Occupational Therapist Grade 1 Job Opportunity – Department of Health (2026)

Occupational Therapist Grade 1 Job Opportunity – Department of Health (2026)

The Department of Health Occupational Therapist Grade 1 vacancy offers a strong entry point for qualified professionals seeking stable public sector employment in South Africa. This position sits within Clinical Support and Therapeutic Services and focuses on delivering structured, client-centred rehabilitation services in a psychiatric setting.

Two posts are available at Tara, the H. Moross Centre, with a salary package ranging from R397,223 to R454,191 per annum (excluding benefits). The role supports both inpatient and outpatient care, with emphasis on mental health rehabilitation, multidisciplinary teamwork, and evidence-based therapy delivery.

This guide explains everything you need to know, including requirements, duties, application steps, and submission rules to improve your chances of success.

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Table of Contents

• Job Overview
• Salary and Benefits
• Minimum Requirements
• Key Duties and Responsibilities
• Application Process
• Important Notes for Applicants
• Career Growth in Occupational Therapy
• Call to Action

Job Overview

The Occupational Therapist Grade 1 role forms part of South Africa’s public healthcare system. The position focuses on helping patients regain functional independence through structured therapeutic programs.

Core focus areas

• Psychiatric occupational therapy services
• Child and adolescent mental health support
• Rehabilitation planning and evaluation
• Group and individual therapy sessions

This role requires strong clinical judgement, teamwork, and commitment to patient-centred care.

Salary and Benefits

The position offers a competitive government salary structure:

• Annual salary: R397,223 – R454,191
• Employer: Department of Health (Gauteng Province)
• Workplace: Tara, the H. Moross Centre
• Additional benefits: Public service benefits according to government regulations

Public sector employment also offers structured career progression, job stability, and pension-linked benefits.

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Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet strict professional and academic standards.

Education and Registration

• Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Completion of community service
• Registration with HPCSA as an independent Occupational Therapist

Clinical Experience

• Experience in psychiatric occupational therapy
• Exposure to child and adolescent psychiatry improves selection chances

Additional Skills

• Strong communication skills
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team (MDT)
• Computer literacy for reporting and documentation
• Strong clinical reasoning and planning ability

Key Duties and Responsibilities

This role involves structured therapeutic care and administrative reporting.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Assessment and evaluation of patients
• Development of client-centred treatment plans
• Implementation of evidence-based therapy programs
• Delivery of individual and group occupational therapy sessions

Mental Health Services

• Psychiatric rehabilitation support
• Child and adolescent therapy interventions
• Functional skills development for patients

Administrative Duties

• Monthly statistics reporting
• Clinical documentation and case notes
• Participation in hospital meetings

Training and Development

• Supervision of university students (Wits University placements included)
• Participation in continuing professional development (CPD)
• Contribution to service improvement and quality assurance

Application Process

READ: How to Register on the GPG Professional Job Centre Website for Gauteng Government Vacancies

Applications must follow strict government recruitment rules.

Step-by-step process

• Submit applications through the Gauteng e-Recruitment portal
• Access portal
• Complete the new Z83 application form
• Attach a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Include HPCSA registration certificate and proof of current registration

Mandatory documents

• Completed and signed Z83 form
• Updated CV
• Professional registration proof (HPCSA card or certificate)

Important Notes for Applicants

Strict compliance rules apply. Missing documents lead to automatic disqualification.

Key instructions

• No payment required during application
• No hand-delivered, faxed, or emailed submissions
• Online submission only
• Incomplete Z83 form leads to rejection
• Foreign qualifications require SAQA evaluation

Selection process

• Shortlisted applicants receive interview communication
• Certification copies required at interview stage
• Background checks include:
  • Criminal record screening
  • Qualification verification
  • Reference checks
  • Financial and social media screening

Deadline

• Closing date: 17 April 2026

Career Growth in Occupational Therapy

This position supports long-term career development in public healthcare.

Growth opportunities

• Progression to Senior Occupational Therapist roles
• Specialization in psychiatric rehabilitation
• Leadership roles in hospital therapy units
• Academic and student supervision roles

Skills developed

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• Advanced clinical reasoning
• Mental health rehabilitation techniques
• Patient assessment and program design
• Multidisciplinary collaboration

Call to Action

Submit your application early to avoid technical issues and delays. Ensure all documents meet requirements before uploading to the e-Recruitment portal.

Apply through
Closing date: 17 April 2026

Occupational Therapist Grade 1 Job Vacancy 2026 – Department of Health Gauteng (Apply Online)

Apply for the Department of Health Occupational Therapist Grade 1 job in Gauteng. Two positions available at Tara H. Moross Centre with salary up to R454,191 per year. Learn requirements, duties, and application process before the 17 April 2026 deadline.