Healthcare Assistant - Therapies

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust; Hereford; On-site; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Hereford is looking for a passionate Healthcare Assistant to support Occupational Therapists. The role involves engaging patients in therapy, facilitating effective communication, and running therapeutic activities. Ideal candidates will hold relevant care qualifications and have experience in a similar environment. Join a supportive team focused on mental health care and professional development.

Benefits

27 days leave plus bank holidays

Generous NHS pension

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people, preferably in a caring role.
• Previous experience in a therapy setting or working alongside therapists.

Responsibilities

• Engage patients with their Occupational Therapy intervention plan.
• Plan and run therapy groups such as art and exercise.
• Support discharge processes while liaising with community agencies.

Skills

Independent working

Responsibility

Team collaboration

Following rehabilitation programmes

Education

Level 3 qualification in Care or equivalent

Level 2 qualification in Care

Job description

Overview

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Healthcare Assistant - Therapies

The closing date is 13 November 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy (OT) Assistant to join the Older Adult Mental Health In Patient Therapies Team at the Stonebow Unit in Hereford.

The current post is to support the Occupational Therapists to provide a well established OT service to Cantilupe Ward which provide assessment and treatment for Older Adults who have a diagnosis of Dementia. There is a strong emphasis on wellbeing and sensory preferences for our patients and as an OTA you will lead on a lot of these interventions under supervision from OT.

We have a strong team of therapists including OT, Therapy Assistants, Physiotherapy and Psychology and there will be the opportunity for assisting the wider team when required.

Within the team, there is a strong emphasis on training, supervision and reflective practise with an expectation for clinical excellence. You will have a passion for working in mental health services, excellent communication and interaction skills and motivation to develop your knowledge and skills.

Please note the Trust will not routinely provide sponsorship to work for this role. In addition to meet Home Office salary threshold you must have the significant experience to be offered top of the pay band AND work a minimum of 35.5 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

This is a varied role which includes engaging patients with their Occupational Therapy (OT) intervention plan to support wellbeing and function. Under the direction of the ward OT, the therapy assistant will be competent in planning and running therapy groups such as art, reminiscence, sensory room engagement and exercise. They will support the OT to liaise with the community agencies, families and carers to gather information. Where appropriate, the therapy assistant will support the discharge process including accessing community facilities and facilitate some home visits for which a car and valid driving licence will be required. There is an expectation to independently take responsibility for departmental duties such as administration, health and safety checks and monitor the use of resources to ensure the smooth running of the service. There will be a requirement to ensure work is communicated effectively to the supervising Occupational Therapist and the wider MDT and to complete accurate clinical records.

About us

At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, we are working together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Our people (all 4500+ of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites.

We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work-life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities.

What we offer;

• 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
• Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
• Flexible and agile working opportunities
• Great maternity, paternity, and adoption support
• Wide range of supportive staff networks
• Health and wellbeing opportunities

If you would like to know more, please visit our website.

We encourage you to read the attached applicant guidance notes.

Sharing your data - As a data controller we may sometimes need to process your data to pursue our legitimate business interests, for example to request a survey from you (optional), to support the Trusts understanding of where you gained interest in working for the Trust.

Job responsibilities

This is a part time post working with a working pattern that can be negotiated however, applicants who would like less hours (minimum of 15 hours) or flexible working hours would be considered.

For full details of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working with people, preferably in a caring
• Previous experience in a therapy setting/working alongside therapists

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to work independently, take responsibility and act on own initiative
• Able to work in a small team
• Ability to follow rehabilitation programmes presented by qualified staff

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification (e.g., A-level, NVQ3) in Care or equivalent qualification or experience in care sector
• Level 2 qualification (e.g., GCSE Grade A-C or Grade 9-4, NVQ2) in Care and will be expected to undertake the relevant Level 3 qualification on appointment to post or equivalent qualification or experience in care sector
• Will be expected to meet the Care Certificate standards within 12 weeks of commencing employment with the Trust
• I understand that I will be asked to provide original certificates to verify my qualifications at point of offer.

Additional Criteria

• Able to meet the travel requirements of the role
• You understand that we will not routinely provide sponsorship to work for this role.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust