About the Role
The Department of Education is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals for the role of Education Therapist – Occupational Therapist at the Sigcau Special School and Tsolo Special School, both located in the scenic Eastern Cape. This position plays a crucial role in empowering learners with barriers to learning, ensuring they receive the necessary support to thrive in their educational journey. By joining this esteemed department, you will contribute to enhancing the quality of education and well-being of students in public special schools and public ordinary schools across South Africa.
As an Education Therapist, your work will directly impact the community by assessing learners’ levels of functioning, identifying barriers to learning, and implementing tailored occupational therapy interventions. You will collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to make informed decisions that benefit the learners, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. This role not only supports individual growth but also contributes to the broader goal of inclusive education within the province.
About the Department
The Department of Education is committed to providing quality education to all South African learners, regardless of their backgrounds or challenges. It aims to create an inclusive education system that addresses the diverse needs of students, particularly those in special schools. By working within this department, you will be part of a mission that strives to enhance educational access and opportunities for all, ensuring that every learner can succeed.
What You’ll Do
- Assess learners’ functioning levels and identify barriers to learning based on Occupational Therapy practices.
- Conduct screenings and administer formal and informal assessments to gather relevant information.
- Engage in multi-disciplinary team discussions to evaluate the need for therapeutic interventions.
- Provide direct and indirect Occupational Therapy services based on tailored therapy plans.
- Prescribe and manage assistive devices, ensuring effective support for learners.
- Maintain accurate records of Occupational Therapy services and interventions.
- Offer information about therapy programs to internal and external stakeholders, including parents and support teams.
- Conduct outreach services to Full-Service and Public Ordinary Schools, promoting inclusive education.
What You’ll Need
- A recognized Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution.
- Current and valid registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
- A minimum of one year of relevant clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist.
- Knowledge of Inclusive Education policies, Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) policy, and Integrated School Health Policy.
- Strong therapeutic assessment skills and the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.
- Excellent communication, consultation, and facilitation skills.
- Proficiency in computer literacy and report writing.
How to Apply
Please submit your application before the closing date as late applications will not be considered.
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.
Job 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.
