and facilitation skills; Computer literacy; Presentation skills and organising and planning.

Duties          

• To assess the learner’s level of functioning; to identify barriers to learning based on the Occupational Therapy’ scope of practice. To conduct screening for the learners; administer formal and informal assessments. Analyse and interpret information to make decisions regarding the need for therapeutic intervention, engage in multi-disciplinary team discussions, and make recommendations and/or referrals.
• Provide direct and indirect Occupational Therapy services based on an Occupational Therapy plan to learners in public special schools and public ordinary schools; determine individualised and group Occupational Therapy Services.
• Prescribe, issue, and maintain assistive devices; maintain records of Occupational Therapy Services. Provide appropriate information regarding programmes offered by therapists to internal and external stakeholders (e.g. School Based Support Team, District Based Support Team, parents. Manage Therapy support materials and equipment.
• Manage effective administration practices of Occupational Therapy interventions; ensure compliance with the code of Ethics of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). To assist in the placement of learners in the special schools. To conduct outreach services to other Full-Service and Public Ordinary Schools.