Job Description

Summary

U-turn is looking for an Occupational Therapist to join their Johannesburg team in September 2025.This person will be based in Melville where they will be responsible for setting up an VOC AssessmentSite, as well as spend at least 25% of their time at the personal development site in Sophiatown. He or she will report directly to the clinical manager in the area, and work alongside the Retail Manager at the assessment site as well as the rest of the therapeutic team at the personal development site.

This position:

U-turn's work-readiness programme offers supported employment as part of the journey out of homelessness. The role of the OT will be to assist with the conversion of U-turn's current Melville Store into an integrated worksite that will include the vocational assessment rehab centre for all clients coming onto the work programme, as well as include a sheltered employment component for clients needing ongoing intervention.

After assessment (and re-assessment where longer intervention was required), the OT will place clients out into U-turn's other supported worksites or make application to long-term sheltered employment where indicated. When clients are placed into U turn's supported employment worksites, the OT will be responsible for training the managers on any specific adaptations required to accommodate the client's specific needs and conduct follow up visits to assess development. He/she will also have a case load of clients on the U-turn programme.

The ideal candidate would be someone who is passionate about recovery, interested in vocationalrehabilitation and able to engage various stakeholders in order to create a referral network.

Key areas of responsibility

Lead the conversion of the current Melville shop into an effective Vocational assessment and Rehabilitation site that includes the necessary assessments, policies and procedures and process flows. Conduct group and or individual assessments as part of the intake process. This includes a battery of assessments, report-writing, recommendations and referral.
Create individual intervention plans for those that need further vocational rehabilitation and provide necessary intervention and reassessment.

Update and implement the initial 3 week orientation programme Along the Clinical manager, after the orientation period, place clients into the other U-turn supported worksites and guide work site managers on work structures, processes and adaptations to support each individual client's aims. Conduct follow up visits on a regular basis to assess and provide feedback. Engage stakeholders to create a network for referral for those that need long term supportive work and accommodation placements. Manage a case-load of the clients on the program Supervise students placed at the site for clinical practice blocks and train and supervisesupport staff where relevant. Take part in interdisciplinary team meetings regarding shared clients and provide OT specific insight regarding the client's progress and process in the program Contribute to programme development and training of staff as and when needed Complete required data capturing incl. service instances, client notes and progress reports Use and contribute to existing planning and record keeping systems to ensure continuous improvement of your areas of responsibility

Experience and Skills

Occupational Therapist registered with the HPCSA Experience working in the addiction field and Vocational rehabilitation Driver's license Strong administrative skills A collaborative team player - concerned with the team's success as well as individual performance Emotionally mature individual

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 online at https://homeless.org.za/careers/. The letter of motivation should be 1 page in length and include information on why you would like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required knowledge skills set outlined above. Please note that applications without a letter of motivation will not be considered.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person