Job summary
We are delighted to offer an Occupational Therapy Assistant position in the Occupational Therapy team.
Occupational Therapy is a rewarding career which requires a highly developed knowledge and professional skill-set to enable you to work across a range of settings and environments.
Within Addenbrookes Hospital Occupational Therapists work across a broad range of specialisms including Elderly Care, Medicine, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Stroke, Neurosciences, Major Trauma, Surgery and Oncology, Hand Therapy, Rheumatology and Pain.
We see patients from all different ages and backgrounds from young children to end of life. Occupational Therapists work to facilitate a patient's discharge from hospital through enabling patients to maintain or improve their functional ability. In outpatients Occupational Therapists support patients to maintain their independence through, education, practical techniques and advice or devices, and splinting.
Main duties of the job
Occupational Therapy Assistants will work under the supervision and guidance of a qualified Occupational Therapist.
You will carry out patient treatments and deliver goal plans set following assessment by an Occupational Therapist. This will include working on patients' performance in completing or participating in activities of daily living. You will work closely with the Occupational Therapists and other members of the team in enabling patients to maintain or improve their function.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
The advert will close at midnight on 26th August 2025.
Interviews are due to be held week commencing 3rd September 2025.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
The advert will close at midnight on 26th August 2025.
Interviews are due to be held week commencing 3rd September 2025.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
Desirable
- Relevant other qualification, e.g. NVQ Level II/III in Healthcare
Experience
Essential
- Working in health / caring setting
- Working as a team member
- Working with indirect supervision
- Experience of IT packages and email
Desirable
- Working with individuals with a disability / illness including assisting with personal care activities
- Working with occupational therapists
- Working in project groups on service development
- Contribution to the development of a learning environment
- Working with video conferencing platforms
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the role of confidentiality within healthcare
- Understanding of customer service
Desirable
- Knowledge of physical disability
- Knowledge of how to use adaptive equipment to help those with physical disability
- Knowledge of the Trust priorities
- Knowledge of the role of occupational therapy
- Knowledge of clinical governance and risk management
- Evidence of participation in personal / professional development activities
Skills
Essential
- Ability to use a range of communication skills including, but not limited to, building rapport, persuasion, motivation, explanation, education
- Ability to follow instructions/directions regarding tasks assigned
- Good observation skills
- Able to report on patient related activities accurately both verbally and in writing
- Skills in managing work pressures
- Able to effectively organise own time
- Seek guidance appropriately
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to use computer software effectively
Desirable
- Dealing with inappropriate behaviour
- Able to adjust style of communication for those with communication difficulties e.g. hearing loss, emotional distress, impaired vision
- Managing resources, e.g. equipment stock levels
- Basic IT skills including the use of Microsoft office and e-mail
- Service promotion
- Skilled in moving and handling patients
- Co-leading group work sessions/working with people in a groupwork setting
- Giving patient education/ self management advice
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
- Ability to complete hands on moving and handling tasks with patients
- Ability to deal with transport of patient and equipment for home assessments and throughout the hospital
- Able to work during weekends and Bank Holidays
- Willingness to change work team to suit service needs
- Professional attitude and appearance
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent
Desirable
- Relevant other qualification, e.g. NVQ Level II/III in Healthcare
Experience
Essential
- Working in health / caring setting
- Working as a team member
- Working with indirect supervision
- Experience of IT packages and email
Desirable
- Working with individuals with a disability / illness including assisting with personal care activities
- Working with occupational therapists
- Working in project groups on service development
- Contribution to the development of a learning environment
- Working with video conferencing platforms
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the role of confidentiality within healthcare
- Understanding of customer service
Desirable
- Knowledge of physical disability
- Knowledge of how to use adaptive equipment to help those with physical disability
- Knowledge of the Trust priorities
- Knowledge of the role of occupational therapy
- Knowledge of clinical governance and risk management
- Evidence of participation in personal / professional development activities
Skills
Essential
- Ability to use a range of communication skills including, but not limited to, building rapport, persuasion, motivation, explanation, education
- Ability to follow instructions/directions regarding tasks assigned
- Good observation skills
- Able to report on patient related activities accurately both verbally and in writing
- Skills in managing work pressures
- Able to effectively organise own time
- Seek guidance appropriately
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to use computer software effectively
Desirable
- Dealing with inappropriate behaviour
- Able to adjust style of communication for those with communication difficulties e.g. hearing loss, emotional distress, impaired vision
- Managing resources, e.g. equipment stock levels
- Basic IT skills including the use of Microsoft office and e-mail
- Service promotion
- Skilled in moving and handling patients
- Co-leading group work sessions/working with people in a groupwork setting
- Giving patient education/ self management advice
Additional Requirements
Essential
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
- Ability to complete hands on moving and handling tasks with patients
- Ability to deal with transport of patient and equipment for home assessments and throughout the hospital
- Able to work during weekends and Bank Holidays
- Willingness to change work team to suit service needs
- Professional attitude and appearance
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).