University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner

The closing date is 01 October 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a Band 3/4 Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner at The Donald Wilson Neuro Rehab Centre St. Richard's Hospital Chichester. This post is being advertised as a B3 to B4 progression post in order that potential candidates with previous experience in health and social care can be supported to progress through local competencies to a B4 level.

Under the general supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist, the successful applicant will apply technical and creative skills in the provision of a flexible, patient centered programme of Occupational Therapy assessments and treatments and provide skilled and insightful assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of specific designated clinical caseload, according to treatment protocols to maximise their function and independence.

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 undertake delegated projects.

To provide educational support to patients / carers in unsupervised settings.

To promote understanding of the aims of therapy.

To interpret the elements of the patient performance in order to form appropriate intervention plans guided by a qualified Occupational Therapist where appropriate.

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

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 ourWellbeing 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 start 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.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Date posted

17 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

279-7464156-SEP25

Job locations

St. Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please read the attached Job descriptions and ensure you detail your experience alongside the person specification. Candidates will start as a B3 and progress to B4 only once local competencies have been obtained.

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Person Specification

Skills and Experience

Essential

At least 3 months experience working in OT in Acute Hospital Setting
Experience of communicating with patients, relatives and the MDT.
Ability to work autonomously with seeking support when required. Demonstrated ability to have an empathetic approach to those in their care.
Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Desirable

Full UK driving licence
Able to interpret clinical observations in light of OT treatment
Ability to construct basic spreadsheets and presentations

Experience/ Qualification

Essential

Completion of Occupational Therapy B3 competencies, Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification or level of experience (AF)
Good skills in numeracy, literacy and written communication

Desirable

5 GCSE's Grade A-D (9-3) including English and Maths or Level 1 Functional Skills or equivalent. (AF) Evidence of own development of knowledge and skills e.g. Portfolio / CPD (continuing professional development) (I)
Basic understanding of anatomy and Physiology.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

Person Specification

Skills and Experience

Essential

At least 3 months experience working in OT in Acute Hospital Setting
Experience of communicating with patients, relatives and the MDT.
Ability to work autonomously with seeking support when required. Demonstrated ability to have an empathetic approach to those in their care.
Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Desirable

Full UK driving licence
Able to interpret clinical observations in light of OT treatment
Ability to construct basic spreadsheets and presentations

Experience/ Qualification

Essential

Completion of Occupational Therapy B3 competencies, Health care related qualification at NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification or level of experience (AF)
Good skills in numeracy, literacy and written communication

Desirable

5 GCSE's Grade A-D (9-3) including English and Maths or Level 1 Functional Skills or equivalent. (AF) Evidence of own development of knowledge and skills e.g. Portfolio / CPD (continuing professional development) (I)
Basic understanding of anatomy and Physiology.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

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

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St. Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

St. Richard's Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE

Employer's website

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