Assistant Practitioner (Occupational Therapy)
Hello!
We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).
We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, ‘I’ve seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.’ We’re on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.
Opportunities for you
Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we’ve got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.
We offer flexible working, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities, or training and development needs and there’s lots on offer in the way of benefits, such as, lease cars, childcare schemes, staff discounts, season tickets for travel and a cycle to work scheme.All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.
- Cultural diversity staff network
- Disabled staff network
- LGBT+ staff network
We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:
- Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Network
- Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
- Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group
We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.
Always improving
CNTW is regulated by the national healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our last two inspections have rated us as an outstanding organisation. We’re always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?
Please note that it is a requirement of this Trust that all external applicants pay for their own DBS certification if a DBS check is required for the post. The method of payment is a salary deduction from your first monthly pay
Job overview
An exciting and rare opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join our well-established Inpatient Occupational Therapy Team at the Carleton Clinic. The role is based predominantly on the female acute ward (Rownawood acute) although you may at times be required to provide interventions across other wards.The ability to work flexibly is therefore essential.
We are ideally looking for someone who has experience of working within mental health services, the knowledge of the impact of mental health on function and an interest to work within this clinical area is required.
The successful applicant will be expected to have the ability to travel extensively across North Cumbria and the North East, transporting service users as part of their care and treatment
We welcome applicants who do not have the specified qualifications to apply, with the agreement that if successful would commence as a band 3 Occupational Therapy Clinical Support Assistant, with the mandatory requirement to complete the relevant qualifications.
If the successful applicant is unable to complete all the requirements successfully, including the apprenticeship, they will be redeployed into a band 3 post within the trust, where a lower banded role is better utilised, or remain in the current service on a lower band or the contract may be terminated.
Please see attached role descriptor for further information
Main duties of the job
To assist in the delivery of care to service users who have a variety of needs, diverse presentations and a range of mental, physical health, neurological conditions, cognitive and/or learning disabilities under the direction of a registered practitioner.The overall responsibility for the service user remains, at all times with the registered practitioner.
They will deliver interventions under supervision and guidance from a registered practitioner and as a lone worker where appropriate undertaking delegated tasks within competency boundaries.
They will actively promote service users health and well- being by planning and delivering therapeutic interventions to promote leisure, social and occupational activities, monitoring of physical health, psychological interventions as appropriate to the clinical area.Therefore providing effective person centred care.
Actively engage with the supervision and appraisal process as identified in the trust policy.
They will where appropriate undertake the on-going supervision and delegation of the routine work of support workers guided by standard operating procedures and protocols.
They will provide compassionate care that is based on empathy, kindness, respect and dignity.
They will support the induction, training, education and assessment of trainee or new assistant practitioners, students and clinical support workers. This may include leading and coordinating a team of support workers.
Working for our organisation
We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please find attached job description for full details.
Advertising date : 14^th April 2026Closing date : 28^th April 2026
We welcome your application.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Foundation degree in applied social studies or alternative (NVQ/BTEC/QCF) with additional training to diploma level equivalent in the speciality field.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills applicable to the post as detailed in the person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working in an appropriate care setting
- Able to follow instructions recognising the boundaries of own competency
- Experience of supervising/teaching individuals
- Previous experience of working in Occupational Therapy
- Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary setting
- Previous experience of working within an mental health inpatient setting
Skills and Competencies
Essential criteria- Ability to use IT system
- Ability to establish a rapport with service users
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Time management skills
- To be able to demonstrate specific theoretical knowledge as described in service role descriptor
- Risk assessment skills
Role/Team specific requirements
Essential criteria- Ability to cope with distressing and emotional situations.
- Enthusiastic and motivated
Personal Characteristics
Essential criteria- Flexible
- Confident
- Reliable
- Innovative and resourceful
Additional requirements
Essential criteria- Able to meet the mobility requirements of the post
Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment. Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed.
Please ensure to check out all of the supporting documents linked to this advert, for useful information about working for us, information from our Chief Executive and much more.