Yusra Kadir

I am a dedicated and compassionate community service occupational therapist with a strong foundation in client-centred care, assessment and therapeutic intervention. I have developed strong clinical communication, clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills through hands-on experience across diverse settings, including psychiatry and physical rehabilitation. I am passionate about promoting independence, meaningful participation and quality of life, and thrive in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments.

I am eager to bring my knowledge, adaptability and enthusiasm to a dynamic healthcare team while continuing to grow as a confident and well-rounded occupational therapist.

Community Service Experience - Occupational Therapist at Grey's Hospital (2026-01 – Present)

Rotational experience across orthopaedics, paediatrics, surgical, neurological, plastics, and burns services, across inpatient and outpatient settings. Exposed to multiple clinical conditions including stroke, TBI, spinal cord injuries, hand and upper/lower-limb injuries, burns, and paediatric conditions.

• Conducted OT assessments and individualised interventions addressing physical, cognitive and functional needs.
• Provided ADL retraining, functional rehabilitation, patient/caregiver education and individual and group therapy.
• Participated in ward rounds and multidisciplinary case discussions, collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
• Consulted with medical and multidisciplinary teams regarding patient management, rehabilitation goals and discharge planning.
• Completed SOAP notes, statistics, reports, referrals and other clinical documentation.
• Fabricated and applied splints, and sewed and fitted pressure garments as per patients needs.
• Coordinated wheelchair loans and equipment referrals, including liaising with base hospitals and external services regarding equipment availability and continuity of care.
• Developed home programmes and provided caregiver education to support ongoing rehabilitation following discharge.
• Planned and facilitated awareness campaigns and health-promotion initiatives - Burns Awareness Week, Autism Awareness, Down Syndrome Awareness and Mandela Day.
• Contributed to departmental initiatives, and therapeutic group programmes promoting health, rehabilitation and occupational participation.

Outreach Programme - Occupational Therapist at Sunnyside Park Home (2026-06 – 2026-11)

Geriatrics exposure through community-based outreach programme delivering occupational therapy services to residential care facility.

• Provide weekly OT group sessions addressing residents' physical, cognitive, psychosocial and social participation needs.
• Plan and facilitate therapeutic, recreational and leisure activities adapted to residents' varying functional and cognitive abilities.
• Collaborate with physiotherapy to deliver joint rehabilitation, wellness and functional sessions.
• Address meaningful occupation, social participation, cognitive stimulation, mobility, physical activity and emotional wellbeing through group-based intervention.
• Adapt activities for residents with varying mobility, cognitive, communication and functional abilities, including wheelchair users and residents requiring increased assistance.
• Promote caregiver participation and engagement during therapeutic and recreational activities.
• Support staff and caregivers through wellness-focused activities and strategies addressing occupational balance and burnout.
• Contribute to ongoing community-based rehabilitation and needs-responsive programming within the residential setting.

Clinical Block Experience - Physical & Psychiatry at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (2023-01 – 2024-12)

Gained experience in physical rehabilitation and psychiatric OT, applying assessment and intervention approaches across diverse clinical presentations.

Clinical Block Experience - Paediatrics at YMCA School (2023-01 – 2024-12)

Developed paediatric OT experience through supporting children's participation, functional development and school-based occupational performance.

Clinical Block Experience - Physical Rehabilitation at Steve Biko Academic Hospital (2025-01 – 2025-12)

Gained hands-on experience in physical rehabilitation, focusing on functional assessment, treatment planning and facilitating independence.

Clinical Block Experience - Psychosocial & Forensics at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital (2025-01 – 2025-12)

Gained experience across forensic, acute and chronic psychiatric settings, addressing psychosocial functioning, occupational participation and reintegration.

Clinical Block Experience - Paediatrics at Kgbalatsane Primary School (2025-01 – 2025-12)

Developed experience in school-based paediatrics, addressing developmental, functional and educational needs to support classroom participation.

Clinical Block Experience - Community OT at Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa Centre (2025-01 – 2025-12)

Gained community-based OT and geriatrics experience through conducting a needs-focused project aimed at promoting participation, wellbeing and community engagement.

Volunteer at Abu Bakr Siddiq (2020-01 – 2021-12)

• Monthly feeding scheme
• Monthly grocery hamper hand-out
• Weekly feeding scheme & party pack handouts for children

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) in Occupational Therapy – Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (SMU) (2022-01 – 2025-12)

National Senior Certificate – Maritzburg Muslim School for Girls (MMSG) (2016-01 – 2020-12)