Mienke Du Plessis
Johannesburg,South Africa
Summary
Physiotherapy professional with international experience and advanced training in cardiorespiratory and neurological rehabilitation, including Bobath techniques. Expertise in delivering comprehensive rehabilitation services and conducting postural assessments. Strong commitment to education and mentorship, coupled with effective problem-solving skills to enhance patient outcomes.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Rehabilitation Clinical Specialist
Life Healthcare
Johannesburg, South Africa
2024.12 - Current
- Assisted in improving clinical quality and assurance.
- Mentored physiotherapy students in practical skills.
- Coordinated therapy delivery within rehabilitation service.
- Supported staff in developing clinical skills.
- Assessed and treated patients in post-acute rehabilitation.
- Facilitated individual goal setting and implementation of treatments.
- Organised in-house CPD activities for staff development.
- Oversaw rehabilitation team during absence of clinical coordinator.
- Facilitated reports for patients.
- Connected with universities to promote the facility.
Physiotherapist
Amana Healthcare Medical and Rehabilitation Hospital
Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
2020.11 - 2024.10
- Spearheaded patient assessments and treatments in an 80-bed rehabilitation hospital, focusing on post-acute and long-term care, with tailored SMART goal-oriented therapy plans.
- Assumed the role of Acting Team Leader, managing team operations during the leader's absence.
- Contributed to the in-service training programme through article reviews, clinical reasoning sessions, and hands-on practical training.
- Mentored physiotherapy students, providing guidance, and overseeing their clinical development.
- Created and implemented a comprehensive therapy portfolio, enhancing staff proficiency in safe moving, handling, and 24-hour postural management.
- Served as a preceptor for new physiotherapy staff, ensuring seamless integration into clinical practice.
- Acknowledged as the recipient of the AHSANT award in 2022 and nominated again in 2024 for exemplifying the Amana values of service, authenticity, nurturing and teamwork.
- Actively engaged in the Education portfolio and assisting in hydrotherapy courses across multiple facilities.
- Instrumental in achieving JCI and CARF international rehabilitation accreditations for the facility, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in care standards.
- Part of the auditing team for KPIs to ensure improvement in the quality of care.
- I served as the lead investigator in a research study, and the abstract was submitted to the World Stroke Congress, titled 'Profiling of Post-Stroke Residents in a Long-Term Rehabilitation Centre Receiving Physiotherapy in Abu Dhabi.'
Senior Physiotherapist
Jenny Bowles Physiotherapy
2020.05 - 2020.10
- Expertly evaluated and rehabilitated COVID-19 patients in Intensive Care Units, enhancing recovery outcomes.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments and treatments for home-based physiotherapy patients, incorporating family education for sustained care.
- Employed evidence-based clinical reasoning for accurate diagnosis and creation of tailored treatment plans for COVID-19 patients.
- Actively participated in on-call and weekend services, providing continuous patient care within the hospital setting.
- Facilitated interdisciplinary referrals to ensure comprehensive patient care and promote full functional recovery.
Senior Physiotherapist
Claire Kourie Physiotherapy
Johannesburg, South Africa
2019.07 - 2020.03
- Overseeing Junior Physiotherapist.
- Assessment and management of musculoskeletal, neurological, geriatric, paediatric, sport, respiratory and occupational injuries.
- The evaluation and rehabilitation of hospital intensive care (Medical ICU) orthopaedic, medical, surgical, paediatric and neurologic patients.
- The assessment, treatment and family education of home-based physiotherapy patients.
- Primary responsibilities were the assessment and treatment of patients using appropriate clinical reasoning enabling evidence-based diagnosis and formation of appropriate individualised treatment plans.
- Throughout my rotations I contributed to the on call and weekend working service predominantly in hospital and respiratory outpatients.
- Interdisciplinary referrals to promote optimal patient care and return to previous level of function.
- Active participation and contribution to the in-service training programme which included article reviews, clinical reasoning and practical training.
