Occupational Therapist - Northern Suburbs
Background
U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exists to give homeless people the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 1997, we believe in life after homelessness . We believe that every homeless individual should have access to an effective pathway that addresses their physical, spiritual and emotional needs so they can leave the streets and become a long-term productive member of society.
To help homeless people overcome homelessness, we operate a phased approach that includes rehabilitation from substance abuse, counselling, life-skills training and work placement in one of our social enterprises. This allows candidates to test and apply the training they’ve received. In the process, the programme inculcates a healthy work ethic, furnishes modern job skills and gives 18-24 months of real work experience so that individuals can graduate and be gainfully employed in the modern South African economy.
The programme is yielding wonderful results. Our candidates typically graduate into open market employment and show an 80% long-term success rate! We are actively working to expand the programme to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.
Work-readiness program
The work-readiness department forms part of the Life Change Journey and is tasked with providing work-based rehabilitation and skills development training that prepares clients for graduation into the open labour market and reintegration into the community. One day a week, each client attends a training day where they access group therapy, counselling, and input using a specially designed curriculum. This cycle of learning and then application follows a graded approach and continues for as long as needed. It takes an average of 18 months. Case managers coordinate the entire intervention programme for the clients and work in close collaboration with the worksite managers.
The position
The position for an Occupational Therapist has become available within the interdisciplinary team working in the Northern Suburbs. The team consists of a senior Social Worker who manages the team, 2 social workers, a Life Coach, and an administrator. The ideal candidate will have a heart for utilizing their professional skills in the ministry and wants to learn and grow in the field of vocational rehab, addiction, and community reintegration.
Key areas of responsibility
- Conduct group and or individual assessments as part of the intake process. This includes sending feedback to Case-worker and Worksite.
- Manage a case-load of up to 10 clients, including assessment, intervention planning and implementation, monitoring and follow-up; and re-assessment; internal referrals to interdisciplinary team and external referrals to external service providers/healthcare professionals where necessary.
- Conduct life-skills and VOC Group sessions as part of the Personal Development Day program.
- Provide specific OT interventions for referred clients from other case workers.
- Take part in interdisciplinary team meetings regarding shared clients and provide OT-specific insight regarding the client's progress and process in the program.
- Provide interventions at worksites for specific clients as indicated through VOC assessments. Also, provide training to worksites regarding specific interventions indicative of the client's process.
- Assist the Unit manager in providing intervention at the U-turn Transitional Homes.
- Contribute to program development and training of staff as and when needed.
- Complete required data capturing, including service instances, client notes and progress reports.
- Use and contribute to existing planning and record-keeping systems to ensure continuous improvement of your areas of responsibility.
Experience and Skills
- A Qualified Occupational Therapist with up-to-date registration with HPCSA is essential.
- Driver’s License is essential.
- Experience in vocational rehab is beneficial.
- Experience in addiction care is beneficial.
- Experience working in an Interdisciplinary team is beneficial.
- Strong administrative skills are essential.
- Professionalism is essential.
Personal attributes
- Resourceful individual that is not easily flustered.
- Ability to self-motivate and work with minimal supervision.
- Collaborative team player – concerned with the team's success as well as individual performance.
- Emotionally mature individual.
- Problem solver who is open to change and able to take initiative.
- Willingness to learn and grow personally.
Next Steps
Candidates interested in this position must submit a letter of motivation and CV to The letter of motivation should be approximately 1 page in length and include information on why you would like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required knowledge skills set outlined above. Please note that applications without a letter of motivation will not be considered. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED. SHOULD YOU NOT HAVE HEARD FROM US WITHIN TWO WEEKS, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: R18000,00 - R22000,00 per month
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