Occupational therapists

People suffering from mental health problems are one of the most disadvantaged groups in Sri Lanka. VSO volunteers are helping develop more accessible mental health services that encourage recovery. There is a need to strengthen the pre-service education of staff delivering rehabilitation services, especially occupational therapy. An estimated 64 OTs are practising in Sri Lanka, largely within a secondary care setting, for a population with varied occupational therapy needs. To build a more flexible workforce, and improve retention and morale, University of Kelaniya is upgrading the current 2-year OT Diploma into the first ever BSc course taught in Sri Lanka. As an Occupational Therapy Lecturer at the University, you’ll play a pivotal role in launching the BSc course and guiding its initial development.

What does the role involve?

• Work with local colleagues, especially the course coordinator, within the Department for Disability Studies to support delivery of the OT BSc
• Teach and assess course units relevant to your areas of specialist interest or experience
• Support and develop clinical supervisors and assure the quality of clinical practice
• Mentor BSc students during their clinical training placements
• Work with the Sri Lanka society of Occupational Therapists to raise the profile of OT and the value of a multidisciplinary approach

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll need to be a registered Occupational Therapist, with a BSc or MSc in OT from an educational institution recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. You’ll need at least 2 years’ clinical experience within the last five years, and experience of training, mentoring or developing others. Experience of formal teaching is highly desirable.

As you’ll be working closely with other lecturers at the Department and a core group of OTs, who have designed the curriculum and who will teach on selected modules, the ability to build strong working relationships is important. You’ll also need the ability to work proactively under your own initiative and adapt to a new way of living and working. Although academic colleagues and many OTs speak English, most other staff and patients have limited English, so you will need the willingness to learn some Sinhala: VSO will provide language training.

And the rest...

The University is located just outside the capital Colombo, in the ancient and historic city of Kelaniya, on the north bank of the Kelani River. The Department of Disability Studies is situated within the Faculty of Medicine, on a 35-acre campus at Ragama. You’ll be living in modest accommodation with electricity and running water. With a network of volunteers based in nearby Colombo, you’ll have no problem finding entertainment in the city.

We’ll ask you to volunteer for 24 months, to ensure the BSc is well established. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We provide extensive training before your placement, volunteering allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. NHS employees can volunteer with continued membership of the NHS pensions scheme.