PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
The department offers both profession-specific and multi-disciplinary (rehab) in-service training and meetings on a regular basis. The department operates within the same building, and the emphasis is on multi-disciplinary involvement and multi-skilling. Performance appraisals are also done twice a year, and there is the option of attending doctors ward rounds and multi-disciplinary discussions/presentations.
The department benefits from an NPO called the Manguzi Skills Development Initiative. This NPO provides funding up to R10 000 per therapist/assistant to attend courses identified in their personal development plan (part of the Performance Management System). There are, of course, restrictions on funding, namely:
1. If you are doing your community service you have the option of
attending professional short courses offered by accredited providers
within the first half of the year. This is so that the hospital benefits
from the skills you gain in these courses over at least 6 months of your
years' contract.
2. Permanent staff can attend throughout the year, as long as they intend to
stay an additional 6 months after course completion. Should you hand
in resignation short of your 6 month period, then a part of the course fee
will be forfeited.
3. Payment is in retrospect, according to conditions being fullfilled by
the recipient, namely:
- a short report is collated
- receipts and certificates are attached
- in -service training of staff in your department is completed upon returning
from your course
- a copy of your course material is left with the department as a resource
(the obligation is with you to ensure that presenters are happy with a copy
being made)
4. Application for study leave is done through the normal hospital channels
in advance.
Current funding concentrates on strengthening Mental Health Care and Neuro Rehab within the hospital catchment area and district. Currently, we have rehabilitation staff trained at Intermediate and Basic WHO-accredited seating level, NDT qualifications, Basic Bobath, Play Therapy, Introductory course to the management of CP in a rural area (community service staff, junior staff and assistants). Improving the MDT management of Spinal Cord Injury patients and the management of dysphagia has also been funded by MSDI and continues to be developed. Our latest exciting development is a partnership between (private practice) Summit Rehab and Manguzi, whereby 2 nursing staff, a rehabilitation technician and a therapist (PT or OT) from Manguzi are supported in attending a one week practical learning and job-shadowing experience at Summit Rehab, in order to upskill and benchmark. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with staff coming back enthusiastic and with new ideas! Watch this space!
Masters programs:
Two staff are enrolled in Masters programs, whose topics include Mental Health: reasons for defaulting in a low resource setting and the Management of Chronic Pain through Peer Support groups in HIV males 18-49 years.
Recent graduates:
Zenia jeggo, our resident Speech therapist, has recently graduated with her masters in Speech Language Pathology; her thesis entitled 'The development of a Language Acquisition screening tool for isiZulu speaking children.' Yvonne Mngomezulu and Precious Selema (OTTs) recently graduated with their first level in Play Therapy.
