Occupational Health Physiotherapist

PURPOSE OF ROLE

The Occupational Health Physiotherapist is responsible for providing high-quality physiotherapy, occupational rehabilitation, injury prevention, and functional restoration services to employees. 

The role focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention of musculoskeletal and functional impairments/ disability arising from occupational and non-occupational conditions. The incumbent will support evidence-based return -to-work pathways through Functional Capacity Assessments (FCAs), individualized rehabilitation plans, workplace conditioning & hardening programs, ergonomic interventions, and injury & disease prevention initiatives.

The Occupational Health Physiotherapist will work closely with the Primary care Physiotherapist & offsite OHPT and work rehab team to ensure continuity of physiotherapy and rehabilitation care across the employee population. While the Occupational Health Physiotherapists maintain responsibility for occupational rehabilitation, functional work capacity assessments, work conditioning, and return-to-work outcomes, the Primary Care Physiotherapist may provide specialized physiotherapy interventions, advanced rehabilitation equipment access, and treatment services not available onsite. All roles shall operate within a coordinated rehabilitation framework to optimize employee recovery and work participation outcomes. 

Working collaboratively with Occupational Health Doctors, the FQM Fitness & Rehabilitation Coordinator, Specialist Work rehabilitation support and Specialist Fitness, Gym & Wellness, offsite OHPT and Primary care Physiotherapist, the Occupational Health Physiotherapist plays a key role in promoting workforce health, reducing disability, improving work readiness, and optimizing rehabilitation & fitness outcomes.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Clinical Physiotherapy Services

• Manage and coordinate physiotherapy services for employees to a standard of professional excellence.
• Assess, diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate employees presenting with musculoskeletal, neurological, orthopaedic, occupational, and functional conditions.
• Develop and implement evidence-based physiotherapy treatment plans.
• Deliver physiotherapy interventions including Manual therapy, Exercise therapy, Electrotherapy, Soft tissue mobilization & therapeutic massage, Ultrasound therapy, Hydrotherapy, Functional rehabilitation. 

Occupational Rehabilitation and Return-to-Work Services

• Coordinate rehabilitation activities and progress reviews with the Primary Physiotherapist for employees receiving offsite or specialized physiotherapy services.
• Integrate specialist physiotherapy recommendations into occupational rehabilitation and return-to-work planning.
• Maintain oversight of occupational rehabilitation outcomes and work-readiness progression for employees receiving treatment through MBHS physiotherapy services.
• Ensure continuity of care during employee transitions between onsite occupational health rehabilitation services and offsite physiotherapy treatment pathways.
• Collaborate with the FQM Fitness & Rehabilitation Coordinator & Specialist Work Rehabilitation Support to develop and implement effective occupational rehabilitation programs.
• Conduct Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) and Functional job Assessments (FJA).
• Prepare objective and evidence-based reports for Occupational Health Doctors.
• Assist in determining fitness for duty, physical work capabilities, and work restrictions.
• Support graduated return-to-work and work conditioning & hardening programs.
• Participate in employee rehabilitation reviews and multidisciplinary case management discussions.
• Monitor rehabilitation progress and recommend adjustments to rehabilitation plans as required.

Injury Prevention and Employee Wellness

In collaboration with FQM Fitness & rehabilitation Coordinator & Specialist Work rehabilitation Support, develop and implement musculoskeletal injury prevention programs. 

Support design and implementation of employee fitness, conditioning & hardening programs.

Conduct workplace ergonomic assessments and provide recommendations to reduce injury risk.

Deliver educational sessions on, injury prevention, safe manual handling, stretching programs, workplace ergonomics, physical fitness and musculoskeletal health.

Service Coordination

Collaborate effectively with the Primary care Physiotherapist & offsite OH PT to ensure seamless coordination of physiotherapy and rehabilitation services for employees.

Facilitate referrals to the Primary Physiotherapist for specialized interventions, electrotherapy modalities, advanced rehabilitation equipment, and treatment services not available onsite.

Participate in multidisciplinary rehabilitation case conferences involving Occupational Health Physicians, Physiotherapy personnel, and the FQM Fitness & Rehabilitation Coordinator.

Ensure timely communication regarding treatment progress, functional outcomes, rehabilitation goals, and return-to-work recommendations.

Escalate complex rehabilitation cases requiring multidisciplinary intervention to the Occupational Health Physician and FQM Fitness & Rehabilitation Coordinator.

Ensure continuity of care and implementation of specialist treatment recommendations.

Maintain strong communication with Occupational Health Doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Attend clinical meetings, rehabilitation reviews, and workplace health initiatives.

Identify service gaps and recommend improvement opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

The Occupational Health Physiotherapist shall collaborate closely with the Primary care Physiotherapist, Offsite Occupational Health Physiotherapist and Physiotherapy Technologists, Occupational Health Doctors and the FQM Fitness & Rehabilitation Coordinator to provide an integrated rehabilitation service model that supports employee recovery, functional restoration, fitness for work, and safe return-to-work outcomes.

Clinical Practice

• Conduct comprehensive physical and functional assessments.
• Evaluate patients' movement, mobility, strength, endurance, and ability to perform occupational tasks.
• Design individualized treatment and rehabilitation programs.
• Provide patient education regarding exercise programs and injury management.
• Monitor patient progress and maintain treatment effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate patient records and treatment documentation.

Functional Capacity Assessment

• Conduct standardized Functional Capacity Assessments.
• Assess physical work capabilities including; lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling, mobility, balance, endurance, dexterity and positional tolerances.
• Provide detailed reports to Occupational Health Doctors and the FQM Fitness & Rehabilitation Coordinator.

Rehabilitation Program Development

• Design workplace-focused rehabilitation programs.
• Support work hardening and work conditioning interventions.
• Participate in return-to-work planning and reviews.

Supervision

• Supervise and support the Work Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Technologist.
• Guide junior rehabilitation personnel in clinical and occupational rehabilitation practices.
• Support continuous professional development within the physiotherapy team.

Equipment and Facility Management

• Conduct daily startup and shutdown procedures for physiotherapy equipment.
• Ensure regular inspection, maintenance, and calibration of equipment.
• Maintain treatment rooms and rehabilitation facilities to required standards.
• Coordinate procurement of physiotherapy equipment, consumables, and supplies.
• Monitor stock levels and ensure FIFO inventory management practices.

Quality, Safety and Compliance

Ensure compliance with FQM & MBHS policies, procedures, and service standards.

Always maintain patient confidentiality.

Participate in quality improvement initiatives and audits.

Conduct risk assessments of clinical environments and work practices.

Adhere to infection prevention and control standards.

Ensure compliance with all legal, professional, and regulatory requirements.

Utilize PPE appropriately and ensure safe clinical practice.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree in Physiotherapy.
• Current registration with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ).
• Valid Practicing License.
• Current registration with Zambia Society of Physiotherapy. 

Experience Requirements

• Minimum two (2) years post-qualification physiotherapy experience.
• Experience in occupational health, mining or heavy industry will be an advantage. 
• Employee wellness and fitness program implementation experience.
• Return-to-Work program management exposure.

Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Occupational Rehabilitation
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Musculoskeletal Assessment