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Posted: Friday, June 01, 2012
The Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) is a local Lao-based, not-for-profit organisation that supports the provision and development of government-run rehabilitation services. Working with the National and Provincial Rehabilitation Centres (Ministry of Health, Government of Lao PDR), COPE supports the development of prosthetic & orthotic, physiotherapy and occupational therapy (OT) services. A dynamic team of COPE mentors work collaboratively to develop a multidisciplinary approach for rehabilitation services of persons with physical impairments. Occupational therapy is in its infancy in Lao PDR and there is currently no qualified Lao national OTs. COPE has been introducing the profession of OT over the last 2.5 years through its mentoring program training physiotherapists with occupational therapy skills. The COPE OT Mentor will work closely with a team of Lao national physiotherapists to train them with occupational therapy skills for adult and children’s services.
Key responsibilities:
- Development of OT services for adults and children at national and provincial rehabilitation centres in Lao PDR.
- Develop training strategy for adult OT services and implement existing training plan for paediatrics.
- Training of OT/ PT government staff on occupational therapy skills via formal (training courses) and informal (on the job) training.
- Act as a resource for staff in matters related to patient care whilst reinforcing your role as mentor
- Coordinate the production, availability and provision of assistive devices provided to children, and design/development of ADL devices for adults
- Development of multi-disciplinary working systems within the rehabilitation teams with COPE mentor team.
- Training of rehabilitation teams in core multi-disciplinary skills with mentor team.
- Develop and implement methods for increasing patient and families/ caregivers knowledge of disability management, including patient educational materials.
- Development of clinical protocols related to Evidence Based Practice (EBP) and adapted to cultural context of Lao PDR.
- Implement continuous monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of staff clinical competence by measurement of technical knowledge and clinical skills.
- Develop and maintain networks with OT training institutions in SE Asia and WFOT to ensure quality of OT training in Lao PDR.
Skills and Qualifications:
Essential
- Graduated Occupational Therapist from a program accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT).
- Minimum 5 years clinical experience in providing occupational therapy assessment and treatment.
- Clinical experience in the following areas:
- Adult neurology specifically clinical management of stroke
- Paediatric neurology specifically clinical management of cerebral palsy
- Provision of assistive technology
- Functional upper limb splinting and/ or hand therapy
- Training – Previous experience in developing and facilitating training, and clinical supervision of OT staff.
- Team work – Excellent team building, team working, and relationship building skills.
- Planning and Time Management – Able to prioritise tasks, manage time and work schedules effectively and meet deadlines.
- Representation – Ability to maintain good working relationship with government counterparts
- Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
- Experience and/or knowledge of intercultural and sensitive settings Experience and/or knowledge of the challenges of working in a health institution in a low income country.
- Fluency in English. Computer skills – MS Office, Outlook, Internet. Ability to travel and spend time away from base and home as required (based in Vientiane Capital 80% of time with travel to provincial centres).
Desirable
- Work experience or good understanding of the context of Lao PDR and/or Southeast Asia.
- Lao/ Thai language skills or willingness to learn a new language
Employment conditions:
The successful candidate will be offered an initial 12 month contract, with the possibility of extension.
Qualified candidates are invited to submit, in English and via e-mail, a cover letter and CV responding to the skills and qualifications of the position and including availability to the COPE Project Coordinator at cope.project.coordinator@gmail.com by Monday 11 June 2012.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.