OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST GRADE 1 TO 3 (6/8TH POST)

This position offers an opportunity for a qualified occupational therapist to join the Western Cape Department of Health at Tygerberg Hospital, one of the province’s major tertiary referral centres. The post is advertised as an Occupational Therapist Grade 1 to 3, with the appointment level determined by the successful candidate’s years of relevant experience after registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). It is a 6/8th post, meaning the salary is proportionally adjusted, and the role sits within the hospital’s occupational therapy department, where the incumbent will deliver services primarily in the clinical areas of physical rehabilitation, including amputations, orthopaedics, trauma, and internal medicine. The working environment is described as high pressure and fast paced, requiring resilience, strong teamwork, and the ability to manage a varied caseload effectively.

To be considered, applicants must hold an appropriate qualification that allows for registration with the HPCSA as an occupational therapist, and they must be registered with the council. For Grade 1, no post-registration experience is required for South African qualified employees, while foreign qualified applicants who are exempt from community service need at least one year of relevant experience. Grade 2 requires a minimum of ten years of relevant experience for RSA qualified employees, or eleven years for foreign qualified employees in that exemption category. Grade 3 demands twenty years of relevant experience for RSA qualified employees, or twenty-one years for foreign qualified employees. Candidates who are not yet registered with the HPCSA may also apply, provided they submit proof of application for registration and payment of the prescribed fees on or before the day of the interview; this concession applies only to health professionals applying for the first time for registration as an occupational therapist.

The core duties include conducting comprehensive assessments and providing occupation-based treatment, with a strong focus on the specified clinical areas, while remaining flexible to cover other units as operational needs arise. The therapist will perform basic to intermediate level wheelchair assessments and seating interventions, fabricate and prescribe upper and lower limb splints, and recommend assistive technology suited to patients’ medical conditions. Discharge planning must be executed in line with departmental procedures, and the role involves independent case management through participation in ward rounds and multidisciplinary meetings. The successful candidate will also contribute to the ongoing development of the clinical area, assist with managing physical resources within the occupational therapy department, and provide training and supervision to occupational therapy students.

Applicants should possess excellent clinical skills in physical rehabilitation, sound computer literacy, and practical competence in wheelchair assessment, prescription, and provision, as well as splinting. A thorough knowledge of relevant provincial and national legislation is essential, along with strong interpersonal, organisational, and planning abilities. The ability to work well within a team and cope with the demands of a busy tertiary hospital environment is critical. No payment of any kind is required when applying for this post, and all enquiries should be directed to the contact person listed in the advertisement. This is an excellent opportunity for both newer graduates and experienced therapists seeking a challenging role within a reputable public health institution.