Occupational Therapy Assistant

We are looking for a motivated

individual to support the Occupational Therapy team in delivering

rehabilitation focused care that promotes

independence and safe discharge home.

Under the supervision of qualified

Occupational Therapists, you will manage an allocated caseload and provide

interventions to maximise patients' functional abilities following hospital admission. Responsibilities include reviewing mobility and transfers, completing functional assessments such as wash, dress

and kitchen tasks, and providing

feedback and recommendations to the Occupational Therapy team.

You will assist with therapeutic groups,

complete outcome measures including the DERBY Outcome Measure and Elderly

Mobility Scale, record basic observations and maintain accurate patient

records. The role also involves assessing, providing and reviewing equipment, supporting patients to use equipment safely, and undertaking access and discharge home visits to identify adaptations that promote safety and independence.

You will contribute to discharge planning,

complete referrals to community services with support, communicate effectively

with patients, families and members of the multidisciplinary team, and participate in team meetings.

The successful candidate will also support the development of rehabilitation and healthcare support staff through training, guidance and leadership.

The postholder is responsible for the provision of high quality, individualised personal care and Occupational Therapy rehabilitation programmes to our patients on Caterham Dene Ward, reflecting the philosophy of First Community Health and Care.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will be an integral part of the Caterham Dene Therapy and multi-disciplinary team, supporting the rehabilitation assistants and allocating therapy intervention as well as having their own delegated case load.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant role involves planning and implementing therapeutic activities appropriate to the needs, choices and interests of individuals in our care, under the supervision and guidance of a qualified Occupational Therapist. Full training is given to support and enhance existing skills.

Their role includes completion of basic Occupational Therapy assessments, initial interviews, rehabilitation and OT intervention with patients, in order to increase their functional ability and independence and to enable safe discharge planning including home environment assessments and provision of equipment under the guidance of a qualified clinician / Occupational Therapist.

The team provides a seven day a week rehabilitation service at Caterham Dene Hospital including visiting patients own homes to enable a safe discharge. The Post Holder must have a full driving licence and a car for personal business use during their working day.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification document attached for full details.

First Community is a staff-owned social enterprise, rated

Good by the CQC, providing NHS community services across east Surrey and parts

of West Sussex. We are looking for people who share our values: First-rate

care, First-rate people, First-rate value.

Recognised as one of the country's leading community

healthcare employers in the 2025 NHS Staff Survey, First Community offers a

supportive workplace where everyone has a voice and opportunities to develop

their full potential.

We offer: NHS terms and conditions, excellent training and

development, flexible working, NHS pension, flexible retirement options, and a

range of employee benefits.

If you need flexibility, please talk to us when you apply or

at interview. We will consider all requests carefully and accommodate them

where possible, depending on the role.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds,

including Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, and

candidates with disabilities. We are committed to fair recruitment, including

the consideration of reasonable adjustments.

Sustainability is central to our work as we support the NHS

Net Zero ambition.

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for jobs, and only trust recruitment communications from our published contact

details. Any job advert, recruitment communication or offer can be verified

through the contact details on our website.

Other Requirements

Skills

Desirable: - Able to organise and prioritise own time

Experience

Knowledge

Essential: - Knowledge outcome measures to demonstrate effectiveness of interventions

Desirable: - Knowledge of the roles of other staff groups in health and social care.

Qualifications

Desirable: - NVQ 4 or studying towards CQF diploma level 4 in clinical health care support.; - Trusted Assessor training in equipment and adaptations