Occupational Therapy Assistant

ESHT; Bexhill-on-Sea; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust in Bexhill-on-Sea is seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join the Intermediate Care team on the Stroke Rehab and Complex Rehab ward. This full-time role supports delivery of rehabilitation interventions in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.

The post requires GCSE English and Maths, NVQ3 in care or therapy discipline, NHS experience, and good communication, initiative, and organisation.

Qualifications

• GCSE with English and Maths.
• NVQ3 in direct care or a therapy discipline or proven equivalent knowledge and experience.
• NHS or Social Services experience.
• Experience within a therapy setting.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of therapeutic interventions alongside qualified OT colleagues.
• Work with the multidisciplinary team to assist patient rehabilitation.
• Participate in clinical supervision to develop personal and professional skills.

Skills

Communication skills

Initiative

Time management

Organisation

IT skills

Motivation

Learning from experience

Education

GCSE English and Maths

NVQ3 in direct care or therapy discipline

Job description

We do not charge fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements or employment offers. All current vacancies can be found below, with the published contact details being the only authorised routes for recruitment communications, applications and verification of job offers.

Main area Stroke Rehabilitation Bexhill Irvine Unit Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 374-KN356-B

Site Bexhill Irvine Unit Town Bexhill On Sea Salary £25,760 - £27,476 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 05/11/2026 23:59

We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area.

We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex.

Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000+ dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people’s own homes.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated ‘Outstanding’ and Eastbourne DGH was rated ‘Good’ Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services.

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our Intermediate Care team at Bexhill Irvine Unit, working between Stroke rehab and Complex rehab. Bexhill Irvine Unit is a 54 bedded rehabilitation unit, where the teams strive to deliver person centred therapy interventions. The Occupational Therapy assistant is essential is supporting the delivery of interventions alongside the multidisciplinary team. This is a full time opportunity for a dynamic and motivated individual to join the team.

Main duties of the job

This post is ideal for candidates who are keen to learn, able to work independently and have a health care background. You will work closely with your qualified OT colleagues to support patients. You will have the opportunity to take part in clinical supervision to enhance your personal and professional development.

Working for our organisation

We are proud to provide ‘Outstanding’ care and be a great place to work

We provide safe, compassionate and high quality care to half a million people living or visiting East Sussex. We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex, the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. Our extensive services are provided by 7000 + members of staff working from acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites and in people’s own homes.

In 2020 the Care Quality Commission rated us as ‘Good’ overall, and ‘Outstanding’ for being caring and effective. The Conquest Hospital and our Community Services are rated ‘Outstanding’. Eastbourne DGH rated ‘Good’.

In 2020, the Trust launched its ambitious ‘Building for our Future’ programme. This once in a lifetime programme aims to repair, redevelop and expand our hospitals, transforming the environment in which we provide care for generations to come.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description attached.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE with English and Maths
• NVQ3 in direct care or a therapy discipline or proven equivalent knowledge and experience.

Experience

• Experience in patient / client care
• Ability to communicate and work with patients.
• NHS or Social Services Experience.
• Experience within Therapy Setting.

Skills

• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work under own initiative where required
• Good organisational skills
• Flexible with effective time management skills
• Basic IT and keyboard skills
• Physically able to assist patients / hoisting equipment for care and movement
• Ability to motivate
• Evidence of ability to learn from past success / failure

Knowledge

• Understanding of Occupational Therapy
• Interest in rehabilitation
• Understanding of the principles of equal opportunities in relation to staff and patients
• Full driving licence and access to own transport

Patients come first at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

Our vision is to be:

• The healthcare provider of first choice for the people of East Sussex.

Our mission is to:

• Deliver better health outcomes and an excellent experience for everyone we provide with healthcare services.

Our strategic objectives are to:

• Improve quality and clinical outcomes by ensuring that safe patient care is our highest priority.
• Play a leading role in local partnerships to meet the needs of our local population and improve and enhance patients’ experiences.
• Use our resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of our patients and their care to ensure our services are clinically, operationally and financially sustainable.

Our aims are that all services delivered by the Trust are:

• Safe
• Effective
• Caring
• Responsive and
• Well led

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.