Disability Officer/Occupational Therapist

Higher Health; Vrystaat; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Higher Health in the Free State seeks a Disability Officer/Occupational Therapist to evaluate cognitive, physical and behavioural limitations and to design personalised rehabilitation plans. You will lead therapy sessions, train patients and families, assess assistive devices, and collaborate with disability organisations to improve independence. The role emphasizes records, KPIs and safety, with a closing date of 31 October 2026.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy and HPCSA registration.
• Experience with disability services, health management or inclusive education is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive evaluations to identify patient limitations across cognitive, physical and behavioural domains.
• Create personalised and realistic therapy goals and design rehabilitation programmes.
• Deliver evidence-based therapy sessions and train patients on assistive devices and accessibility.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Evaluation & goal setting

Therapy session design

Documentation & reporting

Assistive devices training

Education

Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy

BSc in Occupational Therapy

Tools

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Disability Officer/Occupational Therapist

Free State, South Africa | Posted on 14/10/2026

1. 1. Conducts comprehensive evaluations to identify patient limitations with respect to cognitive, physical and behavioural abilities
2. 2. Create personalised and realistic therapy goals
3. 3. Designing and implementing evidenced based therapy sessions
4. 4. Provide the necessary support that improve daily living skills and physical or cognitive functions
5. 5. Assess, recommend and training patients on assistive devices, wheelchairs and home or workplace accessibility
6. 6. Design rehabilitation programmes (medical, educational and vocational) to help patients return to work or re-enter society
7. 7. Manage daily patient schedules, meet productivity targets and handle administrative duties efficiently.
8. 8. Ensure clinical certification are current
9. 9. Attend the necessary training and ensure adherence to health, safety and ethical standards

Stakeholder Management and Relationships

1. 1. Develop home care plans and train family members, caregivers and employers on how to properly support the patient’s independence
2. 2. Building and maintaining partnerships with other occupational therapists, health care worker, medical specialists and disability organisations to stay updated on new processes and emerging standards
3. 3. Engage internal and external audiences through effective written and verbal communication
4. 4. Encourage and value feedback
5. 5. Establish efficiency channels and databases to resolve stakeholder queries and complaints
6. 6. Collaborate with other internal departments to satisfy other priority stakeholders

Reporting and Accountability

1. 1. Maintaining accurate, legally compliance medical records, progress notes and functional capacity reports
2. 2. Update and report on amongst others the departmental operational annual plans, and KPIs, stakeholders’ issues, query management and interventions, internal and external audits and risk
3. 3. Ensuring quality and safeguard reports in place which will include critical incidents, complaints and feedback, registration and intake data, service delivery, academic and workplace accommodations.

Requirements

Qualification

• • Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy or Bachelor of Science (Bsc) in Occupational Therapy
• • Registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) under the Professional Board for Occupational Therapy, Medical Orthotics, Prosthetics and Arts Therapy

Advantageous

• • Experience in private or public institutions or NGO’s or funding organisation
• • Understanding of legislative and business climate pertaining to disability
• • Experience in liaising with various stakeholders
• • Experience in the social and health sector projects

Experience

• • 1000 hours of supervised clinical fieldwork
• • One year community service
• • 1 to 3 years’ experience in Disability Services or Health Management or Inclusive Education
• • 1 to 3 years’ experience in Occupational Therapy, Social Work or Inclusive Teaching
• • Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Package (Ms Word, PowerPoint and Excel)

Closingdate: 31 October 2026

Employment Equity

Higher Health is committed to the principles ofEmployment Equity. In line with our Employment Equity Plan, preference may begiven to candidates from designated groups. All appointments will be made inaccordance with the organisation’s Employment Equity objectives.

Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.