South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Occupational Therapy Assistant / Support Worker

The closing date is 16 April 2026

Job summary

Please note the Trust are not able to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship for this role as it does not meet the UKVI threshold requirements. Applicants are requested to consider this when making their application. Please visitGov.UKfor further information.

We are looking to recruit a Support Worker into our Acute Stroke and Neuro Rehab inpatient Occupational Therapy(OT) team at Sunderland Royal Hospital. The role in involves carrying-out therapeutic activities and exercises prescribed by the Occupational Therapist (OT) to improve a patient's motor skills, co-ordination, and cognitive function. You would also complete practice of essential self-care tasks such as dressing, bathing, grooming, and meal preparation promoting independence. The Post is part of a busy team of Therapists, and another Support Worker, and is based within a large and friendly Occupational Therapy department. The Team also works closely with our community partners such as the Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team, as part of the hospital discharge planning process. This is a challenging and demanding, but very rewarding, Post with scope for ongoing personal and professional development. All training will be provided, and support and supervision will be provided by your senior team. Pre-Application / interview enquiries and visits are welcome.

Main duties of the job

The Occupational Therapy inpatient teams based at Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside Hospital sit within the Directorate of Therapy Services. You will provide prescribed intervention, practice and assessment for discharge from hospital. Intervention may be carried-out on a one-to-one basis, with a qualified Therapist or within a therapy group setting. Specific training will be provided. You will need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to document patient notes efficiently and effectively. You will need to be able to work well as part of a team and as part of the wider multi-disciplinary team. You must be able to complete patient moving and handling as it is an essential part of the role. Due to the need to sometimes visit patients' homes as part of the discharge planning assessment, you must be able to drive the department vehicles.

Full-time, 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday, and there will be a requirement to work some Bank Holidays as part of a rota.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Date posted

09 April 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£25,272 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9155-CSAHP-0426-26

Job locations

Trust Headquarters

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Sunderland

SR4 7TP

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work as an Occupational Therapy Support Worker to provide elements of therapy assessment in the hospital and community environments, as delegated by Occupational Therapists.

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To work as an Occupational Therapy Support Worker to provide elements of therapy assessment in the hospital and community environments, as delegated by Occupational Therapists.

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Person Specification

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

Basic knowledge of Occupational Therapy assessment procedures appropriate to the role.
Basic knowledge of assistive equipment.
Good verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Good written communication skills.
Able to demonstrate basic analytical & judgemental skills.
Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
Basic IT skills.

Desirable

An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction & achievements.
Intermediate IT skills.

Experience

Essential

Experience of working in the caring field e.g. Support Worker / formal care role.
Evidence of good communication skills within a wide variety of settings.
Evidence of a basic understanding of clinical governance.
Evidence of an understanding of Health & Safety relating to work activities.

Desirable

Evidence of working within multidisciplinary, cross-agency teams.
Previous experience of working as an Occupational Therapy or rehabilitation Assistant.

Physical Skills

Essential

Ability to sit at a work station to complete administrative duties related to the role.
Ability to work in small spaces where there may be a requirement to kneel or bend down.
Ability to exert moderate effort throughout the day.
Ability to assist patients with their mobility.
Ability to participate in moving and handling interventions where there is a need to use equipment such as mobile hoists.
Ability to drive the Department vehicles and meet the travel requirements of the role.

Qualifications

Essential

Literacy and Numeracy to Level 2.

Desirable

Evidence of attendance at Courses relevant to the role.

Person Specification

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

Basic knowledge of Occupational Therapy assessment procedures appropriate to the role.
Basic knowledge of assistive equipment.
Good verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Good written communication skills.
Able to demonstrate basic analytical & judgemental skills.
Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
Basic IT skills.

Desirable

An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction & achievements.
Intermediate IT skills.

Experience

Essential

Experience of working in the caring field e.g. Support Worker / formal care role.
Evidence of good communication skills within a wide variety of settings.
Evidence of a basic understanding of clinical governance.
Evidence of an understanding of Health & Safety relating to work activities.

Desirable

Evidence of working within multidisciplinary, cross-agency teams.
Previous experience of working as an Occupational Therapy or rehabilitation Assistant.

Physical Skills

Essential

Ability to sit at a work station to complete administrative duties related to the role.
Ability to work in small spaces where there may be a requirement to kneel or bend down.
Ability to exert moderate effort throughout the day.
Ability to assist patients with their mobility.
Ability to participate in moving and handling interventions where there is a need to use equipment such as mobile hoists.
Ability to drive the Department vehicles and meet the travel requirements of the role.

Qualifications

Essential

Literacy and Numeracy to Level 2.

Desirable

Evidence of attendance at Courses relevant to the role.

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.