Special Needs Occupational Therapist – Abu Dhabi

Healthcare facility in Abu Dhabi is seeking a qualified and experienced Special Needs Occupational Therapist to provide comprehensive occupational therapy assessment, intervention, rehabilitation, and follow-up services for patients with a range of developmental, physical, psychological, behavioral, and complex care needs.

The role involves working independently or under the clinical supervision of senior occupational therapists, depending on the complexity of the case. The successful candidate will provide individualized, patient-centered and occupation-focused therapy programs while maintaining high standards of clinical practice, patient safety, confidentiality, infection control, documentation, and quality improvement.

The Occupational Therapist will work closely with patients, families, caregivers, physicians, therapists, educators, and other healthcare professionals to develop integrated treatment and rehabilitation plans that support functional independence and quality of life.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy assessments of patients’ physical, psychological, social, developmental, functional, and occupational needs.
• Assess patients with diverse, complex, or multiple clinical presentations using appropriate investigative techniques, clinical reasoning, and professional judgment.
• Receive referrals, screen and prioritize patients, conduct assessments, identify therapy needs, develop intervention plans, implement treatment, evaluate outcomes, and modify therapy programs according to patient progress.
• Provide client-centered and occupation-focused occupational therapy assessments and interventions.
• Develop individualized occupational therapy and rehabilitation programs based on each patient’s functional abilities, clinical condition, developmental needs, goals, and occupational requirements.
• Provide specialized therapy interventions for patients with special needs and complex or changing rehabilitation requirements.
• Work under indirect clinical supervision where appropriate while maintaining responsibility for assigned patients and caseload.
• Evaluate patient progress regularly and modify treatment plans, goals, techniques, and interventions when clinically indicated.
• Establish appropriate short-term and long-term treatment goals in collaboration with patients, parents, caregivers, and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals.

• Involve patients and families in treatment planning and obtain valid informed consent before providing interventions.
• Apply appropriate procedures when working with patients who have difficulties with communication, comprehension, decision-making, or informed consent.
• Use verbal, non-verbal, visual, and other appropriate communication methods to communicate effectively with patients and their families or caregivers.
• Adapt communication and therapy approaches for patients who have developmental disabilities, communication difficulties, behavioral challenges, cognitive limitations, or other special needs.
• Provide education and guidance to parents, caregivers, and family members regarding home-based occupational therapy activities, functional development, safety, and ongoing patient support.
• Develop comprehensive discharge plans and coordinate with relevant healthcare professionals and caregivers to ensure continuity of care.
• Document assessments, treatment interventions, clinical observations, patient responses, progress, recommendations, and discharge information accurately and within required timeframes.
• Maintain complete and accurate clinical records, reports, statistics, and other occupational therapy documentation in accordance with professional and organizational requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality and strict privacy of patient information and clinical records.
• Provide home-based occupational therapy services when required, including services for Royal or VIP patients.
• Travel with patients within or outside the UAE when occupational therapy support is required.
• Provide bilingual interpretation or communication support when required and where the therapist has the appropriate language skills.
• Supervise and support junior occupational therapy staff when assigned, ensuring compliance with departmental policies, clinical procedures, and professional standards.
• Assist in the orientation, training, mentoring, and development of students, junior therapists, and other staff when required.
• Maintain sufficient supplies, therapy materials, assistive equipment, and other resources required for occupational therapy services.
• Monitor therapy equipment and ensure that equipment is properly maintained, safe, functional, and suitable for patient use.
• Report shortages, damaged equipment, or supply requirements promptly and arrange replenishment in accordance with facility procedures.
• Promote patient-centered care and contribute to the development of integrated systems of care across the organization.
• Work collaboratively with physicians, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, nurses, educators, behavioral specialists, and other healthcare professionals as appropriate.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and contribute relevant occupational therapy assessments, recommendations, and progress updates.
• Identify risks involving vulnerable patients and take appropriate action in accordance with safeguarding, clinical, and organizational policies.
• Maintain a high standard of patient safety throughout assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, home visits, and other clinical activities.
• Comply with occupational health and safety requirements, infection prevention and control procedures, emergency preparedness policies, and environmental safety standards.
• Apply appropriate infection control practices to minimize the risk of cross-infection during clinical and therapy activities.
• Maintain compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality assurance requirements, clinical guidelines, and departmental policies.
• Participate in clinical audits and support quality improvement initiatives within the occupational therapy service.
• Contribute to continuous quality improvement, service evaluation, and development of occupational therapy practices.
• Maintain current clinical and professional knowledge through continuing professional development, training, CME/CPD activities, and other relevant learning opportunities.
• Maintain all professional licensing, certification, mandatory training, and regulatory requirements within the required timeframes.
• Practice within the scope of professional qualifications, licensing requirements, organizational policies, and established clinical procedures.
• Recognize the need for continuous professional development and acquire additional clinical knowledge and skills relevant to special needs occupational therapy.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships with patients, families, caregivers, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals.
• Promote a customer-focused approach and act as a professional representative and brand ambassador for the healthcare facility.
• Support the training, mentoring, and development of UAE national employees where required.
• Follow facility policies and procedures and ensure alignment with applicable healthcare facility standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain appropriate professional appearance and comply with workplace dress requirements.
• Understand and follow emergency preparedness plans, procedures, and responsibilities.
• Perform other duties consistent with the employee’s qualifications, professional experience, and scope of practice as assigned by management.

