Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Practitioner (Occupational Therapy)

The closing date is 21 April 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join our Rehabilitation Inpatient Occupational Therapy Team at Willow View and Elm House. The ability to work flexibly is therefore essential.

The successful candidate will be working with patients to provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention on and off the ward. You will assist the Occupational Therapists to plan, design and deliver interventions within the objectives of the treatment plan. In addition to 1:1 interventions you will have an active role in the provision of group activity sessions. You will be involved in the gathering of information from carers, relatives and the wider MDT, attending meetings and providing feedback from an Occupational Therapy perspective.

You will require the ability to work autonomously, implement and follow care plans, which have been developed in collaboration with service users, families/carers, and inpatients staff. You will need to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and organisational skills, be IT literate and have a flexible approach to the role. You will have responsibility of liaising with appropriate organisations promoting patient community links with social groups, charities, vocational work etc.

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.

Details

Date posted

03 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

263-ICG26-013-MG

Job locations

St Nicholas Hospital

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE3 3XT


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 3rd March 2026

Closing date : 22nd April 2026

We welcome your application.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 3rd March 2026

Closing date : 22nd April 2026

We welcome your application.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 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

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in an appropriate care setting
  • Able to follow instructions recognising the boundaries of own competency
  • Experience of supervising/teaching individuals

Desirable

  • 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

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with individuals with communication difficulties
  • Experience of group and 1:1 activity facilitation

Skills and Competencies

Essential

  • Ability to use IT system
  • Ability to establish a rapport with service users
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Time management skills
  • To be able to demonstrate specific theoretical knowledge as described in service role descriptor

Desirable

  • Risk assessment skills

Role/Team specific requirements

Essential

  • Ability to cope with distressing and emotional situations.
  • Enthusiastic and motivated

Personal Characteristics

Essential

  • Flexible
  • Confident
  • Reliable

Desirable

  • Innovative and resourceful
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • 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

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in an appropriate care setting
  • Able to follow instructions recognising the boundaries of own competency
  • Experience of supervising/teaching individuals

Desirable

  • 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

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with individuals with communication difficulties
  • Experience of group and 1:1 activity facilitation

Skills and Competencies

Essential

  • Ability to use IT system
  • Ability to establish a rapport with service users
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Time management skills
  • To be able to demonstrate specific theoretical knowledge as described in service role descriptor

Desirable

  • Risk assessment skills

Role/Team specific requirements

Essential

  • Ability to cope with distressing and emotional situations.
  • Enthusiastic and motivated

Personal Characteristics

Essential

  • Flexible
  • Confident
  • Reliable

Desirable

  • Innovative and resourceful

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 details

Employer name

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Nicholas Hospital

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE3 3XT


Employer's website

https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St Nicholas Hospital

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE3 3XT


Employer's website

https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

AHP AD Central Inpatients

Heather Tongue

heather.tongue@cntw.nhs.uk

01912468691

Details

Date posted

03 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum

Contract

Secondment

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

263-ICG26-013-MG

Job locations

St Nicholas Hospital

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE3 3XT


Supporting documents

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