Job summary
- Main area
- Emergency Care Therapy
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 216-LD-C7139625
- Employer
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Derriford Hospital Emergency Department
- Town
- Plymouth
- Salary
- £26,530 - £29,114 Per Annum Pro Rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/05/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner - Emergency Care
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
To perform specific therapeutic (clinical and non-clinical) assessment, treatment and discharge of an identified caseload of patients within Emergency Care, Medical Assessment, Short Stay Ward and Frailty Units as part of the wider Rapid Response Team.
The clinical caseload will be allocated and indirectly supervised by the relevant qualified and Health and Care Professions Council registered Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists within each area.
To conduct outreach visits with patients within their own home, conducting functional assessments, installing equipment and assessing for and providing guidance around minor adaptions.
To undertake all aspects of clinical duties within an agreed protocol within the individuals scope of practice. To ensure competence is gained and retained in all areas in which you practice.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification***
Main duties of the job
Work under the direction of an HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist, performing specific tasks for individuals or groups as part of treatment programs. Follow protocols and competencies for this role and act as the first contact in specific situations.
- Manage patients by assessing needs, developing treatment plans, and reviewing progress.
- Plan and prioritize therapy assessments and case monitoring within competencies, following guidelines.
- Conduct initial discussions, gather information from patients, carers, and IT systems; perform functional, cognitive, mobility, and stair assessments.
- Plan outreach visits, assess patients at home, and provide guidance on equipment, adaptations, and support services while ensuring personal safety.
- Provide equipment, training, and education to patients and families, liaising with carers and agencies for safe discharge or transfer of care.
- Manage own caseload in Emergency Care, assessing and mitigating risks within competencies.
- Screen Emergency Care patients to identify those suitable for further assessment by the Rapid Response Team.
Working for our organisation
We are a people business – where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioner in Emergency Care had roles and responsibilities in areas including, but not limited to, Clinical, Skills and Knowledge, Organisational, Physical Effort, Mental Effort and working conditions. Please see full job description for full list of main responsibilities.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Broad range acute hospital / healthcare setting experience.
- Previous employment / experience working within an OT service at band 3 or above.
- Completed Band 3 Therapy competencies with reflective practice and a portfolio to support this.
- Evidence of Continuous Professional
- Development with reflective practice and a portfolio to support this.
- Experience of lone working.
- Experience of progressing patients function and discharging patients under guidance of a qualified AHP. Reflective practice to support this.
- Experience of working with patients with a variety of conditions and complex social situations / needs with reflective practice to support this.
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
- An awareness of current NHS and Health issues.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge and experience of OT treatment / rehabilitation for patients with trauma or acute illness.
- Knowledge and experience of working with physiotherapists with evidence to support this.
- Evidence of knowledge and experience of working with patients within the emergency care setting.
- Evidence of the ability to identify risks when working in the emergency care environment or in the community setting.
- Experience and understanding of goal setting principles.
- Experience of Audit.
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Foundation Degree or equivalent or Minimum NVQ / diploma in healthcare or equivalent level 3.
Desirable criteria
- Attendance of professional courses applicable to the emergency care setting.
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Legible and concise handwriting.
- Effective Interpersonal and communication skills.
- Professional and patient focussed approach acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time, prioritise and plan timed activities.
- Computer Literate.
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of personal leadership.
- Healthcare values based education and training.
- Evidence of providing training to other colleagues / members of the MDTs.
Disposition/ Attitude/ Motivation
Essential criteria
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Empathetic, calm and reassuring manner
- Team member
- Problem solver
- Ability to recognise own limitations.
- Evidence of working practice in line with current University Hospitals Plymouth NHS trust values.
Desirable criteria
- Flexible
- Assertive
- Self-motivated
- Enthusiastic towards the post.
- Evidence of flexible approach.
- Committed to further study and learning.
Other Factors
Essential criteria
- Ability to work flexibly over 7 days (Some shift work is included in the service rota. Candidate must be available to work these rotas and shifts).
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Eleanor Perret
- Job title
- Team Lead in Emergency Care
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01752452320
List jobs with University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust in Allied Health Professions or all sectors