Special Needs Occupational Therapy

The successful candidate may work with patients requiring specialized support for developmental, neurological, physical, cognitive, sensory, behavioral, or functional difficulties.

The role may include:

• Functional and developmental assessments.
• Activities of daily living (ADL) training.
• Fine and gross motor skill development.
• Sensory and functional interventions.
• Cognitive and perceptual activities.
• Upper-limb and functional rehabilitation.
• Development of age-appropriate occupational goals.
• Assistive equipment and adaptive techniques.
• Parent and caregiver education.
• Home-based therapy programs.
• School and community participation support.
• Functional independence training.
• Patient and family-centered rehabilitation planning.
• Multidisciplinary coordination for complex cases.

Job Qualifications

• Female candidate.
• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited institution; or
• Graduate of an accredited Diploma course in Occupational Therapy with a minimum three-year syllabus.
• Current national occupational therapy license or membership with a recognized international professional agency, as applicable.
• Valid professional registration/licensing required to practice in the UAE.
• Clinical experience in occupational therapy, preferably involving children, individuals with special needs, rehabilitation, developmental conditions, or complex clinical presentations.
• Strong clinical assessment and treatment-planning skills.
• Ability to work independently while seeking appropriate clinical supervision for complex cases.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Strong documentation, clinical reasoning, and patient-management skills.

OT Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy or another relevant clinical field.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification may reduce the required years of professional experience according to organizational requirements.
• Experience in pediatric occupational therapy, special needs services, rehabilitation, developmental therapy, or multidisciplinary clinical settings.
• Experience working with patients requiring complex or individualized occupational therapy programs.
• Experience providing home-based occupational therapy services.
• Additional language skills are advantageous, particularly where bilingual communication is required.

Professional Skills

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Patient-centered clinical practice.
• Strong occupational therapy assessment skills.
• Clinical reasoning and decision-making.
• Treatment planning and evaluation.
• Special needs and developmental therapy knowledge.
• Effective patient and caregiver communication.
• Multidisciplinary teamwork.
• Accurate clinical documentation.
• Patient safety awareness.
• Infection prevention and control knowledge.
• Quality improvement awareness.
• Professional ethics and confidentiality.
• Time and caseload management.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.

• Job Type: Full-time
• Work Schedule: Shift-based
• Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Work setting: Healthcare/clinical facility
• Home-based occupational therapy may be required for selected patients.
• Travel within or outside the UAE may be required depending on patient requirements.
• The position may involve working with special-needs and vulnerable patient populations.

This position provides an opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to develop advanced clinical experience in special needs care, rehabilitation, patient-centered therapy, multidisciplinary healthcare, and complex case management. Continuing professional development, clinical training, mentoring, and participation in quality improvement activities can support long-term career progression in occupational therapy and specialized rehabilitation services.

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