Occupational Therapist

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Employed on a two year contract the position holder will be responsible for developing and implementing appropriate and evidence-based occupational therapy for patients in order to improve their body function and performance of activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides evidence-based occupational therapy to patients according to their levels of function and severity of impairments.
• Responsible for fabrication of thermoplastic splints in collaboration with other rehabilitation professionals.
• Responsible for quality control of assistive devices as required by patients.
• Ensure maintenance of all occupational therapy equipment by ensuring regular servicing by the Maintenance Team.
• Supports Spiritual Team to monitor use of play room and therapeutic playground.
• Advises on home and workplace environmental alterations, such as adjustments for wheelchair access, recommend changes in patients' living environment that are consistent with their needs and capacities.
• Provides on-the-job training about Pediatric rehabilitation to colleagues, students and volunteers.
• Participates in developing and or updating condition-specific rehabilitation protocols.
• Updates patient records and health educates the patient’s caregivers/family about the patient’s progress.
• Compiles monthly service reports with statistics of patients seen and any challenges faced.
• Promotes multidisciplinary treatment approach by liaising with other professionals, such as doctors, physiotherapists, social workers, prosthetics and orthotics team , as well as patients' families, caregivers and employers.
• Participates in focus group discussions for caregivers and patients.
• Reports all accidents and untoward incidents to the Rehabilitation Services Manager and completes an incident form.

• Implements network and hospital policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines.

• Participates in research in the department.
• Participates in ward rounds to communicate treatment plans and support the medical team in providing holistic patient centred care.
• Represents the hospital at rehabilitation related activities when requested.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Provide occupational therapy and splinting (using thermoplastic materials) to a minimum of 130 patients monthly and update the patients records in the EMR in real time.
• Participate in developing and or updating at least one condition specific rehabilitation SOP or guideline monthly.
• Participate in at least 10 continuous professional development (CPD) sessions in Paediatric rehabilitation for the rehabilitation team annually.
• Participate in monthly departmental meetings.
• Participate in at least 4 information, education and communication (IEC) training sessions (caregiver workshops and focus group discussions) for patients and their caregivers annually.

Qualification, Experience and Skills

• Degree in Occupational Therapy. 
• Appropriate licensure and credentialing as required in the country for the practice of occupational therapy.
• 3-5 years work experience.
• Knowledge of protocols for occupational therapy and rehabilitation of children with disabilities.
• Communication Skills - Able to clearly present information through the spoken or written word; read and interpret complex information; listen well.
• Integrity - Able to be tactful, maintain confidence, and foster an ethical work environment; prevent inappropriate behavior by co-workers; give proper credit to others; handle all situations honestly.
• Quality - Able to maintain high standards despite pressing deadlines; establish high standards and measures; do work right the first time; test new methods thoroughly; reinforce excellence as a fundamental priority.
• Relationship Management - Able to develop rapport with others and recognize their concerns and feelings; build and maintain long-term associations based on trust; help others.
• Teamwork - Able to share due credit with co-workers; display enthusiasm and promote a friendly group working environment; work closely with other departments as necessary; support group decisions and solicit opinions from co-workers; display team spirit.

OTHER DUTIES
Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the co-worker for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Co-worker must perform other tasks, duties, and projects as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a co-worker encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The co-worker must perform all duties in conformance to appropriate safety and security standards.

The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a co-worker to perform the essential duties of this position successfully.

1. The co-worker must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 35 pounds.
2. While performing the duties of this position, the co-worker is required to:
   1. Frequently; sit, use fine finger dexterity, talk, and hear.
   2. Frequently; stand, walk, reach with hands and arms.
3. To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
4. The co-worker must perform all duties in conformance to appropriate safety and security standards.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

Beit CURE Children’s Hospital Malawi is an equal opportunity employer that promotes disability inclusion. Qualified individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.