Education Therapist Specialist - Occupational Therapist (Grade 1) ANW (MT. Frere CMC) at Eastern Cape Department of Education

Requirements         

• RVQ 13/14 qualification in Occupational Therapy recognised by SAQA. Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as Occupational Therapist. Registration with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) will be an added advantage. 
• Five-years of relevant experience after registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
• Knowledgeable about National and Provincial Education legislation, policies and regulations (e.g. Health Professions Act, Screening Identification Assessment and Support policy (SIAS), South African Schools Act (SASA), Employment of Educators Act (EEA), White Paper 6 (Support for special needs learners), Analytic, diagnostic and assessment tools,Intervention methods,
• Child development,Therapeutic models and techniques, Understanding of group dynamics, Protocol and professional ethics.

Duties          

• Assess the learner’s level of functioning to identify barriers to learning based on the Occupational Therapists’ scope of practice: 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 intervention (direct and indirect therapy) relating to barriers to learning: Provide direct and indirect Occupational Therapy services based on an Occupational Therapy plan to learners in public special schools and public ordinary schools; determine individualized and group Occupational Therapy; prescribe, issue, and maintain assistive devices; maintain records of Occupational Therapy, effective administration practices and report to supervisors as required.
• Engage in therapeutic capacity-building programmes and skills sharing on related therapy issues/matters: Provide direct and indirect Occupational Therapy services based on an Occupational Therapy plan to learners in public special schools and public ordinary schools; Provide appropriate information regarding programmes offered by therapists to internal and external stakeholders (e.g., School Based Support Team, District Based Support Team, parents etc.).
• Promote awareness of the different therapy disciplines; participate in awareness campaigns of different disabilities; provide direct or indirect outreach services when required; engage in continuous professional developmental activities based on the relevant programmes offered in the school; supervise undergraduate Occupational Therapy students and therapy assistants as required.
• Manage Therapy support materials and equipment: Request appropriate and adequate therapy support materials and equipment based on learner needs; safeguard therapy support materials and equipment; maintain records of therapy material, equipment and the issuing of assistive devices and report faults and maintenance needs of the materials and equipment; participate in inter and intra-sectoral networks and collaborations.
• Participate in inter- and intra-sectoral networks and collaborations. Collaborate and interact with stakeholders (e.g., Department of Health, Department of Social Development, local government, and the broader Community).
• Management and Administration: Manage effective administration practices of Occupational Therapy interventions; ensure compliance with the code of Ethics of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA); practice sound interpersonal relations, engage actively in performance appraisals per requirement.