This position is open in South Africa for relocation to Australia
Role: Occupational Therapist (this role will be working in Sydney, Australia)
Hours: Monday - Saturday 8am - 5pm AEST
Salary: Australian Award Rates
Scope of the Role:
Our client is seeking a dedicated Occupational Therapist to join their growing team in the Health and Disability industry. Persons working within this role are responsible for more complex, specialised, or intense support activities, including health and allied health practitioners and other specialists. The Occupational Therapist will assist people in overcoming limitations caused by injury, illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay, or the effects of aging. They will also assist people in moving from dependence to independence while maximising their productivity, well-being, and quality of life.
All practices are participant-focused and promote their choices, rights, and decisions. Due to the variable nature of participants, this role requires the worker to promote participants' voices, choices, and report any areas of concern. The Occupational Therapist must apply Child Protection Policies (Children's Act in South Africa) in their practices.
Key Responsibilities:
The Occupational Therapist delivers services and provides expert consultation and intervention to clients with disabilities who have complex needs, allowing them to participate fully in life. The therapist will provide tailored services in line with individual care plans as guided by the South African National Health Act and relevant disability support guidelines under SASSA and the Department of Social Development (DSD).
The Occupational Therapist is required to follow all policies and procedures and report to management:
- Feedback from participants (positive, constructive, and complaints).
- Changes in participant circumstances or environment.
- Work health and safety issues and concerns.
- Need for resources to undertake the role.
- If you think that the participant is experiencing discrimination, exploitation, neglect, abuse, or violence.
- When unsure of actions that should be undertaken.
- Stressed or anxious feelings.
Main Duties (General):
- Always check the participant's support plan before service provision.
- Implement personal hygiene and infection control procedures (in line with South African Department of Health guidelines).
- Be alert if you notice the participant is distressed or apathetic (uninterested or listless).
- Record strategies and practices as per the organisation's requirements.
Work Practices
The Occupational Therapist will provide a range of supports and services to enable effective participation in everyday activities, including:
- Activities of daily living: Showering, dressing, grooming, and eating.
- Household and community functioning: Home maintenance, driving, budgeting, shopping, and community mobility.
- Education: Activities that allow a person to participate effectively in a learning environment.
- Leisure and play: Reading, knitting, and playing sport.
- Social participation: Interacting positively with others in the community.
- Work: Participating in employment and volunteer activities.
- Assistive technology/environmental modifications: Assess and recommend assistive technology/environmental modifications.
- Comply with legal and certification requirements at all times.
- Incorporate Child Protection Policies (Children's Act in South Africa) in their practice when working with children and young people.
- Report any real or potential risks of harm to a participant, including children and young people.
Communication:
Occupational Therapists must:
- Communicate clearly, inclusively, and respectfully.
- Observe, listen, and check the participant's understanding.
- Adapt to the participant's age, culture, and cognitive ability.
- Understand individual communication – verbal and non-verbal.
- Use the best communication method to recognise the difference between self and participant.
- Avoid jargon and use appropriate tools to communicate.
- Be persistent and patient, and address communication barriers.
Build Trusted Relationships:
Occupational Therapists must:
- Build relationships based on mutual respect.
- Determine what makes the participant feel safe and valued.
- Work with both the participant and their important people to understand how they are involved.
- Communicate directly with the participant unless otherwise determined.
- Prioritise the participant's voice during any conflict.
- Treat participants equally but recognise the imbalance in the relationship.
- Recognise and report any threat in circumstances and environment.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy) or Bachelor/Master of Occupational Therapy.
- Current Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) registration.
- 2+ years of experience in a similar role (preferably working with people with disabilities).
- Experience and understanding of South African accessibility standards and their application following a person’s needs.
- Experience writing assessments and reports to monitor participant progress.
- Experience delivering therapy services to children, young people, and adults.
- Knowledge of continuous quality improvement principles.
- Experience in managing a caseload efficiently and effectively.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, policies, and procedures impacting the delivery of services to people with disabilities in South Africa.
- South African Police Clearance (equivalent to Worker Screening).
- Completion of an induction module aligned with South African regulations and standards.
- Continuing education courses to maintain certification and stay up-to-date on the latest practices.
Skills
- Creating a safe, effective environment.
- Motivating others.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to handle crises.
- Strong problem-solving and conflict management skills.
- Incident response and reporting procedures and protocols to ensure the participant's safety.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills to develop a professional rapport with a diverse range of people.
Benefits
- Training & Development.
- End-to-End experience and exposure.
- Direct access to high-level management.
- Relocation to Australia, including visa arrangements.
About the Company:
Our client specialises in disability support services aimed at empowering individuals to sustain their independence within the comfort of their own homes. From the outset, our client has been driven by a single, overarching mission: to cater to the unique needs and aspirations of each of their clients. Accessibility and affordability are at the forefront of their operations. Our client's team takes the time to offer the most effective support tailored to individual circumstances. Quality isn’t something our client compromises on, and provides timely, as-requested services to meet their clients' specific requirements.
