Job overview
We have an exciting part time Band 4 opportunity for an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner in our acute inpatient neurology team at Worthing Hospital. This post will be a 12 month fixed term contract covering maternity leave .
We are looking for candidates with experience of working in an acute or rehab hospital setting within the specialism if occupational therapy, with specific experience of working with patients with neurological related conditions. This friendly supportive team works on the stroke unit, and across inpatient wards seeing patients with acute neurological related conditions. You will have the opportunity to work closely with MDT members completing OT assessments to maximise patients' functional independence and facilitate safe discharges home with supervision of registered OTs. Regular supervision and training opportunities are provided.
Main duties of the job
To manage a designated patient caseload and treat according to treatment protocols; being able to make alterations when required by assessment of patient progression.
To work in varied and unsupervised settings, with personal or telephone access to qualified Occupational Therapist.
To undertake home visits and access visits, with or without a therapist (accompanied/unaccompanied), as required.
To provide non-clinical services to the speciality team e.g. administrative duties, maintaining a safe environment and maintaining equipment.
To undertake delegated projects.
To provide educational support to patients / carers in unsupervised settings.
To promote understanding of the aims of therapy.
To interpret the elements of the patient performance in order to form appropriate intervention plans guided by a qualified Occupational Therapist where appropriate.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex
Candidate information pack - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please note: This role does not meet the minimum criteria for visa sponsorship under the current UK immigration rules, which set specific salary and skill thresholds. As such, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. Applicants will therefore need to already have the right to work in the UK to be considered. We include this information at the outset to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary inconvenience for applicants.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
Communications and Relationship skills - (Factor 1)
To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. Health Care Assistants, Physiotherapy Assistants, Nursing staff, Social Workers) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patient’s potential.
To develop professional therapeutic relationships with patients and carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture, and manage potential barriers to communication such as dysphasia, learning difficulty, deafness, another language etc. This will involve the effective use of verbal, written, pictorial, tactile and visual communication tools.
Educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of topics covering Occupational Therapy practice, e.g. ADL assessment, equipment, adaptive techniques, signposting.
Use advanced empathetic, tactful and interpersonal skills to encourage and empower patients and carers to maximise patients’ functional potential; giving opportunity for unloading / sharing of concerns and issues and providing informal counselling.
Assist in informative / observational visits, work-shadow sessions and specific areas of induction process eg new members of staff, students and volunteers.
Attend Handover & MDT meetings to represent current Occupational Therapy caseload holders with regards to patient progress and potential and be able to make to decisions within agreed parameters.
To liaise proactively with other team members with regards to day to day issues and ward management eg staff shortages, increased patient caseload
Analytical and Judgemental skills - (Factor 3)
Be able to accurately read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, NEWS, Hb, Temperature, SaO2 etc
To recognise improvements and deterioration in patient’s condition and act appropriately by informing relevant MDT members (e.g. nursing staff) and supervising Occupational Therapist.
To analyse outcomes of assessments and apply them to the formation of patient centred treatment plans and in engaging patients in therapeutic activities to promote independence and well being
To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients.
To liaise regularly with the Occupational Therapist to discuss patient progress, particularly any variation in the treatment delivered or deviation from the expected outcome of the treatment plan.
To anticipate and facilitate discharge planning of delegated patient caseload e.g. ordering and issuing equipment, lead PADL and DADL assessments, liaise with MDT, and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.
To seek supervision from an Occupational Therapist to inform analysis and reasoning, and when more complex needs or situations become apparent.
Read, monitor and safely disconnect/reconnect equipment knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting
Planning and Organisational skills - (Factor 4)
To be responsible for equipment used in implementing duties, adhering to departmental and Trust policies e.g. manual handling and therapeutic equipment.
Ensure treatment and equipment storage areas are kept to a tidy and hygienic standard. E.g. buffer store. Ensuring safety and cleanliness of equipment in line with department policies.
To be responsible for the re-ordering, stock checking and replacement of short term loan equipment (e.g. ADL aids), and documentation /information sheets /ward books.
To respond to patient equipment issues, seeking guidance where necessary.
Carry out administrative tasks e.g. telephone calls, collecting medical records, booking home and access visits.
To comply with the Trust and departmental policies regarding prompt recording and reporting of accidents.
Participate in the planning and administration of CPD courses offered to support staff from other department’s and trusts e.g. Speciality specific study day.
To prioritise a delegated patient caseload and manage the ongoing assessment, intervention and evaluation of patients from the caseload without direct supervision.
To anticipate and facilitate discharge planning of delegated patient caseload e.g. ordering and issuing equipment, lead PADL and DADL assessments, liaise with MDT, and make ongoing referrals as appropriate.
Patient/ Client Care - (Factor
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 as well as therapeutic handling techniques.
To apply a basic understanding of the effect of disability and relevant conditions on patients and their environments.
To take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation of referred patients.
To assist nursing staff and therapists as required regarding day to day care of patients, e.g. toileting needs, transfers, maintaining hygienic environment.
To be able to correctly apply various therapeutic aids as appropriate (to aid function) in discussion with the Occupational Therapist, e.g.) splints, braces, plaster shoes, walking aids.
Work with patients in ward settings. Be able to read and interpret monitored information to ensure Patient and Therapist safety during therapy session e.g. BP, HR, NEWS, Hb, Temperature, SaO2 etc.
Read, monitor and safely disconnect / reconnect equipment, knowing when it is acceptable to do so to enable therapeutic treatment to take place in an appropriate setting.
To deliver and install simple aids and equipment in the patient’s home and instruct patients and carers in use of the equipment as appropriate (in line with manufacturers guidelines) and to assess understanding of recipients.
Participate and lead where necessary patient group education sessions routinely eg. Joint school, hip fracture falls group, ward based function groups.
To assess for and prescribe ward based/temporary wheelchairs for appropriate patients along with wheelchair accessories and making necessary adjustments.
To work collaboratively with relevant Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Professionals (e.g. health care assistants, physiotherapy assistants, nursing staff, Social Workers) to assist achievement of patient centred goals and maximising the patient’s potential.
Educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of topics covering Occupational Therapy techniques, e.g. therapeutic positioning, transfers, wheelchair mobility, safe use of OT equipment, hoisting.
To promote safe and timely discharges for Patient’s
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
Person specification
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Completion of Occupational Therapy Band 3 competencies .
2. Good skills in numeracy, literacy and written communication
3. Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification or level or experience
4. At least 6 months previous experience as Occupational Therapy Technician in an acute Adult setting.
5. Experience of access assessments and escorting on home visits
6. Experience of carrying out functional assessments
Desirable criteria
7. 5 GCSE’s Grade A-D (9-3) including English and Maths or Level 1 Functional Skills or equivalent.
8. Good understanding and experience of conditions related to speciality
9. Evidence of own development of knowledge and skills e.g. Portfolio / CPD (continuing professional development)
Skills
Essential criteria
10. Experience working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant or Rehab Assistant
11. Knowledge of roles of other members of the multidisciplinary team
12. Able to work under own initiative
13. Able to plan own workload on a day to day basis
14. Well-developed observation skills and the ability to attend to detail
Desirable criteria
15. Ability to manage conflict situations and know when and how to escalate appropriately.
16. Able to interpret clinical observations in light of OT treatment.
17. Demonstrated experience of holding a caseload.
People Management and Development
Essential criteria
18. Be involved in service objectives and service development
19. Be proactive in own learning, supervision and appraisal
Desirable criteria
20. Ability to highlight concerns regarding service provision to appropriate person
Equality, FDoversoty & inclusion
Essential criteria
21. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
22. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities 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 Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
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 Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications