Playing the piano: Passionate about playing both classical and contemporary songs as well as composing a few of my own, Baking: I enjoy exploring and experimenting with new recipes and perfecting my skills in the kitchen, Nature Lover: I am particularly fond of spending time outdoors, especially near water, which always helps me to unwind, and lastly, playing and watching football
Darryan Kallis
Occupational Therapist
Cape Town
Summary
Motivated and compassionate Community Service Occupational Therapist with broad clinical experience across physical, mental health, and paediatric settings. Proven ability to co-manage departmental responsibilities in a district hospital, deliver holistic, client-centred care, and contribute meaningfully to interdisciplinary teams and health promotion initiatives. Particularly passionate about working with children and in physical health, with a keen interest in further developing clinical expertise in these areas. Committed to continuous learning and professional growth, with a strong desire to expand scope of practice and contribute positively to both patient care and the greater community.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
5
5
Languages
Work History
Community Service Occupational Therapist
Gauteng Department Of Health
01.2025 - Current
- Co-managed the Occupational Therapy Department alongside a fellow community service therapist at a district-level hospital.
- Assessed patients across the lifespan and developed individualised, evidence-based treatment plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
- Facilitated individual and group therapy sessions targeting physical, mental, and developmental health outcomes.
- Participated in interdisciplinary clinics, including a neurodevelopmental clinic, contributing OT expertise to holistic patient care.
- Actively engaged in health promotion campaigns, including a neonatal high-risk clinic, to support early intervention and caregiver education.
- Delivered awareness talks and facilitated community outreach activities to advocate for mental health, disability rights, and occupational justice.
- Coordinated and hosted employee wellness days, promoting mental well-being, and workplace health for hospital employees.
- Oversaw departmental administration, including compiling monthly and annual statistics for service evaluation and reporting.
Reviewing and maintaining clinical protocols and policy documents.
Managing inventory and procurement of OT equipment and consumables.
Advocating for the role and expansion of OT services within the hospital setting. - Worked with diverse populations across multiple OT domains, including:
Physical health: amputations, spinal cord injuries, strokes, hand injuries, fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and burns.
Mental health: bipolar mood disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, substance-induced psychotic disorder, and anxiety disorders.
Paediatrics: global developmental delay, learning disabilities, ADHD, ASD, epilepsy, sensory processing disorders, Down syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, severe acute malnutrition, and burns.
Addressed social determinants of health, including abuse, neglect, and other psychosocial challenges impacting occupational performance. - Demonstrated strong communication, leadership, and organisational skills in the effective management of departmental operations and patient care.
4th Year Block 3
Neighbourhood Old Aged Homes (NOAH)- Woodstock
09.2024 - 10.2024
- Company Overview: NOAH is a South African non-profit organization that supports elderly people with affordable housing, health services, and social programs. It is focused on promoting independence and dignity, NOAH operates 12 communal houses in Cape Town, offers medical care through clinics, and provides companionship through day centres. It also encourages elder participation in social enterprises, enabling income generation and creativity. NOAH helps build a sense of purpose and belonging for elders in the community.
- Engaged in Community Development Practice through the use of the ObCD in order to identify needs, empower the community and address power dynamics.
- Facilitated engagement in meaningful activities that promote health and well-being.
- Addressed barriers that prevent individuals, including vulnerable groups like the elderly, from fully contributing to or benefiting from their community.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to design programs that foster empowerment, independence, and inclusion within the community.
- Facilitated empowerment of community members to foster self-advocacy and ownership of health and well-being.
4th year Block 2
Christine Revell Children's Home
07.2024 - 08.2024
- Company Overview: Christine Revell Children's Home is an institution dedicated to caring for vulnerable children, including those who are orphaned, abandoned, or removed from their families due to neglect or abuse. The home houses a maximum of 49 children at a time from birth to 5 years old. The children at the home also attend creche which is provided by their pre-school teachers.
- Facilitated both group and individual therapy sessions with children ranging from 6 months to 4 years old.
- Compiled and facilitated a workshop on the stages of and importance of play with the carers and creche teachers.
- Maintained detailed records of children's behaviour, progress, and care to ensure comprehensive support.
- Implemented behaviour management strategies to address challenging behaviours in a supportive manner.
- Built trusting rapport with children and caregivers, displaying in-depth understanding of needs throughout patient care.
- Developed and implemented individual care plans tailored to each child's specific needs.
- Engaged with a multidisciplinary team to ensure an optimal level of care was provided.
4th year Elective placement
Et Al Therapy Centre
06.2024 - 07.2024
- Observed and facilitated selected therapy sessions for 3 weeks focusing mainly on sensory integration, reflex integration, neurodevelopmental as well as scholastic approaches.
- Clients seen included mainly paediatric ages 3 months to 8 years, as well as some adolescent sessions.
- Common diagnoses seen included ADHD, ASD, Dyspraxia, Sensory Processing Disorders, Developmental delays, Down Syndrome as well as other genetic conditions.
