Occupational Therapy Assistant in Brighton

Seaside View Children's Occupational Therapy team is offering an exciting opportunity for an individual who is enthusiastic and passionate about promoting children and young people's independence and functioning in their daily occupations. You will work within clinic settings, nurseries, mainstream and special schools. You will help run groups, deliver individual therapy to children, educate families and other professionals who support children. This post will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to work within a supportive team of experienced therapists and apprentices, providing a high quality assessment and intervention service to children aged 0-19 years, who have a variety of conditions, including Cerebral Palsy, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Coordination Disorder, learning difficulties and complex physical/learning difficulties.

Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Main duties of the job:

• To carry out delegated tasks, monitor and review progress, and adjust activities within set criteria using clinical judgement.
• To provide treatment programmes to clients on an individual or group basis.
• To report and document variances in a patient's condition or planned pathway of care.
• To participate in skill sharing and acquisition of clinical competencies, in line with the competency frameworks.
• To support the smooth running of the team, which may include supporting with administrative tasks.
• To work effectively as a team member in providing and facilitating a high standard of care at all times.
• To obtain valid informed consent and work within the legal framework for patients who lack capacity.
• To carry out delegated tasks, report on clients' progress, and document interventions and outcomes.
• To recognise clinical risk in own caseload and to others, seeking guidance from senior colleagues when needed.
• Work in line with the SCFT lone worker policy where lone working is integral to the role.
• To demonstrate a basic understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and its application to your work.
• To be responsible for competent use and maintenance of equipment relevant to service area to when working directly with patients.
• To undertake any other duties, in line with the grade, as may be deemed necessary by registered staff.

About us:

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays. Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?

• Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing.
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex.
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi‑time, annualised hours, and flexi‑retirement.
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities.
• Accredited Living Wage Employer, we ensure fair pay for all our staff.
• Cost‑effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton.
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks.
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust.

Our values Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence guide everything we do. We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment. This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job responsibilities:

• To be responsible and accountable for all aspects of your delegated work including the management of patients in your care.
• To organise your delegated caseload on a day to day basis effectively and efficiently with regard to priorities and use of time.
• To review and reflect on your own practice through regular participation in clinical supervision and annual appraisal with nominated supervisor, as per Trust policy.
• To be responsible for maintaining and developing own competency to practice in line with agreed PDP through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.
• To participate in continuing professional development activities individually and as part of the service ensuring own personal development.
• To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives in line with the Calderdale framework.
• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
• To participate as necessary in service development, service audit and outcome measurement to ensure the provision of evidence‑based practice.
• To build professional rapport with patients and their families, communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture, ensuring that they are involved in and informed about their care.
• To use effective communication skills to encourage patients to participate in treatment, adapting approach to meet diverse needs of client group, seeking guidance from colleagues where necessary.
• To always maintain confidentiality and dignity and ensure peoples equality and diversity needs are supported.
• To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other members of the team regarding patients status, reporting back to the registered clinician, providing verbal or written feedback as appropriate.
• To report effectively to the team/ registered staff member on patients progress and performance in relation to the patient goals.
• To attend patient‑related multi‑disciplinary meetings as directed by registered staff.
• To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up‑to‑date patient‑related documentation including electronic patient records, where appropriate.

Person Specification:

Qualifications and/or professional registration:

• NVQ3 or equivalent level of knowledge.
• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent.

Experience:

• At least 12 months experience of working in a caring environment, either in health, social or voluntary services.
• Literacy and numeracy.
• Excellent verbal communication and ability to build rapport.
• Ability to follow detailed instruction.
• Able to give instructions to people that can be followed and easily interpreted.
• Ability to work as an effective member of a team.
• Commitment to professional development and attainment of competencies.
• Ability to understand work related boundaries and refer matters of importance to a senior colleague.
• Basic understanding of statutory health and social services.
• Experience of working within a rehabilitation or therapy setting.
• Basic level of theoretical knowledge relevant to clinical setting.
• Knowledge of a range of work procedures and practices gained through experience.

Other requirements:

• Ability to travel cost efficiently across the catchment area.
• 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.