Therapy Assistant Practitioner - Occupational Therapy
Job Summary
We are excited to offer an opportunity to join our inpatient therapy team at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) as an assistant practitioner. This is an exciting opportunity to apply for a permanent post based with the in-patient Occupational Therapy team at Furness General Hospital (FGH).
Our inpatient therapy team consists of Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants. You will work with the therapy team providing assessment, treatment and therapeutic intervention to maximise patients level of functional ability.
The role will be based in the in-patient team and you will have the opportunity to work alongside the orthopaedic team, working with surgical patients on the elective pathway. There will also be opportunities to work with colleagues on the medical wards.
We are looking for a candidate who is driven and keen to learn. Efficiency and organisational skills are key.
Previous experience as a therapy assistant or assistant practitioner is preferred. However suitable candidates who are not qualified assistant practitioners will be required and supported to complete their training.
Main duties of the job
This post is a permanent post and will sit within the inpatient team and will involve the management of routine elective orthopaedic patients including activity of daily living assessments, assessment and provision of equipment and support with patient flow. The post holder will also have the opportunity to work on the medical and surgical wards.
The role requires the ability to engage in manual handling tasks. The post holder would also access the community and be involved in environmental assessments and follow up visits.
As with any role within the team, cross cover may be required in response to service need.
The post will require the successful candidate to work independently, make clinical decisions and manage a patient caseload.
The post holder will receive formal supervision and annual appraisal to support development in the post. In-service training is provided and training opportunities offered relevant to the post.
Peer support is available from the occupational therapy staff team and the MDT team which includes physiotherapists, nurses and the community integrated therapy staff.
We are a welcoming, close working team who are enthusiastic regarding our work and delivering high level quality patient care.
About Us
We operate from three main hospitals – Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal – as well as a number of community health care premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.
FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.
WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.
All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.
This post will be specifically based at the Furness General Hospital within the inpatient team.
Details
* Date posted: 20 November 2025
* Pay scheme: Agenda for change
* Band: Band 4
* Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year; pro rata
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full-time
* Reference number: 331-B19941125
* Job location: Furness General Hospital, Dalton Lane, Barrow in Furness, LA14 4LF
Person Specification
Essential
* Recent experience of working in an acute, Rehabilitative or community setting as a band 3 or 4 or above
* Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree or equivalent (see entry requirements)
* GCSE Maths/English
Desirable
* Understanding of AHP core skills
* Associate member of the CSP
Essential (Expanded)
* Experience in and awareness of occupational therapy within acute and/or rehabilitation inpatient services
* A knowledge and practical experience of manual handling
* Demonstrate ability to transfer and apply skills from other clinical areas of experience
* Evidence of MDT working and communication
* Evidence of experience in devising problem list and goals
* Evidence of implementation and progressing clinical treatment programmes
Desirable (Expanded)
* Demonstrate the ability to work autonomously
* Demonstrates an understanding of team working
* Demonstrates an understanding of scope of practice and accountability to team leaders
Essential Skills
* To be able to demonstrate evidence of learning and commitment to continuing professional development
* Evidence of team working
Desirable Skills
* To evidence organisational skills
* Demonstrate an understanding of scope of practice
* Ability to travel to provide assessment and treatment to patients in the community
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 to be made for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer Details
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust
Furness General Hospital, Dalton Lane, Barrow in Furness, LA14 4LF
Website: https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk
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