Job summary
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of
the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of
around 600,000 people. We are a high performing organisation with a track
record of success.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Occupational
Therapy Assistant to join our team based
at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, to
support ongoing clinical work across the Durham Dales, Sedgefield and
Darlington areas.
The post holder will deliver face to face Occupational
Therapy interventions for children/ young people and their families under the
guidance of qualified OTs and will be supported by a well-established team
possessing a wealth of clinical expertise and knowledge.
The successful applicant will work with children, young
people and their families in a range of community settings including mainstream
and special schools, as well as community clinical spaces. You will also
provide other general support to the service including clinical admin duties as
required
Prospective candidates will ideally have
experience working with children and young people - particularly those with
additional needs.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant involves the
delivery of Occupational Therapy programmes
and interventions to children and families across CDDFT, with specific
responsibility for the Durham Dales, Sedgefield and Darlington localities.
You will work to support the Occupational Therapists by
following up on programmes and clinical advice for children and young
people. You will also hold your own
small caseload and make clinical decisions within your designated
responsibility. You will work together
with fellow therapy assistants to ensure and maintain high quality services
across the Trust area.
You will work in client's own homes, schools and other
community settings. You will be involved
in the handover and checking of specialist equipment such as seating and
bathing equipment - addressing both health and social care needs on behalf of
the occupational therapy service. You
will have regular supervision and appraisal to support your own CPD.
Other designated roles will include support with
clinical admin, dealing with queries and concerns, providing informal training
to parents and carers and working to develop service improvements on a
continual basis.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years
of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Within this role the post holder will:
- Assist the Occupational Therapy team in the treatment of
children using a range of delegated therapeutic interventions, care packages
and training of others.
- Support
parents/carers/teaching staff by providing information, advice and guidance on
therapeutic activities and strategies
- Manage a small caseload delegated by the Occupational
Therapist, being able to work without direct supervision and being responsible
for assessing progress and reporting back to the therapist.
- Work with children individually or in a group, in a
variety of settings without the direct supervision or presence of a therapist
e.g. in clients home, school,
department
- Encourage children and their parents/carers in an active
approach to support their development and independence skills. This requires empathy, sensitivity, good
interpersonal skills at age appropriate level, and behavioural management
skills when required.
- Use effective communication strategies, both verbal and
non-verbal to communicate with children who may have barriers to understanding
or communication e.g. Children with
developmental delay, sensory loss or impairment, poor levels of understanding,
little or no speech etc
- Contribute and
participate in training and service development activities including planning
and delivery of In-Service training to other assistants, Teaching Assistants
and parents/carers, and provide training to link into induction and elements of
patient care and safety.
- Will monitor the use and condition of all equipment used
as part of treatment programmes and address any issues that arise. Report any defects and actions to the
therapist or other appropriate person.
- Maintain
comprehensive contemporaneous clinical and statistical records in line with
professional and service standards.
- Maintain an accurate electronic diary.
- Maintain up-to-date
knowledge of evidence based practice and incorporate changes as they are
indicated
- Will support, and
aid in departmental developments and support Occupational Therapy students
working within the department.
- Will actively participate in CPD, supervision and Trust
Appraisal Framework
Maintain and update patient caseload on a daily basis,
ensuring visits, discharges, and patient information is accurately recorded
- Maintaining stock of essential and generic equipment
- Provide administrative support where service priorities
indicate.
This may include
- Organising clinic appointments, home and school visits
utilising Systmone to ensure the smooth and effective provision of patient
services.
- Contacting patients and/or carers to arrange or amend
appointments and home visits.
- Maintain and update patient caseload on a daily basis,
ensuring visits, discharges, and patient information is accurately recorded
- Maintaining stock of essential and generic
equipment
Job description
Job responsibilities
Within this role the post holder will:
- Assist the Occupational Therapy team in the treatment of
children using a range of delegated therapeutic interventions, care packages
and training of others.
- Support
parents/carers/teaching staff by providing information, advice and guidance on
therapeutic activities and strategies
- Manage a small caseload delegated by the Occupational
Therapist, being able to work without direct supervision and being responsible
for assessing progress and reporting back to the therapist.
