Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner

Transformationunitgm; Worthing; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust based in Worthing is seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join their acute inpatient team. This part-time role offers a chance to work with a supportive multidisciplinary team, focusing on maximizing patient functional independence and facilitating safe discharges. Candidates should possess experience in occupational therapy and a genuine interest in working with patients with medical-related conditions. Regular training and supervision will be provided.

Qualifications

• Completion of Occupational Therapy Band 3 competencies.
• At least 6 months previous experience as Occupational Therapy Technician in an acute Adult setting.
• Experience of carrying out functional assessments.

Responsibilities

• Manage a designated patient caseload and treat according to treatment protocols.
• Undertake home visits and access visits as required.
• Provide educational support to patients / carers in unsupervised settings.

Skills

Observation skills

Communication skills

Ability to work independently

Education

Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or equivalent

5 GCSE’s Grade A-D including English and Maths

Job description

Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Worthing Hospital Town Worthing Salary £26,530 - £29,114 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 11/06/2025 23:59

Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner

Band 4

About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts , we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview

We have an exciting part time Band 4 opportunity for an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner in our acute inpatient team at Worthing Hospital.

We are looking for candidates with experience in occupational therapy and an interest in working with patients with medical related conditions. This friendly supportive team works across the medical wards and includes working with patients who are frail, elderly, palliative or on a specialty medicine ward. You will have the opportunity to work closely with MDT members completing OT assessments to maximise patients' functional independence and facilitate safe discharges home with supervision of registered OTs. Regular supervision and training opportunities are provided.

Main duties of the job

To manage a designated patient caseload and treat according to treatment protocols; being able to make alterations when required by assessment of patient progression.

To work in varied and unsupervised settings, with personal or telephone access to qualified Occupational Therapist.

To undertake home visits and access visits, with or without a therapist (accompanied/unaccompanied), as required.

To provide non-clinical services to the speciality team e.g. administrative duties, maintaining a safe environment and maintaining equipment.

To provide educational support to patients / carers in unsupervised settings.

To promote understanding of the aims of therapy.

To interpret the elements of the patient performance in order to form appropriate intervention plans guided by a qualified Occupational Therapist where appropriate.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communications and Relationship skills - (Factor 1)

To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. Health Care Assistants, Physiotherapy Assistants, Nursing staff, Social Workers) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patient’s potential.

To develop professional therapeutic relationships with patients and carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture, and manage potential barriers to communication such as dysphasia, learning difficulty, deafness, another language etc. This will involve the effective use of verbal, written, pictorial, tactile and visual communication tools.

Educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of topics covering Occupational Therapy practice, e.g. ADL assessment, equipment, adaptive techniques, signposting.

Use advanced empathetic, tactful and interpersonal skills to encourage and empower patients and carers to maximise patients’ functional potential; giving opportunity for unloading / sharing of concerns and issues and providing informal counselling.

Assist in informative / observational visits, work-shadow sessions and specific areas of induction process eg new members of staff, students and volunteers.

Attend Handover & MDT meetings to represent current Occupational Therapy caseload holders with regards to patient progress and potential and be able to make to decisions within agreed parameters.

To liaise proactively with other team members with regards to day to day issues and ward management eg staff shortages, increased patient caseload

Analytical and Judgemental skills - (Factor 3)

Be able to accurately read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, NEWS, Hb, Temperature, SaO2 etc

To recognise improvements and deterioration in patient’s condition and act appropriately by informing relevant MDT members (e.g. nursing staff) and supervising Occupational Therapist.

To analyse outcomes of assessments and apply them to the formation of patient centred treatment plans and in engaging patients in therapeutic activities to promote independence and well being

To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients.

To liaise regularly with the Occupational Therapist to discuss patient progress, particularly any variation in the treatment delivered or deviation from the expected outcome of the treatment plan.

To anticipate and facilitate discharge planning of delegated patient caseload e.g. ordering and issuing equipment, lead PADL and DADL assessments, liaise with MDT, and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.

To seek supervision from an Occupational Therapist to inform analysis and reasoning, and when more complex needs or situations become apparent.

