Occupational Therapist

Job description

Summary
U-turn is a leading organisation in developing pathways out of homelessness. A new position has opened for an occupational therapist to join the U-turn team. The Occupational Therapist will head up the programme that covers the first 2 intervention phases of the full U-turn programme in Wynberg Cape Town. He/she will report directly to the centre manager and work under the clinical direction of the clinical manager in the area.


This position

The Occupational Therapist is responsible for implementing the programmes and centre, preparing homeless individuals for referral to the work-readiness programme or alternative long-term residential programmes that support long-term reintegration outcomes. The role will require a thorough understanding of addiction and strong networking and problem-solving ability.

The OT will have the assistance of a Recovery Coach to help facilitate groups and peer-workers/programme staff to assist with service delivery. The OT’s role will be to set up the programme at the new centre, grading activities and ensuring the environment is conducive to development, train staff in relevant client-management principles, as well as providing the necessary group and individual intervention to see clients
successfully through the first stage of the U-turn programme.

Background

U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exists to equip homeless people with the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 1997, we believe in life after homelessness. We believe that every homeless individual is intrinsically valuable and should have access to an effective pathway that addresses their physical, spiritual and emotional needs so they can leave the streets and become a long-term productive member of society.
To help homeless people overcome homelessness, we operate a phased approach that includes rehabilitation from substance abuse, counselling, life-skills training and sheltered work placement in one of our social enterprises. This allows candidates to test and apply the training they’ve received. Through this process, the programme inculcates a healthy work ethic, furnishes modern job skills and gives 18-24 months of real work experience so that individuals can graduate and be gainfully employed in the modern South African economy.
The programme is yielding wonderful results. Our candidates typically graduate into open market employment and show an above 85% long term success rate! We are actively working to expand the programme to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.

Service Centres

The work-readiness programme is tasked with providing work-based rehabilitation and skills development training that prepares clients for graduation into employment and reintegration into the community. One day per week, each client attends a training day where they access group therapy delivered by an interdisciplinary team, individual counselling and input using a specially designed curriculum. This cycle of learning and application follows a graded approach and continues for as long as needed (on average 18 months). Case-managers coordinate the entire intervention programme for the clients and work in close-collaboration with the worksite managers.

Work-readiness programme

The work-readiness programme is tasked with providing work-based rehabilitation and skills development training that prepares clients for graduation into employment and reintegration into the community. One day per week, each client attends a training day where they access group therapy delivered by an interdisciplinary team, individual counselling and input using a specially designed curriculum. This cycle of learning and application follows a graded approach and continues for as long as needed (on average 18 months). Case-managers coordinate the entire intervention programme for the clients and work in close-collaboration with the worksite managers.

Transitional Accommodation

Due to the nature of our long-term interventions, we run transitional accommodation in the form of group homes where clients accessing our Work-readiness program can move into when leaving homeless shelters. These homes are managed by a house-manager that along with service centre staff, works-site managers and therapeutic staff forms the client-facing team assisting the clients along the full Life Change journey.

Key areas of responsibility

• Oversee the outcomes of the Change-readiness and Rehab Support programmes at the centre
• Plan daily activity groups for clients still living on the street (often still in active addiction) and train staff to facilitate groups effectively to create graded, meaningful engagement and increase motivation for change.
• Complete necessary referrals to adequate treatment centres (in and outpatient,s as well as mental health facilities) and accommodation options
• Case-manage enrolled clients, keeping them accountable to programme goals and outcomes and ensuring access to all necessary services and support in order to meet these outcomes
• Run Recovery skills groups as a supplement to the treatment clients receive at third-party programmes.
• Supervise the peer-interns’ work practices and train them on group facilitation, understanding addiction
• Create referral networks for accommodation, medical and mental health treatment
• Use and contribute to existing planning and record-keeping systems to ensure continuous improvement
  of your areas of responsibility.

Experience and Skills

• Qualified Occupational therapist with updated registration.
• Experience in the field of addiction and/or mental health treatment
• Driver’s license
• An individual with strong self-management and problem-solving

Personal attributes

• Passion for U-turn’s mission and values.
• Strong leadership with a collaborative mindset.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Organisational Fit (where applicable)

• If in Recovery – actively engaged in own ongoing recovery, accessing accountability
  support and practicing recovery behaviour
• If employed as a Professional – affiliation with professional board, continued personal development and accessing supervision
• Gospel orientation – connected to a local fellowship of believers, reading the Bible and grounded in Gospel-motivated Social Action

Next Steps
Candidates interested in this position should apply using the online application form. You must include a CV and a letter of motivation as part of the application. The letter of motivation should be approximately 1 page in length and include information on why you would like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required skills and attitudes outlined above. Applications without a letter of motivation will NOT be considered. IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM US WITHIN 4 WEEKS, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL

Posted on 12 Dec 12:52, Closing date 10 Feb