4th year Block 1
Health Care Fund- NBC The Foschini Group
04.2024 - 05.2024
- Environmental and ergonomic setup observations were conducted of the employees in the Prestige TFG manufacturing factory in Epping.
- Facilitated health promotive talks with the factory employees which included topics related to the assessment findings and needs of the employees. These topics included an introduction to what OT is, stress management, pain management and stretches, as well as where when and how to access healthcare services.
- Engaged with stakeholders about the prospects of designing an ergonomic cushion for the factory employees. This included sourcing suppliers, negotiating quotes and engaging with the head of manufacturing operations at TFG Epping.
3rd year Block 4
Lentegeur Hospital- Male Admissions
09.2023 - 10.2023
- This site placement included running groups in 2 acute male admissions wards, as well as a group in a medium-term ward. Common diagnosis seen included schizophrenia, substance induced psychotic disorder (SIPD), substance use disorder, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar mood disorder as well as psychosis as a result of TBI's and neuropsyphilis.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions focused on social skills, substance use and medication adherence.
- Contributed to team meetings with feedback and suggestions for care improvement.
- Maintained detailed records of therapy sessions, progress and mental state examinations.
3rd year Block 3
Highlands House- Long-term Care facility
08.2023 - 09.2023
- Helped patients work towards mutually agreed goals through individualised support and treatment programmes.
- Delivered hands-on therapy, including manual joint mobilisation and therapeutic exercises, to improve mobility and reduce pain.
- Conducted chair exercise sessions for residents bi-weekly.
- Manufactured a custom functional soft splint for a stroke patient with Intellectual Disability.
- Implemented energy conservation methods and delivered back protection principles for residents experiencing persistent back issues.
- Performed resident assessments and provided interventions for arthritis-related issues.
3rd year Block 2
Valkenberg Hospital- Acute Male Admissions
04.2023 - 05.2023
- Facilitated therapeutic interventions in individual and group settings.
- Helped patients work towards mutually agreed goals through individualised support and treatment programmes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimise patient outcomes and ensure holistic care.
- Consulted with patients to assess conditions, obtain histories and discuss objectives.
- Contributed to team meetings with insightful feedback and suggestions for care improvement.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions focused on social skills development, life skills development, physchoeducation and community reintegration.
3rd Year Block 1
Red Cross Children's Memorial Hospital- Burns Ward
02.2023 - 03.2023
- Maintained detailed patient records, documenting therapy sessions, progress, and modifications to treatment plans.
- Shared preventive information with patients to help reduce incidents of injuries.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of patients' functional capabilities and created personalised rehabilitation plans.
- Contributed to team meetings with insightful feedback and suggestions for care improvement.
- Adapted practice to meet individual patients' circumstances, including due regard for social, cultural and linguistic differences.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimise patient outcomes and ensure holistic care.
- Participated in outpatient clinics focusing on assessment and scar management.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa12-2024
Panel on Research Ethics - undefined
01.2023
NQF Level 4: Matric -
Parel Vallei Highschool
12-2020
Skills
Client-centred assessment and treatment planning
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Effective communication
Empathetic and culturally sensitive care
Public speaking and awareness facilitation
Time management and work prioritisation
Strong problem solving and critical thinking
Initiative and self-management
Adaptability in resource-limited settings
Competent in Microsoft Office Suite
Courses and workshops (2025)
- Developmental Delay workshop (Hosted by the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Cluster)
- Basic Management of a Patient with a Spinal Cord Injury workshop (Hosted by the Gauteng province Spinal Cord Injury Work group)
- Management of hands therapy and various conditions through the use of theraband and strapping (Hosted by the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Occupational Therapy oral health and therapeutic services cluster)
- Early Childhood Intervention Introductory workshop (Hosted by the Gauteng province ECI Work Group)
- Introduction to Wheelchairs as a tool for inclusion (Hosted by Shonaequip social enterprise)
Driving license
Code B
Interests
References
Adele, Ebrahim, Dr, adele.ebrahim@uct.ac.za
Helene Agenbach, Helene.Agenbach@gauteng.gov.za
Timeline
Community Service Occupational Therapist
Gauteng Department Of Health
01.2025 - Current
4th Year Block 3
Neighbourhood Old Aged Homes (NOAH)- Woodstock
09.2024 - 10.2024
4th year Block 2
Christine Revell Children's Home
07.2024 - 08.2024
4th year Elective placement
Et Al Therapy Centre
06.2024 - 07.2024
4th year Block 1
Health Care Fund- NBC The Foschini Group
04.2024 - 05.2024
3rd year Block 4
Lentegeur Hospital- Male Admissions
09.2023 - 10.2023
3rd year Block 3
Highlands House- Long-term Care facility
08.2023 - 09.2023
3rd year Block 2
Valkenberg Hospital- Acute Male Admissions
04.2023 - 05.2023
3rd Year Block 1
Red Cross Children's Memorial Hospital- Burns Ward
02.2023 - 03.2023
Panel on Research Ethics - undefined
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
University of Cape Town
NQF Level 4: Matric -
Parel Vallei Highschool
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