Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Assistant Therapy Practitioner

Hpft; Radlett; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust is recruiting for an Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Assistant Therapy Practitioner (Band 4) to support inpatient Mental Health for Older People. The role blends OT and ATP duties with adults experiencing depression, psychosis and frailty across multiple sites.

The post offers weekday hours (9-5) with no weekend work and opportunities to travel between sites. A values-based screening is required, and sponsorship is not provided.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy role within setting.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages.
• A Levels and/or Health and Social Care NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
• Degree in relevant subject.

Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate occupationally based groups guided by an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist.
• Work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activity guided by an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist.
• Carry out specific Therapy assessments as guided by an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist.
• Promote a culture of engagement in meaningful occupation within the service in order to enhance quality of life.
• Provide core Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy advice, intervention and support given to service users and their carers under guidance of the OT/PT.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Physical skills

Physical effort

Mental effort

Emotional effort

Education

OT/PT knowledge

Microsoft Office

A Levels / Health and Social Care NVQ3

Degree in relevant subject

Job description

Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Assistant Therapy Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 4

Main area Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Assistant Therapy Practitioner Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract 9 months (Fixed Term Contract) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 367-SS-101586

Site Wren Ward Town Radlett Salary £29,812 - £32,715 per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAS) Salary period Yearly Closing 09/11/2026 23:59

Values Based Screener

At Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust we are looking for people to join us who share our values and those of the NHS. Before your application can be considered please take part on our online values questionnaire, which you can find below. When you have finished you will be sent a 'completion code' by email, which will be valid for 6 months and required to submit your application form.

Whilst we welcome all applications from all suitable candidates, unfortunately, we will not be offering sponsorship for this role.

We have an exciting opportunity for the combined role of Occupational Therapy (OT)/Physiotherapy Assistant Therapy Practitioner (ATP) in our inpatient services for Mental Health for Older People (MHSOP). Applicants who have a specialist skill such as music skills that can be utilised in a therapeutic way are welcomed.

These roles are predominantly aimed at working with older adults with depression, psychosis and frailty however in our other units we also work with service users with dementia. The ability to travel to our sites in Hertford, Radlett, as well as Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, and Stevenage is necessary. We offer excellent on-site support and skill development opportunities within the role. Our core service hours are Monday to Friday, 9-5, no shift or weekend work. Start/finish times can be adjusted slightly after a flexible working discussion.

We are a welcoming and positive team who work hard to achieve good outcomes for our service users therefore experience of team working is required. You will need to have clinical experience of working with people with mental health needs. A passion for helping people to engage in meaningful occupations is essential.

Main duties of the job

As an Assistant Therapy Practitioner you would be required to:

Provide both individual and group interventions for service users in a busy ward environment

Provide occupationally based assessments and interventions under the guidance of an occupational therapist and physiotherapist

Evaluate your interventions and report back to the team, adjusting future interventions accordingly

Work collaboratively with the other members of the therapy team and wider MDT

Have the opportunity to work autonomously, use your initiative and creative skills

Develop knowledge and application of the Model of Human Occupation and other specialist assessments

Be responsible for organisation of your own workload, timetable and accurate and timely documentation of clinical notes

Attend and participate in the ATP CPD and support meeting.

Support students, junior members of staff, visitors, volunteers and visiting therapists, such as Music Therapy

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. E verything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We provide Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physiotherapy (PT) for those experiencing a range of mental health issues in later life. We provide a range of assessments and support our service users to achieve their goals through graded intervention, psychoeducation and encouragement to re-engage in activities which are meaningful to the service user.

As an Assistant Therapy Practitioner you would be involved in the provision of interventions for service users. This would involve a variety of methods, including providing opportunity to Service Users who may have difficulty engaging in day to day occupation. On a 1:1 or group basis, we will support you to develop the skills to support meaningful interaction and occupation with our Service Users.

Duties and Responsibilities :

• To plan and facilitate occupationally based groups guided by an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist.
• To work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activity guided by an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist.
• To carry our specific Therapy assessments as guided by an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist.
• To promote a culture of engagement in meaningful occupation within the service in order to enhance quality of life.
• To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values.
• To provide feedback to the team regarding observed occupational performance during a session which will contribute to assessment and therapeutic interventions.
• To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system.
• To liaise with carers and other professionals as relevant.
• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
• To attend mandatory training.
• To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor.
• To keep a record of your training and development activities.

Clinical Responsibility

• To work effectively as a member of a team in providing therapeutic activities using a person centered and occupationally based approach.
• To provide core Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy advice, intervention and support given to service users and their carers under guidance of the Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist.
• To provide timely feedback to the MDT information regarding the service users wellbeing and occupational performance.
• To use technical/creative skills to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities to promote independence, recovery and well-being.
• Under guidance of an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist, facilitate and deliver planned group-work and individual activities.
• Under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist provide ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.
• Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
• To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
• To contribute to risk assessments with regards to service users and clinical environment.
• To report incidents, safeguarding concerns, complaints and compliments.
• To actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal.
• To actively participate in safety huddles and de-brief sessions as appropriate.
• To adhere to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, the Trust’s Code of Conduct for Non-qualified Staff and all other relevant policies and procedures.

Leadership and Staff Management Responsibility

• To support in the learning and experience of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and other Multi-disciplinary students on placement within the unit within the remit of the role.
• To manage stock, advising and obtaining resources to carry out the job.
• To be responsible for the safekeeping and use of equipment and materials.
• To follow Service procedures with regards to use of and recording of petty cash use within the unit.
• To be responsible for the completion of own expenses claim.
• To ensure effective and efficient use of resources

Person specification

QUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION TRAINING

• Knowledge of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy role within setting
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages
• A Levels and/or Health and Social Care NVQ level 3 or equivalent
• Degree in relevant subject

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems
• Experience of leading groups and 1:1 interventions
• Ability to work autonomously
• Experience of working in a OT/PT related setting
• Experience of service user and carer involvement in the development of services
• Knowledge of Recovery principles
• Functional Assessment Training

SKILLS KNOWLEDGE and ABILITY 1. COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Ability to provide and receive sensitive information regarding services users care and social situation
• Strong communication skills written and verbal
• Knowledge of and ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagement
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Knowledge of appropriate professional relationships and boundaries
• Ability to teach practical skills
• Presentation Skills
• Second language (other than English)

2. ANALYTICAL SKILLS

• Good problem solving and clinical judgement skills
• Ability to understand and respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service users
• Good Observational skills
• Knowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation Assessment tools

3. PHYSICAL SKILLS

• Ability to use a range of IT equipment relevant to the role.
• Ability to engage in a range of physical activities
• Car Driver(unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)

4. PHYSICAL EFFORT

• Appropriate level of fitness to undertake all tasks within the role including RESPECT techniques unless you have a disability defined by the Equality Act
• Appropriate level of fitness to undertake moving and handling tasks required for the role
• Car Driver – ability to drive for extended periods of time (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)

5. MENTAL EFFORT

• Ability to concentrate, respond appropriately to interruptions and meet deadlines

6. EMOTIONAL EFFORT

• Regular requirement to deal with distressing or emotionally charged situations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Demonstrate an understanding of the value of activity to personal wellbeing

Please note, we do not charge fees for job applications, recruitment processes, sponsorship arrangements, or employment offers. Please see the Trust careers vacancy webpage and Trac as the only authorised routes for recruitment communications, applications and verification of job offers.

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.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application promptly.

Name Claire Potts Job title Head Occupational Therapist Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 07971537264 Additional information

Working hours Monday - Thursday 8am - 4pm