Occupational Therapy Associate Practitioner

We have a rare and exciting opportunity for a Band 4 Occupational Therapy Associate Practitioner to join our Surgical Therapy Team.
The role involves working alongside occupational therapists and physiotherapists on the Orthopaedics wards to co-ordinate appropriate therapeutic interventions for patients following surgical assessment protocols. The aim of the role is to deliver patient interventions to help support safe and timely discharges from hospital.
Applicants should be able to evidence relevant therapy based competencies (at band Band 3 level or above ideally within the NHS), and have experience of implementing prescribed rehabilitation programmes for patients with a range of conditions. The post holder will require a flexible and adaptable approach as you may be asked to support other clinical teams with the department.
Applicants are required to hold a full UK driving license and have access to a vehicle for work purposes. You will be required to work a shift pattern between the hours of 08:00 – 17:00 and will be expected to participate in 7 day working rota; including weekend and bank holiday shifts.
You would be joining a friendly and supportive department. Your development would be supported and encouraged through a robust competency training programme as well as access to supervision, training and CPD opportunities.
To provide a high standard of therapy intervention service as prescribed by therapy staff and to work independently to complete new patient initial assessments in line with post-surgical protocols (within scope of practice).
To co-ordinate and provide appropriate therapeutic interventions for patients following assessment, under the guidance of a qualified occupational therapist or within set competencies and guidelines.
Perform non-clinical duties such as clerical or housekeeping which aids the efficient running of the department
To participate in departmental 7 day working and Bank Holiday Rota.
Provide support for band 2 Assistants, Band 3 Technical Instructors and students.
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values should be the ‘golden thread’ which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women’s Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our ‘Balance’ programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.
To work primarily with the Surgical Therapy Team which include working across acute and community settings as required. This may involve lone working.
Report to the Band 7 Occupational Therapist in the surgical team.
To communicate effectively with patients to gain informed consent for treatment. Assess patient’s understanding of treatment proposals and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
To work with therapists in planning and facilitating the patient’s progression through the treatment plan, working within protocols or the rehabilitation plan set by the registered therapist to support ward discharge.
To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to deliver a holistic patient-centred approach to care.
To take responsibility for delegated caseload and report outcomes appropriately, including reporting urgent and important information promptly to the appropriate person.
To be responsible for prioritising and planning of own daily programme of work