Assistant Practitioner (Occupational Therapy)
The closing date is 28 April 2026
An exciting and rare opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join ourwell-established Inpatient Occupational Therapy Team at the Carleton Clinic. The role is based predominantly on the female acute ward (Rownawood acute) althoughyou may at times be required toprovide interventions across other wards. The ability to work flexibly is therefore essential.
We are ideally looking for someone who has experience of working within mental health services, the knowledge of the impact of mental health on function and an interest to work within this clinical area is required.
The successful applicant will be expected to have the ability to travel extensively across North Cumbria and the North East, transporting service users as part of their care and treatment.
We welcome applicants who do not have the specified qualifications to apply, with the agreement that if successful would commence as a band 3 Occupational Therapy Clinical Support Assistant, with the mandatory requirement to complete the relevant qualifications.
If the successful applicant is unable to complete all the requirements successfully, including the apprenticeship, they will be redeployed into a band 3 post within the trust, where a lower banded role is better utilised, or remain in the current service on a lower band or the contract may be terminated.
Please see attached role descriptor for further information.
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.
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.
Additional requirements
* Able to meet the mobility requirements of the post.
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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