Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor – Neurosciences/Major Trauma
Closing date: 13 April 2026
Are you an experienced and motivated healthcare professional looking to further your career? We are seeking a Band 4 Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor to join our dedicated Neurosciences team at Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. This role is part of two Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor roles within Neurosciences and Major Trauma. It offers the chance to make a real difference in patients' lives as part of a supportive and multidisciplinary environment.
As an Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor, you will play a key role in delivering high‑quality, patient‑centred care. Under the guidance of registered Therapists, you will work as part of a multi‑disciplinary team within the Inpatient Therapy Service and be responsible for managing an allocated caseload within the Inpatient Wards. You will support patients in their hospital journey, working to enable independence and improve their quality of life.
If you are passionate about delivering exceptional patient care and want to be part of an innovative team, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
Your responsibilities will include:
* Manage an allocated caseload within the Neurosciences Inpatient Wards.
* Support and implement therapy interventions designed by Occupational Therapists to facilitate rehab.
* Conduct therapeutic activities and exercises with patients, in line with agreed care plans.
* Complete assessments of patients' functional abilities and report progress to Clinicians.
* Support discharge planning by providing input on patients' progress and potential needs.
* Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records of patient care.
* Contribute to the smooth operation of the Therapy Service, including equipment management and administrative tasks.
To succeed in this role, you will need to demonstrate:
* Previous experience as a Therapy Assistant, Assistant Practitioner or similar role within a healthcare setting.
* Knowledge of rehabilitation principles and the role of Occupational Therapy.
* Effective communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with patients, families and colleagues.
* A proactive, team‑focused approach with the ability to work independently.
* Competence in using IT systems for record‑keeping and reporting.
* NVQ Level 4 in Health and Social Care (or equivalent qualification), or the willingness to work towards it.
About us
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1,100 beds, the Trust focuses on a quality service that is all about people – patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing "outstanding" care and rated "Good" overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, CUH is committed to delivering high‑quality healthcare for the local community and specialist services for a regional, national and international population.
CUH values – Together, Safe, Kind, Excellent – form the foundation of patient care, guiding how all staff work and behave. We promote a diverse and inclusive community, valuing our differences and supporting an environment where everyone can fulfil their potential.
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full‑time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full‑time permanent contract unless you have:
* Applied for a Graduate visa.
* Successfully completed your course and applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment.
* Or the Trust can Sponsor you as a Skilled Worker and you will complete your studies within 3 months of the anticipated start date of employment.
The advert will close at midnight on 13 April 2026. Interviews are due to be held on 21 April 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals we offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on‑site leisure facilities, a shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our programme includes reduced‑cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from the hospital site, free Park and Ride between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites, and free travel to and from Cambridge train station. We also subsidise parking costs for eligible staff.
Hot food is available 24/7 on the campus at a reduced cost for colleagues. We have opened the first staff pod break spaces in the Deakin Centre, featuring a colleague‑only cafe with free tea and coffee, break space and private outside area.
Flexible arrangements may include part‑time work, job‑share, term‑time work and flexible start/finish times. We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Qualifications
* A Levels or NVQ level 3 or equivalent level of knowledge and experience in a health care setting.
* English and maths GCSE at pass level.
* NVQ Level 3 Care certificate.
* Willingness to undertake relevant training in line with the demands of the role.
Experience
* Working in a variety of health/caring settings in a direct patient role.
* Working as a team member.
* Prioritising, planning and organising own tasks.
* Working within guidelines.
* Experience working with challenging and complex patient groups.
* Working with indirect supervision.
* Assisting with personal care.
* Experience of moving and handling patients and equipment.
* Working with individuals with a disability/illness, including assisting with personal care activities.
* Working with Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, including discharge planning.
* Working in project groups on service development.
* Contributing to the development of learning environment.
* Experience working in the NHS.
* Experience working in an acute hospital with neurosciences and trauma patients.
* Experience working in a Therapy Team and with a patient's rehabilitation.
Knowledge
* Knowledge of the role of confidentiality within healthcare.
* Knowledge of the role of occupational therapy.
* Evidence of participation in personal / professional development activities.
* Knowledge of how to use adaptive equipment to help those with physical disability.
* Understanding how disability can affect patients’ performance in activities of daily living.
* Awareness of the occupational therapy process in an acute care setting.
Skills
* Effective and adaptive communication skills.
* IT skills including e‑mail, Word and Excel.
* Close team working.
* Professional attitude and appearance.
* Positive promotion of occupational therapy.
* Seeking guidance appropriately and proactively.
* Work under pressure.
* Ability to follow instructions/directions regarding tasks assigned.
* Ability to make informed decisions under guidance of a team leader.
* Good observation skills.
* Accurate reporting of patient‑related activities verbally and in documentation.
* Effective organisation of own time.
* Appropriate response to unexpected circumstances.
* Literacy and numeracy skills.
* Personal time management.
* Work within the boundaries of the job role.
* Build a therapeutic rapport to engage patients in occupational therapy.
* Dealing with challenging behaviour.
* Managing resources (e.g. equipment stock levels).
* Prioritisation skills to manage a caseload with indirect supervision from a team leader.
* Aware of the needs of other team members.
* Complete risk assessments.
Additional Requirements
* Understand and behave towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
* Willingness to change work team to suit service needs.
* Have mechanisms for dealing with stress and recognise when to use them.
* Willingness to be flexible in approach and attitude.
* Physical ability to navigate the demands of the role, e.g. completing manual handling procedures with patients.
* Willingness to cover other Therapy Services as needed.
* Willingness to transport patients for home assessments and throughout the hospital.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission of a Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly the CRB) to check for any previous convictions.
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
£28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum pro rata
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