Occupational Therapy Technician

Integrated Care System; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Plymouth is seeking a motivated Occupational Therapy Assistant to support rehabilitation for patients recovering from neurosurgery. The role involves assisting qualified therapists by implementing treatment plans, helping with daily activities, and documenting patient progress. Ideal candidates will have minimum qualifications in English and Maths, alongside relevant NVQ training, and experience with patients. This position offers a competitive salary package and the opportunity to contribute to patient care in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience working directly with patients or vulnerable adults required.
• Basic understanding of occupational therapy is needed.
• Experience assisting in occupational therapy interventions for patients.

Responsibilities

• Assist OTs in delivering treatment plans for neurosurgical patients.
• Support patients with activities of daily living.
• Maintain accurate documentation of patient progress.

Skills

Compassion

Team player

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

GCSE in English and Maths or equivalent

NVQ 3 or equivalent training

Job description

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our dedicated neurosurgery team. Working under the supervision of qualified Occupational Therapists, you will support the delivery of high-quality care to patients with complex neurological conditions. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to patients' rehabilitation and recovery journey within a specialist inpatient environment.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

Assist Occupational Therapists in the assessment, planning, and implementation of individual and group treatment sessions for patients recovering from neurosurgical procedures (e.g., brain tumours, traumatic brain injury, spinal surgery).

Support patients with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as personal care, functional mobility, cognitive tasks, and upper limb rehabilitation.

Carry out delegated treatment plans and monitor patient progress, reporting changes or concerns to the supervising therapist.

Help prepare therapy materials and equipment, ensuring safe and appropriate use at all times.

Maintain accurate and timely patient documentation in line with Trust and professional standards.

Assist in ordering, issuing, and checking adaptive equipment and ensuring correct fitting and use.

Liaise with the wider multidisciplinary team (MDT), including nurses, physiotherapists, and speech and language therapists, to support holistic patient care.

Contribute to discharge planning by providing functional assessments and feedback under supervision.

Promote patient independence and dignity at all stages of rehabilitation.

Participate in in-service training and personal development activities as required

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Job responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

1 Supporting Qualified Occupational Therapists

Assist OTs in delivering treatment plans and rehabilitation programmes for neurosurgical patients (e.g. following brain or spinal surgery, trauma, or tumours).

Carry out delegated therapy tasks such as mobility practice, basic cognitive exercises, ADL (Activities of Daily Living) training, and functional tasks.

Help patients practice using adaptive equipment or techniques taught by the OT.

Work with patients on the ward, in side rooms, or therapy areas under supervision.

Support patients with personal care tasks if needed, linked to therapy goals (e.g. washing, dressing practice).

Encourage and motivate patients to participate in their rehabilitation.

3 Equipment and Environment

Prepare, clean, and maintain therapy equipment and resources.

Help with issuing, fitting, or demonstrating basic adaptive equipment under guidance.

Report any equipment faults.

4 Record Keeping

Keep accurate notes of treatment sessions and patient progress, according to departmental policy.

Provide feedback to the supervising OT about patient performance or any concerns.

5 Communication

Liaise with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) nurses, physios, doctors to ensure coordinated care.

Communicate clearly and sensitively with patients and families about therapy activities, within your scope.

6 Administrative & Team Tasks

Help maintain a safe and tidy therapy environment.

Take part in team meetings, training, and supervision.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

1 Supporting Qualified Occupational Therapists

• Assist OTs in delivering treatment plans and rehabilitation programmes for neurosurgical patients (e.g. following brain or spinal surgery, trauma, or tumours).

• Carry out delegated therapy tasks such as mobility practice, basic cognitive exercises, ADL (Activities of Daily Living) training, and functional tasks.

• Help patients practice using adaptive equipment or techniques taught by the OT.

2 Direct Patient Care

• Work with patients on the ward, in side rooms, or therapy areas under supervision.

• Support patients with personal care tasks if needed, linked to therapy goals (e.g. washing, dressing practice).

• Encourage and motivate patients to participate in their rehabilitation.

3 Equipment and Environment

• Prepare, clean, and maintain therapy equipment and resources.

• Help with issuing, fitting, or demonstrating basic adaptive equipment under guidance.

• Report any equipment faults.

4 Record Keeping

• Keep accurate notes of treatment sessions and patient progress, according to departmental policy.

• Provide feedback to the supervising OT about patient performance or any concerns.

5 Communication

• Liaise with the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) nurses, physios, doctors to ensure coordinated care.

• Communicate clearly and sensitively with patients and families about therapy activities, within your scope.

6 Administrative & Team Tasks

• Support general departmental admin e.g. stock checks, filing, photocopying.

• Help maintain a safe and tidy therapy environment.

• Take part in team meetings, training, and supervision.

Key Points for Neurosurgery

• Patients may have complex needs: mobility impairments, cognitive changes, fatigue, and sometimes behavioural or communication difficulties.

• Youll work under close supervision of registered OTs, as Band 3 is a support role, not autonomous practice.

• You may be asked to support discharge planning tasks e.g. gathering equipment, making simple recommendations within guidelines.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSE in English and Maths (or equivalent)
• NVQ 3 or equivalent training
• oDemonstrable Experience of working within Health, Social or Community services setting
• To have health care related qualification
• To have basic Food & Hygiene certificate

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Demonstrable Experience working directly with patients or vulnerable adults
• Basic understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy
• Demonstrable Experience of working with patients individually or in groups
• IT Literate and demonstrable experience of using office equipment e.g. Fax, telephone
• To have worked in an OT Department
• To have demonstrable experience of assisting in OT interventions for patients
• Demonstrable Experience of working within an acute hospital setting

APTITUDE & ABILITIES

• oTo be interested in promoting independence for patients
• oTo have the ability to recognise own limitations
• oTo be independent and able to accept responsibility
• oTo have good communication skills, and be able to manage patients with challenging behaviour
• oAbility to move and handle patients using appropriate recommended techniques/equipment

DISPOSITION / ATTITUDE / MOTIVATION

• Team player
• An interest in problem solving
• Ability to build rapport
• An understanding of confidentiality
• Organisational skills
• Able to identify when to seek support

Other Factors

• oAble to travel to various parts of Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall
• oAvailable to work on bank holiday and weekend rotas
• Able to comply with Manual Handling policies and guidelines

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.

OT team lead for Neurosurgery and Critical Care

£24,937 to £26,598 a yearPer Annum Pro Rata