Post Project Occupational Therapist in Handicap International

Project Occupational Therapist
Handicap International
Location : Srinagar/Ganderbal Jammu and Kashmir, India
Length of contract : Till 14th September 2010
Start date: ASAP
Closing date for application : 26th October 2009

Handicap International is an international organisation specialised in the field of disability. Non-governmental, non-religious, non-political and non-profit-making, it works alongside persons with disabilities, whatever the context, in response to humanitarian crises and the effects of extreme poverty. Handicap International implements programmes of assistance to persons and local organisations, inclusion programmes and programmes focusing on the fight against the main causes of disability. It runs projects in approximately 60 countries, with the support of a network of eight national associations (France, Germany, Belgium, Canada, the United States, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom and Switzerland)

The organisation employs almost 3300 people worldwide, 330 of whom work in France and in its European and North American national associations.

JOB CONTEXT
Since 1988, Handicap International is promoting mainstreaming of disability in all sectors to reduce vulnerability of persons with disabilities in India. Handicap International works in partnership for an inclusive, barrier-free and rights-based society. HI in India is currently implementing projects in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction, Public Health, Physical Rehabilitation, disabling diseases and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in states of Bihar, Orissa, Gujarat, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In accordance to its mandate, Handicap International has launched a project to develop quality rehabilitation services for children with disabilities in Kashmir (India) in partnership with a local NGO. The project has been launched with financial support from European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO). The overall objective of the project is to improve participation of Children with Disabilities (CwDs) and youth of Jammu and Kashmir (India) in mainstream society through building quality community based and specialised physical rehabilitation care.

JOB MANDATE
Under the overall leadership of Project Disability Manager, the Occupational Therapist will be a part of the project technical team.

KEY TASKS
I. THERAPY
§ Identify the individuals in need of rehabilitation, conduct initial assessment, and provide appropriate occupational therapy care .
§ Maintain good collaboration and coordination with PT/P&O/CBR and management / colleagues, particularly in terms of client treatment and follow up.
§ Identify and organize referral to appropriate internal (i.e. psychologist, recreational centre) and specialized services.
§ Develop education material to be distributed to patients and their families and transfer basic skills to family members to ensure proper care of the patients and to minimise the risks of secondary complications and to prevent disability.
§ Provide training to mothers and caregivers of children with disability on basic home therapy, activities of daily living (group and individual sessions) and use of hand positioning devices.
§ Support CBR team in developing training materials and providing training to community volunteers in areas relevant to Occupational Therapy.
§ To follow-up and arrange appropriate discharge of all patients in a timely manner.
§ Maintain individual file for each person with disability receiving Occupational Therapy and carry out regular follow up as per the requirement of the particular person.
§ Comply with the management systems of the Rehabilitation center pertaining to service delivery of PWDs.
§ To participate in the provision of essential equipment for the OT clinic and to ensure that the equipment is maintained in good working condition
§ To participate in the provision of an initial stock of supplies needed for the OT clinic and to ensure that regular inventories are carried out and additional supplies ordered as needed
§ To communicate regularly with PT (and P & O Manager as needed) to share information on patients and ensure that patients receive a cohesive treatment plan
§ To participate in the mobile clinic, carrying out all duties above specific to that mobile clinic


II. AIDS AND APPLIANCES
§ For people requiring aids and appliances for activities of daily living or positioning, identify, order (in a timely manner) and provide the appropriate items.
§ Provide training on aid or appliance use to the person and his/her family.
§ To support the CBR Officer in training of volunteers on aids and appliances.
§ Follow-up provision of aids and appliances by volunteers and ensure appropriate use.
§ Undertake appropriate design and modification of aids and appliances, and of home environment based on specific individual and home/camp context.

III. REPORTING AND COORDINATION
§ Respect all guidelines of documentation within the project.
§ Keep data records in respect of each patient seen, using the standard format.
§ Write case studies (also support the project team to do the same) on beneficiaries and activities of the project.
§ Write activity and progress reports, including compilation of statistics.
§ Support the Project Disability Manager in carrying out monitoring and evaluation of the project activities to ensure expected results are being reached and activities are implemented according to the work plan.
§ Regular collaboration with implementing partners, health facilities and other organizations/authorities as required.

CANDIDATE PROFILE
Bachelors Degree in Occupational Therapy from accredited University
Minimum 4 yrs experience as Occupational Therapist preferably with INGO/NGO. Experience in CBR is advantage.
Good training skills
Good organisation & adaptive skills
High level of flexibility and strong interpersonal skills
Familiar with MS Office, Internet and emails.
Good verbal and written abilities in English & Hindi as well as the capacity to interact with different kind of stakeholders (families, volunteers, local government officials). Knowledge of local language will be an advantage.

Gross salary will be in the range of INR 20000 – 25000 pm and will commensurate with experience and qualification of the selected candidate. In addition, the other benefits are accidental & hospitalization insurances, medical reimbursement for self & dependents (maximum INR 10000 p.a).

Handicap International is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people with Disabilities for employment in HI.

Please send in your resume with cover letter to jobs@handicap-international-india.org. Please mention the position “Occupational Therapist – J&K” in the subject of the e-mail. Kindly note that the resumes with incorrect subject on the e-mail will not be valid for screening.