posted on January 1, 2026
aXcess: Providing Physical Therapy and Rehab to Patients in Rural West Africa
We are looking for a physical or occupational therapist to join our small hospital that serves surrounding rural communities. The PT/OT will work alongside international workers and national staff to care for patients at the hospital, as well as make home visits in rural villages as part of our broader community health and church planting efforts. Training nursing staff will also be a major part of this role. We have unique opportunities to care for the overlooked, the disabled, and the suffering as a team. Our medical work is woven into our church planting efforts in this least reached area.
Position Type
- International worker (IW)–aXcess –Vocational Track
- Creative-access country (CAC)
- Single or couple
- Church planting, discipleship, evangelism, leadership development, medical
Responsibilities:
- Mentor and train national nursing staff
- Provide hands-on care in a clinical setting
- Participate in community health initiatives
- Visit patients at their homes in rural villages
Ministry Location Information:
This location is 3.5 hours from the capital city in a semi-arid zone. The team lives in a town that is small but has the basic necessities. Our ministry involves a lot of travel to rural areas. The region is predominately populated by an ethnic group that is less than 0.2 percent Christian. We partner with a handful of local believers, especially at the local Christian hospital.
Characteristics of International Workers:
- Spiritual maturity
- Holistic health
- Confirmation of call
- Ministry experience
- Education and work experience
- Cross-cultural awareness
Required Qualifications:
Vocational Track
- Completion of Alliance Polity course
- Completion of the World Perspectives Mission Course (minimum of certificate level) or equivalent
- Minimum of two years of ministry experience
- Minimum of two years of relevant work experience
- A recognized bachelor’s degree
- A minimum Modern Language Aptitude Test (MLAT) score of 55
- Licensed as a physical therapist or occupational therapist (Note: The team is willing to consider physical therapist assistants with experience)
- Experience in mentoring other health-care professionals in clinical settings
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working with people with physical disabilities
- Experience or training in community health
Language Expectations:
Language is an essential part of ministry. Those who do not know the language will attend a language study program. The goal will be to speak, read, and write the language at a functional level in order to mentor, teach, and train others.
Two languages are required for effective ministry. French language study will be done in France in a formal language school. Learning the language of our target ethnic group will involve working with local teachers and tutors using a manual designed to help IWs learn the language.
Health Considerations:
The ministry location has high temperatures year-round (80–115°F) and occasional dust storms. There are high levels of air pollution at times, which can affect those with respiratory issues. High-quality health-care institutions are present in the capital.
Expectations for Spouse:
Spousal roles vary based on the spouse’s gifts, training, and abilities as well as the needs of the team. It is expected that both spouses will be meaningfully involved in meeting ministry objectives depending on the nature of family roles, children, etc.
Children’s Education:
Current teammates are homeschooling elementary-age students, but we are actively searching for a teacher to help us. An excellent Christian boarding school exists in the capital for high-school-age students that might prefer that environment.
Compensation Package
The successful applicant(s) will receive a full compensation package with the expectation that, once appointed, efforts will be made to raise a portion of support costs through the applicant’s network of friends, family, local church, or other resources. Information on support costs will be made available upon application. Training and/or coaching in fundraising is available.
Whole-Life Health
As part of an evangelical denomination, we are committed to biblical holism, which is modeled and reflected through our work. Due to this commitment, part of the required qualifications includes optimal emotional, spiritual, and physical health. These will be assessed during the application process.
Important Clarification
Applicant(s) should be aware that serving in the international world often requires a higher degree of grace and flexibility. For example, overseas teams can be suddenly and unexpectedly impacted by illness, government decisions, financial realities, team changes, or other factors beyond the team’s control. The challenge for applicants is that these factors can sometimes necessitate the sudden redefining of a position, which may take place before, during, or after the application/interview process has begun or is completed.
Questions?
Please email the IPO office at [email protected].