Occupational Therapy Assistant

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare provider in Gateshead is seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant to support patients and prescribers in accessing medical equipment services. The role involves assessing needs, delivering equipment, and collaborating with healthcare professionals. Candidates should have experience as a therapy assistant and meet specific qualifications. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Fitness centre

Career progression opportunities

Access to training and support

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a therapy assistant or relevant role at Band 3.
• Experience in a rehabilitation or relevant healthcare setting.
• Ability to work as part of an inter-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing service to patients, carers, and prescribers.
• Deliver and handover standard and specialist equipment.
• Liaise with suppliers for procurement of special orders.

Skills

Good organisational skills

Effective communication

Ability to prioritise workload

Ability to undertake patient moving & handling procedures

Empathy and ability to motivate others

Education

GCSE in English and Numeracy skills to level 2

NVQ 3 in health‑related subject

Recognised academic qualification in a health-related topic

Tools

ELMS2 equipment management system

Standard keyboard skills / use of electronic devices

Job description

Occupational Therapy Assistant – South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Closing date: 08 December 2025

We are looking for a motivated, experienced Therapy Assistant or Assistant Practitioner to join the team at Gateshead Equipment Services (GES). GES provides medical equipment services to the local authority and NHS in the Gateshead area, delivering a wide range of equipment to support people living in their own homes, supporting hospital discharge, preventing hospital admission, and supporting palliative care in the community.

Working under the guidance of our Specialist Occupational Therapist you will provide assistance to patients, carers and prescribers accessing GES and its staff and clients in the community.

Your role will include: carrying out bath/toilet/seating assessments; delivery and handover of standard and specialist equipment; assisting prescribers with assessments for standard and specialist equipment; assisting our Occupational Therapist with training and education of prescribers; liaising with suppliers for procurement of special orders; carrying out reviews and inspections of non-standard equipment under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist; carrying out regular stock checks; dealing with processing of equipment orders and with tasks and requests from patients, relatives and colleagues.

The post holder will be based at our warehouse facility on Team Valley Trading Estate in Gateshead. This is a community-based role. A full UK driving licence and access to a car with business insurance are required. The post is 37.5 hours, worked over 5 days per week, usually Monday‑Friday.

Main duties of the job

• Significant experience as a therapy assistant or other relevant role at Band 3 or equivalent, with experience in a rehabilitation or other relevant healthcare setting.
• Managing and prioritising your own caseload, undertaking assessment of less complex patients, providing effective treatment and maintaining accurate, relevant clinical records.
• Ability to undertake therapeutic patient moving & handling and non‑patient moving & handling procedures.
• Effective communication with a broad spectrum of individuals.
• Work independently following guidelines from qualified staff.
• Collaborate as part of a multi‑disciplinary team and empathise with and motivate others.
• Involvement in support/development of less experienced staff.
• Group working and teaching ability.
• Knowledge of the standard and specialist equipment supplied by GES.
• Knowledge and use of the ELMS2 equipment management system and electronic patient records systems.
• Meet the commuting & travel requirements of the post.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust – there are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award‑winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture and working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, and in particular those from under‑represented groups. Looking after our workforce’s health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

Our staff enjoy outstanding benefits: fitness centre, libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Coordinator to help with childcare arrangements.

If you use AI and it poses a risk to the integrity of your recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

• To work alongside the Specialist Practitioner Occupational Therapist providing assistance in the provision of service to patients, carers and prescribers accessing Gateshead Equipment Services (GES).
• To carry out bathing/toilet/seating assessments in the community.
• To deliver and handover standard & specialist equipment in the community.
• To assist prescribers with assessments for standard and specialist equipment.
• To assist the Occupational Therapist with the training and education of prescribers.
• To liaise with suppliers in the procurement of special orders.
• To carry out reviews and inspections of non-standard and specialist equipment under the supervision of the Occupational Therapist.
• To carry out a range of other non-clinical duties.
• To adhere to all Trust policies and procedures as they pertain to Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults, Health and Safety, Human Resources, Clinical and Patient Safety and continuing healthcare needs.
• To be guided by advice from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), good practice and established precedents.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

• Good organisational skills.
• Effective communication with a broad spectrum of individuals.
• Ability to prioritise workload.
• Work independently following guidelines from qualified staff.
• Able to present information written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
• Knowledge of provision and use of standard and specialist equipment supplied by GES.
• Empathy and ability to motivate others.
• Knowledge and use of ELMS2 equipment management system.
• Standard keyboard skills / use of electronic devices.

Physical Skills

• Able to undertake therapeutic patient moving & handling procedures.
• Able to undertake non-patient moving & handling procedures.
• Able to meet the commuting & travel requirements of the post.
• Full UK Driving licence and access to a car with business insurance.

Qualifications

• GCSE in English and Numeracy skills to level 2 or equivalent.
• NVQ 3 in health‑related subject or equivalent relevant previous experience.
• Recognised academic qualification in a health‑related topic.
• Trained Trusted Assessor for community equipment (or willingness to undertake this qualification).
• Record of personal development & reflective practice.
• Attendance at relevant professional courses.

Experience

• Evidence of ability to work as part of an inter‑disciplinary team.
• Significant experience of working as a therapy assistant or other relevant role at Band 3 or equivalent.
• Experience of working in a rehabilitation or relevant health‑care setting.
• Experience of managing own caseload.
• Experience of involvement in support/development of less experienced staff.
• Experience of group working & teaching.
• Recent proven experience of working with clients in a hospital or community setting.
• Previous experience as a Band 4 technical instructor.
• Experience of working with individuals who have communication difficulties.

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

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust