Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 01 February 2026

Job summary

A warm welcome awaits you to join us at Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (NHFT) as a therapy assistant supporting the occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy staff within the in-patient mental health service on the Berrywood Hospital site in Northampton.

The therapy team work closely alongside nursing staff and the wider multi-disciplinary team to provide quality and effective care for our patients with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and dementia.

Patients are in hospital 24 hours a day and therefore flexible working patterns across the week may be required to meet service need.

Interviews will potentially be conducted 11th and 12th February.

Main duties of the job

You will be working across the in-patient acute mental health wards for adults and/or older people under the direction and support of the occupational therapists and physiotherapists. You will be undertaking assessments and providing individual and group treatments enabling individuals to undertake day to day tasks which may be compromised by their mental and physical health.

The focus of treatments will include aspects such as daily living skills; social skills; mobility and range of movement; balance, strength and endurance; problem solving; confidence and self-esteem. The aim is to enable each individual to re-build (or slow deterioration of) daily living and coping skills to return to independent or supported living that meets their personal goals, quality of life and safety.

If you have existing practical skills and hobbies (for example pottery, woodworking, gardening) that you can use as therapeutic activities with patients, that would be advantageous. Good levels of English (written and verbal) and computer literacy are essential, as well as a positive outlook to promote person centred and recovery focused care.

About us

NHFT is an integrated primary care and mental health Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in both hospital settings and out in the community.

NHFT promotes a culture of learning to improve the care and safety of our patients and staff, which focuses on people who enable our Trust to be 'outstanding' by supporting opportunity, innovation, development and growth.

Date posted

20 January 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

270-TG666-MH

Job locations

Berrywood Hospital

Berrywood Drive

Northampton

NN5 6UD

Job description

Job responsibilities

For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.

You will need an awareness of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, psychosis and dementia and possess skills to positively engage and interact with people from a variety of backgrounds and with differing needs.

You must demonstrate an understanding of the focus of occupational therapy and physiotherapy in enabling individuals to undertake day to day tasks which may be compromised by their mental and physical health.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

GCSE Maths and English or equivalent

Desirable

Additional training (non-mandatory) in relevant area to post/setting
Care certificate

Skills

Essential

Basic knowledge and understanding of the role of occupational therapists and physiotherapists in healthcare
Understanding of mental health problems and impact on daily functioning
Ability to articulate genuine interest in the role, client group and mental health
Ability to highlight relevant skills that meet specific aspects of the Job Description

Desirable

Measuring and fitting of mobility and transfer equipment
Practical / creative / life skills of potential benefit to the service

Experience

Essential

Experience of planning and facilitating an activity or exercise for an individual / a group of people

Desirable

Evidence of working in mental health / healthcare
Worked alongside OT/Physio

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications

Essential

GCSE Maths and English or equivalent

Desirable

Additional training (non-mandatory) in relevant area to post/setting
Care certificate

Skills

Essential

Basic knowledge and understanding of the role of occupational therapists and physiotherapists in healthcare
Understanding of mental health problems and impact on daily functioning
Ability to articulate genuine interest in the role, client group and mental health
Ability to highlight relevant skills that meet specific aspects of the Job Description

Desirable

Measuring and fitting of mobility and transfer equipment
Practical / creative / life skills of potential benefit to the service

Experience

Essential

Experience of planning and facilitating an activity or exercise for an individual / a group of people

Desirable

Evidence of working in mental health / healthcare
Worked alongside OT/Physio

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.