OTASA Students
So you are almost an OT….Now what?
Useful Tips on what to expect
during community service in the
public sector
Expectations and Fears
- Excitement of graduating and becoming a professional
- Moving to a new place, becoming independent/working
- Potential language and cultural barriers
- Making mistakes and learning from them
- Feelings of incompetence (newly qualified!!!)
- Expect the unexpected
- COVID 19….
ICSP: Internship & Community Service Programme
- ± 280 CSOT posts Nationally, 3-4 choice, NDoH manages the system (https://icspinfo.dhmis.org/)
- Placement is independent of facility input, no access!
- ICSP guidelines (Bursary holders, SA Citizens, permanent residents, etc.)
- System uses an algorithm and spots are allocated accordingly
- Swops/transfers are allowed after first algorithm is placed (bursary holders must swop with bursary holders in same province, NOT for foreigners), Appeal
Benefits of joining OTASA as a student
- Student Leadership camp
- Adopt a student initiative
- Advocacy and change agency
President
email: president@otasa.org.za
Community Service Contract
- 12 month contract (1 Jan 31 Dec) as a public servant
- 22 day annual leave, 12 days sick leave, 4 months maternity leave, 5 days compassionate leave, 5 days family responsibility leave, etc. PLEASE use this responsibly!
- Understand why MSc or PG studies not supported in study leave
- On completion, Form 27 HPCSA, application for independent practice
Before You Leave Home
- Get organised and think ahead
- Learn how to change a tyre/service your car/jumper leads/AA
-
Gather basic information about the placement:
- Geographical location
- Road conditions
- What is available in the area
- Accommodation
- Have a good party 🙂
What to Pack
- Important documents with copies (ID, Degree, HPCSA, medical aid docs, medication, prescriptions…)
- Textbooks and Files
- Tax Form
- Camping Gear/ Map /Toolbox
- Music and a good book
- Comfort items (family photo’s/momentos)
- Camera
- ? Recipe book
Preparing for Community Service Placement
- Do some background checks of hospital /facility, phone if necessary and visit if possible, chat to last CSOT?
- Generally, OT HOD will make contact once they receive community service list of names
- Take down contact numbers/names
- Working hours, uniform, directions to dept ….
- ACCOMMODATION! (Hospital or private?)
- Sign contracts asap, banking forms, etc. (HR of facility)
Things to consider
- Accommodation: distance to hospital, your own car?
- Driver’s highly recommended, using govt vehicles may require ‘test’
- Write down emergency numbers in the event your phone goes missing
- Bank account, cheque account… 3 months bank statements/salary slips if you are going to take out your own phone contracts now! Parents sign surety
- Register with SARS
- Rental contracts, flatmates
Where to Start
- Hospital tour: Facilities and Staff
- Get to know existing hospital systems and protocols
- Assess environment and community
- Listen (Expectations….)
- Define your role as an OT (part of a bigger system)
- Get to know the staff and recognize/ value their inputs/ experience
Do
- Learn from mistakes, use the opportunity (develop professionally and personally), Keep good records and patient files
- Find a good support network (learn from senior colleagues and other health professionals)
- Pace yourself and know your limitations (own health vulnerabilities)
- Self reflect and use a journal
- Take responsibility for your actions
- Use your leave responsibly (good work ethic)
- Keep up with CPD
- Have fun!
Don't
- Be scared to try something new (within limits)
- Try to make changes too soon
- Give up if you don’t succeed the first time
- Have unrealistic expectations / sustainability
- Be afraid to ask questions
- Don’t forget that the patient is your first priority!
Support, mentorship & development
- Opportunities for skills development (varies between institutions), special leave, funding, IST
- Journal clubs within OT depts & or within institutions
- Provincial District Forums Meetings & CPD events
- National forum reps per province
- MOTH communication tree (e mail)
- OTASA, SASHT, OTOH, SAISI, LAOSA, other disciplines offering relevant workshops/courses
Support, mentorship & development In Rural
- Rural Rehab of SA ( RuReSA ) and ‘Allied’ Health Forums (formal platform)
- Sub district rehab meetings
- Basic and intermediate training is prioritised
- Rural have very little journal clubs or interest groups due to the vast areas that therapists have to cover; encouraged to do online events esp with COVID, attend courses as per operational requirements
National OT Forum reps
Clariza Nell
khot@ncpg.gov.za
Northern Cape
Caroline Thage
bthage@nwpg.gov.za
North West
Leanne Windsor
windsorl@fshealth.gov.za
Free State
Veda Alexander
alexandevt@fshealth.gov.za
Free State
Rogini Pillay
Rogini.pillay@westerncape.gov.za
Western Cape (Metro)
Angela Chetty
Angela.Chetty@kznhealth.gov.za
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Nolubeko Xuma Soyizwapi
Noly.xuma.soyizwapi@gmail.com
Eastern Cape
Jill Evertse
jill.evertse@echealth.gov.za
Eastern Cape
Post structure in public service
Salary Scales
- CSOT R244 311, plus 37% in lieu of benefits, ? Rural allowance
- Entry Gr 1 R 332 427, Gr 2 R389 794, Gr 3 R459 126
- Chief Gr 1 R 487 305, Gr 2 R557 184
- AD Gr 1 R540 840, Gr 2 R618 396
- DD Gr 1 R896 535, Gr 2 R 1025 891
- Performance management (SPMS/PERMIS) & progressive discipline
- Know your line function and channels of communication if you have challenges! (don’t run to the CEO, HPCSA/OTASA first)
- Bursary holders if you terminate your contract with the DoH before obligation period has been completed you may be required to pay back the money
Preparing for work post CS A note re: CV’s
- Keep track of what you do, diagnoses treated, courses attended
- What projects were you involved in (within dept, hospital, community)
- Did you assist with student training ( OT, others, support staff)
- Ask your supervisor or colleagues permission to act as a reference
- You will require this information for your CV
- Give a little background of the type of facility you worked at, not just the name! (Central, regional or district Hospital, CHC/DHS, psych, paeds, adults, urban/rural, etc)