Go back Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
Assistant Practitioner (Occupational Therapy)
The closing date is 03 March 2026
An exciting and rare opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join our well-established Inpatient Occupational Therapy Team at St George's Park. The role is based predominantly on the male acute wards although you may at times be required to providing interventions across other wards. The ability to work flexibly is therefore essential.
The successful candidate will be working with patients to provide ongoing occupational therapy assessment and intervention on and off the ward. You will assist the Occupational Therapists to plan, design and deliver interventions within the objectives of the treatment plan. In addition to 1:1 interventions you will have an active role in the provision of group activity sessions. You will be involved in the gathering of information from carers, relatives and the wider MDT, attending meetings and providing feedback from an Occupational Therapy Perspective.
You will require the ability to work autonomously, implement and follow care plans, which have been developed in collaboration with service users, families/carers, and inpatients staff. You will need to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, be IT literate and have a flexible approach to the role. You will have responsibility of liaising with appropriate organisations promoting patient community links with social groups, charities, vocational work etc.
Main duties of the job
To assist in the delivery of care to service users who have a variety of needs, diverse presentations and a range of mental, physical health, neurological conditions, cognitive and/or learning disabilities under the direction of a registered practitioner. The overall responsibility for the service user remains, at all times with the registered practitioner.
They will deliver interventions under supervision and guidance from a registered practitioner and as a lone worker where appropriate undertaking delegated tasks within competency boundaries.
They will actively promote service users health and well- being by planning and delivering therapeutic interventions to promote leisure, social and occupational activities, monitoring of physical health, psychological interventions as appropriate to the clinical area. Therefore providing effective person centred care.
Actively engage with the supervision and appraisal process as identified in the trust policy.
They will where appropriate undertake the on‑going supervision and delegation of the routine work of support workers guided by standard operating procedures and protocols.
They will provide compassionate care that is based on empathy, kindness, respect and dignity.
They will support the induction, training, education and assessment of trainee or new assistant practitioners, students and clinical support workers. This may include leading and coordinating a team of support workers.
About us
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re‑Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.
Job responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 17th February 2026
We welcome your application.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Foundation degree in applied social studies or alternative (NVQ/BTEC/QCF) with additional training to diploma level equivalent in the speciality field.
* Demonstrate the knowledge and skills applicable to the post as detailed in the person specification
Knowledge and Experience
* Experience of working in an appropriate care setting
* Able to follow instructions recognising the boundaries of own competency
* Experience of supervising/teaching individuals
* Previous experience of working in Occupational Therapy
* Experience of working in a multi‑disciplinary setting
* Previous experience of working within an mental health inpatient setting
Skills and Competencies
* Ability to use IT system
* Ability to establish a rapport with service users
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* To be able to demonstrate specific theoretical knowledge as described in service role descriptor
Role/Team specific requirements
* Ability to cope with distressing and emotional situations.
* Enthusiastic and motivated
Personal Characteristics
* Flexible
* Confident
* Reliable
* Innovative and resourceful
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
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust
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