Senior Physiotherapist
Jenny Bowles Physiotherapy
2016.01 - 2019.07
- Specialized in the evaluation and rehabilitation of patients in Intensive Care, Orthopaedics, Surgery, and Neurology.
- Expertise in home-based physiotherapy, encompassing patient assessment, treatment, and family education.
- Demonstrated excellence in patient care through evidence-based diagnosis and the creation of tailored treatment plans.
- Committed to providing extended services, including on-call and weekend shifts, primarily within the hospital setting.
- Fostered interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance patient outcomes and facilitate return to prior functional levels.
Intern Physiotherapist
Ruan Mocke and Marieke Kirchner Physiotherapy
2015.01 - 2015.12
- Assessment and management of musculoskeletal, neurological, geriatric, paediatric, sport, respiratory and occupational injuries.
- The evaluation and rehabilitation of hospital intensive care, orthopaedic, medical, surgical, paediatric and neurologic patients.
- The assessment, treatment and family education of home-based physiotherapy patients.
- Primary responsibilities were the assessment and treatment of patients using appropriate clinical reasoning enabling evidence-based diagnosis and formation of appropriate individualised treatment plans.
- Throughout my rotations I contributed to the on call and weekend working service predominantly in hospital and respiratory outpatients.
- Interdisciplinary referrals to promote optimal patient care and return to previous level of function.
- Active participation and contribution to the in-service training programme which included article reviews, clinical reasoning and practical training.
- Additional provision of physiotherapy at sport and school events.
Community Service Physiotherapist
Kimberley Hospital Complex
2014.01 - 2014.12
- In-patient evaluation and management in acute Orthopaedic Surgery (trauma and elective), Intensive Care Unit (neonatal, paediatric and adult), Burns, Oncology, Renal, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Paediatrics, Surgical, Medical, Maternity, Obstetrics and Gynaecology patients.
- Assessment and management of musculoskeletal, neurological, geriatric, paediatric, sport, respiratory and occupational injuries in an out-patient setting.
- Throughout my rotations I contributed to the on call and weekend working service in hospital patients.
- Receiving from and the referral patients to interdisciplinary team to promote comprehensive patient care and rehabilitation.
- Additional activities included the promotion and education of school students in the role of physiotherapy in the health care setting.
- Continuous professional development which consists of presentations and skill development sessions.
Education
B. Sc - Physiotherapy
University of the Free State
South AfricaSkills
- Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy - Completed CPT training
- Rehabilitation services
- Neurological Rehabilitation - Advanced trained in BOBATH
- Postural Assessment
- Communication
- Education
- Mentorship
- Problem-solving
Languages
English
Afrikaans
Personal Information
- Date of birth: 1991-03-08
- Nationality: SA Citizen
- Driving Licence: Code 08
- Marital status: Single
- Visa: DOH Abu Dhabi GT25374
Certification
Advance Bobath in Locomotion 2025
Advance Bobath in upper limb and reaching 2026
The BOBATH Concept 2023
Stroke Rehabilitation Course 2024
Neurological Rehabilitation 2022
Hydrotherapy Course 2022
Wheelchair introductory course 2023
Functional Lymphatic Drainage 2022
BLS 2024
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Rehabilitation Clinical Specialist
Life Healthcare
2024.12 - Current
Physiotherapist
Amana Healthcare Medical and Rehabilitation Hospital
2020.11 - 2024.10
Senior Physiotherapist
Jenny Bowles Physiotherapy
2020.05 - 2020.10
Senior Physiotherapist
Claire Kourie Physiotherapy
2019.07 - 2020.03
Senior Physiotherapist
Jenny Bowles Physiotherapy
2016.01 - 2019.07
Intern Physiotherapist
Ruan Mocke and Marieke Kirchner Physiotherapy
2015.01 - 2015.12
Community Service Physiotherapist
Kimberley Hospital Complex
2014.01 - 2014.12
B. Sc - Physiotherapy
University of the Free State