- Work with children individually or in a group, in a
variety of settings without the direct supervision or presence of a therapist
e.g. in clients home, school,
department
- Encourage children and their parents/carers in an active
approach to support their development and independence skills. This requires empathy, sensitivity, good
interpersonal skills at age appropriate level, and behavioural management
skills when required.
- Use effective communication strategies, both verbal and
non-verbal to communicate with children who may have barriers to understanding
or communication e.g. Children with
developmental delay, sensory loss or impairment, poor levels of understanding,
little or no speech etc
- Contribute and
participate in training and service development activities including planning
and delivery of In-Service training to other assistants, Teaching Assistants
and parents/carers, and provide training to link into induction and elements of
patient care and safety.
- Will monitor the use and condition of all equipment used
as part of treatment programmes and address any issues that arise. Report any defects and actions to the
therapist or other appropriate person.
- Maintain
comprehensive contemporaneous clinical and statistical records in line with
professional and service standards.
- Maintain an accurate electronic diary.
- Maintain up-to-date
knowledge of evidence based practice and incorporate changes as they are
indicated
- Will support, and
aid in departmental developments and support Occupational Therapy students
working within the department.
- Will actively participate in CPD, supervision and Trust
Appraisal Framework
Maintain and update patient caseload on a daily basis,
ensuring visits, discharges, and patient information is accurately recorded
- Maintaining stock of essential and generic equipment
- Provide administrative support where service priorities
indicate.
This may include
- Organising clinic appointments, home and school visits
utilising Systmone to ensure the smooth and effective provision of patient
services.
- Contacting patients and/or carers to arrange or amend
appointments and home visits.
- Maintain and update patient caseload on a daily basis,
ensuring visits, discharges, and patient information is accurately recorded
- Maintaining stock of essential and generic
equipment
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel independently across the County to fulfil the requirements of the post.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- High level of written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent non-verbal communication skills
- An empathetic approach to the area of work
- Understanding of child development
- Knowledge of conditions related to children
- Ability to use IT systems to record notes and write reports MS Word
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Ability to work on his/her own initiative
- Ability to work without supervision
- Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality
- Ability to deal courteously and effectively with a wide range of staff, professionals and members of the public
Desirable
- A sound level of understanding of child development and / or impact of disabilities
- Able to work well with a wide range of people
- Ability to use IT programs eg Excel
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children - particularly children with additional needs in a health, education or social care role
Desirable
- Direct experience of working with children with physical and/or learning difficulties / developmental delays in a supportive / therapuetic setting
- or
- Experience of working with an Occupational Therapy team in a related setting eg social care
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of general education minimum of 4 GCSEs or equivalent including English Language
- Educated to at least NVQ Level 3 Child or care related subject level (or working towards)
Desirable
- Experience of working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant - ideally in a setting with children & young people
- Experience in the Use of SystmOne
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel independently across the County to fulfil the requirements of the post.
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- High level of written and verbal communication skills
- Excellent non-verbal communication skills
- An empathetic approach to the area of work
- Understanding of child development
- Knowledge of conditions related to children
- Ability to use IT systems to record notes and write reports MS Word
- Ability to prioritise workload
- Ability to work on his/her own initiative
- Ability to work without supervision
- Ability to use discretion and maintain confidentiality
- Ability to deal courteously and effectively with a wide range of staff, professionals and members of the public
Desirable
- A sound level of understanding of child development and / or impact of disabilities
- Able to work well with a wide range of people
- Ability to use IT programs eg Excel
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children - particularly children with additional needs in a health, education or social care role
Desirable
- Direct experience of working with children with physical and/or learning difficulties / developmental delays in a supportive / therapuetic setting
- or
- Experience of working with an Occupational Therapy team in a related setting eg social care
Qualifications
Essential
- Good standard of general education minimum of 4 GCSEs or equivalent including English Language
- Educated to at least NVQ Level 3 Child or care related subject level (or working towards)
Desirable
- Experience of working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant - ideally in a setting with children & young people
- Experience in the Use of SystmOne
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
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Bishop Auckland General Hospital
Cockton Hill Road
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 6AD
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
