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

This post is for a Registered Counsellor specialising in mental health, offered on a contract basis within the Limpopo Department of Health. The role is graded from Grade 1 to Grade 3, allowing appointment at a level commensurate with the candidate’s years of experience. The counsellor will work as part of an integrated multidisciplinary team, delivering a comprehensive psychological service to patients. This includes trauma and supportive counselling, screening patients for further therapeutic intervention, and referring them to a clinical psychologist when needed. The position also involves psychoeducation for patients and their families, as well as liaison with other professionals on patient management and psychological issues. A significant component of the work is community psychology, with outreach to peripheral district clinics, where the counsellor will conduct screening and counselling and refer patients to appropriate professionals for further management. The role also requires developing intervention programmes based on community needs profiles and implementing proactive, community-based interventions.

Candidates must hold appropriate qualifications and be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Registered Trauma Counsellor, with current registration maintained. Experience requirements vary by grade: Grade 1 requires no experience after registration, Grade 2 requires a minimum of eight years of appropriate experience as a Registered Trauma Counsellor along with supervisory and training skills, and Grade 3 requires at least sixteen years of appropriate experience, also with supervisory and training skills. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively within integrated multi-disciplinary teams across various platforms, and must possess leadership and administrative abilities. Good problem-solving skills and report writing skills 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 also required, given the outreach nature of the role.

The person appointed will be expected to exercise the highest degree of skill, care and diligence expected of professionals within their scope of practice, and to adopt a bio-psychosocial approach when considering the patient’s current medical and mental health. This is a contract post, so the successful candidate will be employed for a fixed term. The role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to mental health services in a district health setting, with a strong emphasis on community engagement and multidisciplinary collaboration.