Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health service provider in Gateshead is seeking a Therapy Assistant to support patient rehabilitation and discharges. The role involves working under the supervision of occupational and physiotherapists, delivering patient interventions, and managing rehabilitation programmes. Ideal candidates will demonstrate relevant competencies and hold a valid UK driving license. This position includes shift work and participation in a rota system, offering a collaborative and supportive team environment.

Benefits

Flexible working patterns

Robust training programme

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience at band 2 or band 3 level within the NHS.
• Ability to implement prescribed rehabilitation programmes.
• Access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Responsibilities

• Deliver directed patient interventions to support discharges from hospital.
• Manage own daily programme of work and prioritize tasks.
• Implement treatment programmes with an allocated caseload.

Skills

Therapy-based competencies

Ability to work in a team

Flexible and adaptable approach

Education

Relevant therapy qualifications

Full UK driving license

Job description

Reference checks and DBS requirements

All references from current and previous employers will be sought and MUST cover a minimum of 3 years employment. When completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover 3 years employment. Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

DBS checks and sponsorship

PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. It is also a requirement that all successful applicants register or are registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required.

Pay and appointment

All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum of the pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions.

Role overview

Your role will involve working alongside occupational therapists and physiotherapists on the wards to deliver directed patient interventions to help support safe and timely discharges from hospital. + To provide a high standard of therapy assistant service to ward, group and clinic based patients.

• To carry out tasks delegated from professionally registered staff across physiotherapy, occupational therapy. This will be delegated appropriately within clear guidelines, ensuring patient focused care is delivered.
• To be responsible for the continuation of rehabilitation programmes during weekdays, weekends and bank holidays.
• To enable patients to achieve their optimum level of independence in mobility and activities of daily living, + To work primarily with the Older Persons and Medicine Team's which would include working across multiple wards and community settings where required.
• To work with therapists with planning and facilitating the patient's progression through the treatment plan, within the guidance of the rehabilitation plan set out for the patient.
• To provide cross team cover as required within the limits of competencies.
• To be responsible for implementing prescribed treatment programmes with an allocated caseload, following an initial screening by a registered therapist.
• To work with therapists with planning and facilitating the patient's progression through the treatment plan, within the protocols/plans set out by the registered therapists.
• To take responsibility for delegated caseload and report outcomes appropriately, including reporting urgent and important information promptly to the appropriate person.
• To be responsible for prioritising and planning of own daily programme of work

Applicants who have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date are to assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Applications from job seekers who require Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications where the post is eligible. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Candidates who require sponsorship are strongly advised to visit the UK Border Agency website and familiarise themselves with what is required. There is a facility on this site to access the points based calculator and work through an example which should assist candidates in their understanding of the process.

Qualifications and competencies

Applicants should be able to evidence relevant therapy based competencies (ideally at band 2 or band 3 level within the NHS), to demonstrate the ability to implement prescribed rehabilitation programmes whilst working with patients with a range of conditions, or be able to demonstrate transferable skills which would allow you to fulfil the job role. You will be supported through a robust competency training programme as well as access to regular training, supervision and CPD opportunities.

Additional requirements

Applicants are required to hold a full UK driving license and have access to a vehicle for work purposes. You will be required to work a shift pattern between the hours of 08:00 - 17:00 and will be expected to participate in a 7 day working rota, including weekend and bank holiday shifts.

Team and work environment

The successful candidate will be managed with the occupational therapy team. We require the post holder to have a flexible and adaptable approach as you may be asked to work within other clinical OT teams within the department.

Organisation overview

Working for our organisation

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead. Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients. We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region. Our values should be the "golden thread" which runs through everything we do - they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement. We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women's Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks. The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our 'Balance' programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.