Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner
Band 4 – fixed term 12 months, part‑time 22.5 hours per week. Job ref 279-7648194-DEC25.
Job overview
Acute inpatient neurology team at Worthing Hospital. Cover maternity leave.
Main duties of the job
* Manage a designated patient caseload and treat according to treatment protocols, adjusting as needed.
* Work independently in varied settings, with personal or telephone access to a qualified OT.
* Undertake home visits and access visits, with or without a therapist (accompanied or unaccompanied).
* Provide non‑clinical services (administrative duties, maintaining a safe environment, maintaining equipment).
* Provide educational support to patients and carers in unsupervised settings.
* Promote understanding of the aims of therapy.
* Interpret patient performance to form appropriate intervention plans guided by a qualified OT.
* Assist with discharges, ordering and issuing equipment, leading PADL and DADL assessments, liaising with MDT, making referrals as appropriate.
* Seek supervision from an OT to inform analysis and reasoning, especially for complex needs or situations.
Detailed responsibilities and skills
* Communicate effectively with patient, carer, and multidisciplinary team members, respecting autonomy and culture.
* Educate patients, carers, and relevant MDT staff on occupational therapy practice topics (e.g., ADL assessment, equipment, adaptive techniques).
* Use advanced empathetic and interpersonal skills to encourage and empower patients and carers.
* Assist in informative/observational visits, work‑shadow sessions, and new staff induction.
* Attend hand‑over and MDT meetings to represent current caseload holders.
* Analyse outcomes of assessments and apply them to patient‑centred treatment plans.
* Read and monitor vital signs and clinical information to ensure safety during therapy sessions.
* Read, monitor and safely disconnect/reconnect equipment to enable therapeutic treatment.
* Deliver and install simple aids and equipment in the patient’s home and instruct patients and carers in use.
* Participate and lead patient group education sessions (e.g., joint school, hip fracture falls group).
* Promote safe and timely discharges for patients.
* 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.
Person specification
Experience / Qualifications
* Completion of Occupational Therapy Band 3 competencies.
* Good numeracy, literacy and written communication skills.
* Health care related qualification at NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
* 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 GCSEs, Grade A–D (9‑3), including English and Maths or Level 1 Functional Skills or equivalent.
* Good understanding and experience of conditions related to the speciality.
* Evidence of own development of knowledge and skills (e.g., portfolio/CPD).
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, Diversity & Inclusion
* Evidence of championing diversity in previous roles (as appropriate).
* Evidence of own development to improve understanding of equality issues.
Important information for applicants
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation. Applications that rely heavily on AI‑generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Advert Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
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 Immigration eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the GOV.UK website searching for “Skilled Worker.” It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure 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
uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.
For help with the application process for Non‑Nursing vacancies, please email
uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.
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.
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