Chantelle Bester
Johannesburg
Summary
Dedicated Occupational Therapist with experience in paediatric rehabilitation, neurodevelopmental assessment, neonatal follow-up, and multidisciplinary care within the South African public healthcare sector. Skilled in evidence-based intervention, caregiver education, hand therapy, wheelchair service provision, and quality improvement. Passionate about early paediatric intervention and the application of sensory integration principles, delivering holistic, family-centred care that promotes participation, functional independence, and developmental outcomes.
Overview
2
2
Languages
1
1
year of professional experience
Work History
Occupational Therapist — Community Service
Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital
Johannesburg, Gauteng
01.2026 - Current
- Conduct occupational therapy assessments and implement individualised, evidence-informed intervention programmes for paediatric inpatients and outpatients.
- Manage a diverse paediatric caseload involving neurodevelopmental, neurological, genetic, orthopaedic, neonatal, surgical and hand-related conditions.
- Provide occupational therapy services to critically ill neonates and children admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
- Assessed and treated children with a range of conditions, including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and developmental delays, implementing tailored therapeutic interventions to enhance functional outcomes.
- Conducted developmental screenings and assessments in multidisciplinary clinics, collaborating with specialists to provide comprehensive care and support for diverse paediatric needs.
- Provide caregiver education, individualised home programmes, positioning guidance and discharge planning to support continuity of care.
- Collaborate with paediatricians, paediatric neurologists, physiotherapists, speech-language therapists, audiologists, dietitians, nurses, social workers and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Render comprehensive occupational therapy services in accordance with National and Gauteng Department of Health policies, standards and clinical guidelines.
- Maintain accurate clinical documentation, treatment plans, progress notes and statistical records.
- Participate in departmental quality assurance and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Contribute to the ordering and management of occupational therapy equipment and consumables.
- Assist with departmental budget planning and demand-plan submissions.
- Conduct stock control, stock-taking, and maintenance of departmental asset registers.
- Compiled service statistics to provide departmental performance data.
- Participated in medico-legal and litigation-related meetings.
- Assist with the orientation and supervision of Grade 12 learners participating in job-shadowing programmes.
- Organised and participated in hospital awareness campaigns and health-promotion activities to educate the community and raise funds for paediatric services.
- Contribute to initiatives associated with Autism Awareness Month and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
- Contribute to initiatives associated with Autism Awareness Month and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Education
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy -
University of Pretoria
South Africa01-2025
National Senior Certificate -
Hoërskool Randburg
South Africa01-2015
Skills
- Paediatric occupational therapy
- Neurodevelopmental assessment and intervention
- Early childhood intervention
- Developmental screening
- Neonatal care and high-risk infant follow-up
- Sensory integration-informed intervention
- Autism Spectrum Disorder assessment and intervention
- Hand therapy and basic splinting
- Wheelchair and Buggy assessment and prescribing
- Activities of Daily Living assessment and retraining
- Assistive device assessment and prescription
- Caregiver education and home programme development
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Clinical documentation
- Report writing and treatment planning
- Public healthcare service delivery
- Quality improvement and clinical administration
- Paediatric upper-limb therapy
- Caregiver education and coaching
- Home programme development
- Clinical report writing
- Outlook
- Budget and demand-plan preparation
- Stock management
- Awareness campaigns
- Disability awareness
Languages
English
Proficient
C2
Afrikaans
Proficient
C2
References
- Mrs Sibongile Bandla, Assistant Director: Rehabilitation Services, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, +27 (0)11 470 9076, rahimamoosahospital@gmail.com
- Mrs Itumeleng Matheba, Grade 2 Physiotherapist, Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, +27 (0)11 470 9075, rahimamoosahospital@gmail.com
- Professor Karin van Niekerk, Senior Lecturer, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Pretoria, +27 (0)12 356 3224, karin.vanniekerk@up.ac.za
Timeline
Occupational Therapist — Community Service
Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital
01.2026 - Current
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy -
University of Pretoria
National Senior Certificate -
Hoërskool Randburg