Occupational Therapist Grade 1–3
Job Overview
- Job Title: Occupational Therapist Grade 1–3
- Reference Number: H/O/11/2026
- Post Number: POST 37/150
- Employer: Free State Department of Health
- Work Location: Free State Psychiatric Complex Hospital, Free State
- Salary: Depends on the occupational therapist grade
- Closing Date: Not provided in the supplied advertisement
- Enquiries: Mrs M. Moore – (051) 407 9482 / 9319
Salary and Benefits
The successful candidates will receive a salary according to their applicable occupational therapist grade, plus the benefits specified in the advertisement.
- Grade 1: R413,121 – R472,359 per annum
- Grade 2: R482,499 – R550,389 per annum
- Grade 3: R564,822 – R683,808 per annum
Additional benefits include a 13th cheque, housing allowance and optional medical aid, subject to the prescribed requirements.
Job Description
The Free State Psychiatric Complex Hospital is seeking suitably qualified and registered Occupational Therapists for appointment at Grade 1, Grade 2 or Grade 3.
The successful candidates will provide occupational therapy assessment and treatment services to adult or paediatric patients with physical or psychiatric disorders. The role involves developing and implementing appropriate therapeutic interventions, supporting patient rehabilitation and recovery, supervising students and allocated staff, and ensuring the delivery of compassionate, safe and quality occupational therapy services.
Candidates must work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and comply with the Occupational Therapy scope of practice, the Mental Health Care Act and applicable provincial, hospital and departmental policies.
Minimum Requirements
Qualifications and Professional Registration
Applicants must have:
- A degree in Occupational Therapy.
- Completed the community service year in Occupational Therapy.
- Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an independent-practice Occupational Therapist.
- Current HPCSA registration for the 2026/2027 period.
- A valid driver’s licence.
Relevant work exposure, further training and additional education will be advantageous.
Experience Requirements
The required experience depends on the grade applied for.
Grade 1
- For South African-qualified applicants who completed community service: No additional experience after HPCSA registration is required.
- For foreign-qualified applicants who are not required to complete community service in South Africa: At least one year of relevant experience after HPCSA registration.
Grade 2
- For South African-qualified applicants who completed community service: At least 10 years of experience after HPCSA registration.
- For foreign-qualified applicants who are not required to complete community service in South Africa: At least 11 years of relevant experience after HPCSA registration.
Grade 3
- For South African-qualified applicants who completed community service: At least 20 years of experience after HPCSA registration.
- For foreign-qualified applicants who are not required to complete community service in South Africa: At least 21 years of relevant experience after HPCSA registration.
Required Knowledge and Skills
Candidates should demonstrate the following:
- Computer literacy, particularly Microsoft Word and Excel.
- Knowledge of public service legislation, policies and procedures.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Analytical thinking, independent decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication abilities.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Good records-management skills.
- Ability to participate actively in planned programmes that promote staff involvement, capacity building, open communication and participative management within Therapeutic and Medical Support Services.
Key Responsibilities
1. Occupational Therapy Assessment and Treatment
- Assess and treat adult or paediatric patients with physical or psychiatric disorders within the allocated clinical workload.
- Assist with other clinical workloads when required.
- Implement effective and efficient occupational therapy services in accordance with the professional scope of practice.
- Promote compassionate, safe and quality patient care in line with the Mental Health Care Act.
- Participate in quality assurance projects to improve occupational therapy service delivery.
2. Clinical Administration and Compliance
- Perform allocated administrative duties and functions required for the job and area practice profile.
- Adhere to provincial, hospital and departmental policies, procedures, guidelines and regulations.
- Participate in quality assurance activities.
- Maintain effective information and risk management within occupational therapy services.
- Contribute to policy development when required.
3. Supervision and Training
- Oversee allocated officials.
- Supervise Occupational Therapy students.
- Provide training and supervision to relevant staff and students.
- Participate in continuing professional development (CPD) activities.
- Engage in ongoing professional learning and development within Occupational Therapy.
4. Communication and Collaboration
- Communicate effectively with patients, colleagues and other stakeholders.
- Follow the correct communication channels.
- Participate in collaboration within and between departments.
- Work with relevant stakeholders, including the University of the Free State, licensed non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and rehabilitation services.
5. Resource and Equipment Management
- Manage allocated resources, including consumables and equipment.
- Exercise care when using hospital equipment and supplies.
- Support the efficient use of resources to maintain effective occupational therapy services.