Read, monitor and safely disconnect/reconnect equipment knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting

Planning and Organisational skills - (Factor 4)

To be responsible for equipment used in implementing duties, adhering to departmental and Trust policies e.g. manual handling and therapeutic equipment.

Ensure treatment and equipment storage areas are kept to a tidy and hygienic standard. E.g. buffer store. Ensuring safety and cleanliness of equipment in line with department policies.

To be responsible for the re-ordering, stock checking and replacement of short term loan equipment (e.g. ADL aids), and documentation /information sheets /ward books.

To respond to patient equipment issues, seeking guidance where necessary.

Carry out administrative tasks e.g. telephone calls, collecting medical records, booking home and access visits.

To comply with the Trust and departmental policies regarding prompt recording and reporting of accidents.

Participate in the planning and administration of CPD courses offered to support staff from other department’s and trusts e.g. Speciality specific study day.

To prioritise a delegated patient caseload and manage the ongoing assessment, intervention and evaluation of patients from the caseload without direct supervision.

To anticipate and facilitate discharge planning of delegated patient caseload e.g. ordering and issuing equipment, lead PADL and DADL assessments, liaise with MDT, and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.

Patient/ Client Care - (Factor

Gain valid consent for all Occupational Therapy interventions and document accurately.

Involved in the Rehabilitation of patients using knowledge of functional and user defined meaningful activity as well as therapeutic handling techniques.

To apply a basic understanding of the effect of disability and relevant conditions on patients and their environments.

To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients.

To assist nursing staff and therapists as required regarding day to day care of patients, e.g. toileting needs, transfers, maintaining hygienic environment.

To be able to correctly apply various therapeutic aids as appropriate (to aid function) in discussion with the Occupational Therapist, e.g.) splints, braces, plaster shoes, walking aids.

Work with patients in ward settings. Be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure Patient and Therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, NEWS, Hb, Temperature, SaO2 etc.

Read, monitor and safely disconnect / reconnect equipment, knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting.

To deliver and install simple aids and equipment in the patient’s home and instruct patients and carers in use of the equipment as appropriate (in line with manufacturers guidelines) and to assess understanding of recipients.

Participate and lead where necessary patient group education sessions routinely eg. Joint school, hip fracture falls group, ward based function groups.

To assess for and prescribe ward based/temporary wheelchairs for appropriate patients along with wheelchair accessories and making necessary adjustments.

To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. health care assistants, physiotherapy assistants, nursing staff, Social Workers) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patient’s potential.

Educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of topics covering Occupational Therapy techniques, e.g. therapeutic positioning, transfers, wheelchair mobility, safe use of OT equipment, hoisting.

To promote safe and timely discharges for Patient’s

Please see attached Job Description for full details.

Person specification

Experience/ Qualifications

• Completion of Occupational Therapy Band 3 competencies .
• Good skills in numeracy, literacy and written communication
• Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification or level or experience
• At least 6 months previous experience as Occupational Therapy Technician in an acute Adult setting.
• Experience of access assessments and escorting on home visits
• Experience of carrying out functional assessments
• 5 GCSE’s Grade A-D (9-3) including English and Maths or Level 1 Functional Skills or equivalent.
• Good understanding and experience of conditions related to speciality
• Evidence of own development of knowledge and skills e.g. Portfolio / CPD (continuing professional development)

Skills

• Experience working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Rehab Assistant
• Knowledge of roles of other members of the multidisciplinary team
• Able to work under own initiative
• Able to plan own workload on a day to day basis
• Well-developed observation skills and the ability to attend to detail
• Ability to manage conflict situations and know when and how to escalate appropriately.
• Able to interpret clinical observations in light of OT treatment.
• Demonstrated experience of holding a caseload.

People Management and Development

• Be involved in service objectives and service development
• Be proactive in own learning, supervision and appraisal
• Ability to highlight concerns regarding service provision to appropriate person

Equality, FDoversoty & inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Important information for applicants:

Please note, the use of AI generated applications will be closely monitored. It is at the managers discretion to reject your application if they feel the majority has been created through the use of AI tools.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.

DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria.For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.

UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications

Further Information

For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email [e-mail].

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.