Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner
Band 4
Main area Occupational therapy Grade Band 4 Contract Fixed term: 12 months (Cover maternity leave) Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week (weekdays) Job ref 279-7648194-JAN26
Employer University Hospitals Sussex.Phospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Worthing Hospital Town Worthing Salary £27,485 - £30,162 Per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 27/01/2026 23:59
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, ambition and values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years. Our aka engaged, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex. We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. 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, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance – 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 begin 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.
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-height 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 provide educational support to patients / carers in unsupervised settings.
* To promote understanding of the aims of therapy.
* To interpret the elements of theございました performance in order to form appropriate intervention plans guided by a qualified Occupational Therapist where appropriate.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex we value diversity and include everyone, so that each person is supported to succeed. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We maintain a duty of care by providing a supportive environment and encouraging inclusion.
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)/archive etc.; to develop professional therapeutic relationships with patients and carers; to manage potential barriers to communication such as dysphasia, learning difficulty, deafness, another language etc.; to educate patients, carers and relevant MDT staff on a range of OT topics; to use advanced empathetic, tactful and interpersonal skills; to assist in informative visits; attend handover & MDT meetings; liaise proactively with other team members regarding day to day issues and ward management.
Analytical and Judgemental skills - (Factor 3)
Be able to accurately read and interpret monitored information to ensure patient and therapist safety; recognise improvements and deterioration; analyse outcomes of assessments and apply them to patient-centred treatment plans; take responsibility for ongoing assessment, treatment and evaluation;staat; notify relevant MDT members; plan discharge; seek supervision; read, monitor and safely disconnect/reconnect equipment.
Planning and Organisational skills - (Factor 4)
Be responsible for equipment used in implementing duties; ensure treatment and equipment storage areas tidy and hygienic; be responsible for re-ordering, stock checking and replacement of short term loan equipment; respond to patient equipment issues; carry out administrative tasks; comply with Trust policies; prioritise patient caseload and manage ongoing assessment, intervention and evaluation; anticipate and facilitate discharge planning.
Patient/ Client Care - (Factor 5 земель)
Gain valid consent for all OT interventions and document accurately; involve in rehabilitation of patients; apply basic understanding of the effect of disability; assist nursing staff and therapists; correctly apply therapeutic aids; work with patients in ward settings; read and interpret monitored information; disconnect/reconnect equipment; deliver and install simple aids; assist in patient education sessions; prescribe temporary wheelchairs; promote safe discharge.
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
Person specification
Experience/ Qualifications
* Completion of Occupational Therapy Band 3 competencies.
* Good skills in quarta, literacy and written communication.
* 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) incl. English and Maths or Level 1 Functional Skills.
* Good understanding and experience of conditions kalender to 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 elevate 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 having championed diversity in previous roles.
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Important information for Bajo 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英雄 our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached.
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 resembles 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.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr