REGISTERED COUNSELLOR GRADE 1 – 3 [MENTAL HEALTH] – [CONTRACT UP TO 31ST MARCH 2027]

This contract position within the Limpopo Department of Health is for a Registered Counsellor specialising in mental health, advertised at Grades 1 to 3 on the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD). The successful candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering an integrated psychological service to patients, with a strong emphasis on trauma and supportive counselling. Core responsibilities include screening patients and referring those requiring therapeutic intervention to a clinical psychologist, providing psychoeducation to patients and their families, and liaising with other professionals in the team regarding patient management and psychological issues. The role also carries a significant community psychology component, requiring outreach to peripheral district clinics where the counsellor will provide screening and counselling services and refer patients to other professionals for further management. In addition, the incumbent will be expected to develop intervention programmes based on the needs profiles of the communities served and to implement proactive, community-based interventions.

To be considered for this post, applicants must hold appropriate qualifications and be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Registered Trauma Counsellor, with current registration being a prerequisite. Experience requirements are structured by grade: Grade 1 requires no post-registration experience; Grade 2 requires a minimum of eight years’ appropriate experience as a Registered Trauma Counsellor, including supervisory and training skills; and Grade 3 requires at least sixteen years’ appropriate experience, also with supervisory and training skills. The role demands the ability to work within integrated multi-disciplinary teams across various platforms, along with strong leadership and administrative skills. Good problem-solving and report-writing abilities are essential, as is computer literacy in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and virtual meeting platforms. A valid driver’s licence and a willingness to travel are mandatory, given the outreach component.

The ideal candidate will exercise the highest degree of skill, care and diligence expected of a professional within this scope of practice, and must adopt a bio-psychosocial approach that takes into account the patient’s current medical and mental health. This is a demanding but rewarding role for a counsellor who is comfortable working autonomously in clinic settings as well as collaborating with a broader clinical team. The appointment is for a fixed-term contract as advertised, and the post is based within the Limpopo Department of Health. Applicants should ensure they meet all registration and experience criteria before applying, as the appointment will be made in line with the advertised OSD grades.