Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a Band 4 Specialist Occupational Therapy Support Worker with expert knowledge in the management of patients with Palliative and End of Life Care needs.
The role aims to encourage and enable patients with progressive life limiting illness, to maintain function and live as independently as possible, with a sense of dignity and comfort. Offering those close to them the opportunity of support.
We are looking for a caring, proactive, motivated and compassionate individual whose values are aligned to those of Hywel Dda University Health Board, to support the Occupational Therapists in working across Carmarthenshire, hospice and community settings, and will confidently work both as part of a team and autonomously.
Ideally you will have experience of working with patients with a number of complex conditions and varying needs.
You will also have experience of using highly skilled handling techniques to facilitate patient movement, and/or rehabilitation.
Main duties of the job
The successful applicant will have the support of an occupational therapy service which values supervision, actively encourages staff to develop personally and professionally, and is committed to excellent patient care and service improvement.
You should be able to demonstrate clinical reasoning skills to enable you to assess and treat patients within protocols, without immediate direct supervision. Our team is dynamic and friendly. We actively support and encourage staff to develop personally and professionally through clinical supervision and training.
In applying for this post you should have a relevant Level 3 qualification or equivalent plus a broad range of experience working in a therapy service or equivalent field.
The ability to travel within the community is essential for this post.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.
We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.
We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.
Our services are provided in:
- Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
- Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
- Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
- 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
- Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Interviews will be held on 5/9/2025
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Interviews will be held on 5/9/2025
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of level 3 qualification relevant to workplace OR other equivalent training, qualifications or experience.
- Level 4 experience with a willingness to complete relevant Level 4 qualification within a specified timescale after successful appointment
- Good knowledge of Occupational Therapy through acquired experience and/ or training
- Numeracy and literacy to at least Level 2 (GCSE level grade c or above)
- IT Skills with good knowledge and application of Microsoft Office applications
- Working knowledge of therapeutic equipment
- Knowledge of the roles of other staff groups in health and social care
Desirable
- Trusted Assessor training in equipment and adaptations
- Evidence of role related CPD activities
- Knowledge of a range of rehabilitation interventions across all therapies
- Knowledge of Clinical Governance, including research and audit.
- Knowledge of relevant outcome measures to demonstrate effectiveness of interventions
- Knowledge of Health board and priorities and practices
Experience
Essential
- Broad range of experience working within a therapy service or other relevant field. This may include voluntary as well as paid experience
- Working as part of a team
- Managing own time and prioritising activities
- Use of adapted techniques for improving patient independence
- Contributing to improving services
- Self-development and learning
- Working with a variety of people with differing needs
- Working independently
Desirable
- Experience of working in a community setting
- Experience of coping independently with distressing or emotional situations in challenging work environments
- Experience of working with groups
- Supervision of staff
- Experience of using Motivational interviewing or solutions focused interventions
- Experience of using virtual communication platforms i.e. skype, Teams or Zoom.
Other
Essential
- Able to travel to deliver service, including between sites in a timely manner
- Flexible approach to needs of the service
Language Skills
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of level 3 qualification relevant to workplace OR other equivalent training, qualifications or experience.
- Level 4 experience with a willingness to complete relevant Level 4 qualification within a specified timescale after successful appointment
- Good knowledge of Occupational Therapy through acquired experience and/ or training
- Numeracy and literacy to at least Level 2 (GCSE level grade c or above)
- IT Skills with good knowledge and application of Microsoft Office applications
- Working knowledge of therapeutic equipment
- Knowledge of the roles of other staff groups in health and social care
Desirable
- Trusted Assessor training in equipment and adaptations
- Evidence of role related CPD activities
- Knowledge of a range of rehabilitation interventions across all therapies
- Knowledge of Clinical Governance, including research and audit.
- Knowledge of relevant outcome measures to demonstrate effectiveness of interventions
- Knowledge of Health board and priorities and practices
Experience
Essential
- Broad range of experience working within a therapy service or other relevant field. This may include voluntary as well as paid experience
- Working as part of a team
- Managing own time and prioritising activities
- Use of adapted techniques for improving patient independence
- Contributing to improving services
- Self-development and learning
- Working with a variety of people with differing needs
- Working independently
Desirable
- Experience of working in a community setting
- Experience of coping independently with distressing or emotional situations in challenging work environments
- Experience of working with groups
- Supervision of staff
- Experience of using Motivational interviewing or solutions focused interventions
- Experience of using virtual communication platforms i.e. skype, Teams or Zoom.
Other
Essential
- Able to travel to deliver service, including between sites in a timely manner
- Flexible approach to needs of the service
Language Skills
Desirable
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).
