Occupational Therapy Assistant(s) – Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability

Department: Occupational Therapy

Responsible to: Lead Occupational Therapists/Therapy Manager

Salary range:  £25,714 to £26,886 per annum  (dependent on experience)
Incremental reviews take place on an annual basis

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week

Contract type(s): Permanent

Location: Putney, Southwest London

Closing date: 3rd March 2025

Interview Date: 10th March 2025

Benefits:

• Generous Annual Leave entitlement
• Pension scheme
• Blue Light Card and Discounts
• On-site cafeteria
• RHN Wellbeing Programme and EAP service
• RHN Volunteering opportunities

Candidates applying for a role at the Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and Influenza.

Summary of positions and the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability

We are seeking Occupational Therapy Assistants with an interest in the treatment of patients with neuro-disability.  The ideal candidates will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, and have relevant experience of working with people with disabilities. Logical problem solving skills and the ability to cope effectively in difficult situations is essential. Good self-organisational and time management skills, together with an understanding of the purpose of rehabilitation are key requirements of the roles.

 

Working closely with Occupational Therapists and the Multi-Disciplinary Team members, your role will involve assisting within an allocated clinical activities and administrative tasks as directed. There are opportunities on the Neuro-Behavioural Unit and in the Brain Injury Service.

 

We offer you the opportunity to contribute to the continuing development of our services for individuals with complex disabilities. Self-development is encouraged through supportive teamwork, training opportunities and regular supervision.

 

Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN) is one of the oldest independent hospitals and medical charities in the UK. Our vision for the future is that we will be the national centre of excellence for neuro-disability. Our mission is to provide outstanding care and empowering individuals with neuro-disability, enabling them to live their lives to their fullest potential in accordance with their wishes.

We provide person-centred care that focuses on enhancing dignity, independence and quality of life for our patients and residents. Our services span the entire care pathway from post-acute rehabilitation services to end of life care, for people with complex Neuro-disability and their families, underpinned by a strong research and education programme. 

 

Main Objectives of the Roles

The permanent Occupational Therapy Assistant roles will be rotational giving the employee the opportunity to work across our Brain Injury Services and Continuing Care Services.  All roles will involve working as part of a multidisciplinary team, as well as working alongside other services across RHN.

1. Demonstrate an awareness of RHN’s objectives and contribute to achieving them appropriately.
2. Strive to improve efficiency in all areas of your work.
3. To demonstrate the ability to reflect on practice with peers and supervisors, to maintain own knowledge base and to identify own areas for development.
4. Assist Occupational Therapy team to provide specialist therapeutic treatment with allocated patients in variety of mediums and situations.
5. Work under the supervision of a qualified Therapist. 

Key Responsibilities

 

1. Be a full member of the multidisciplinary team, carrying out activities as trained by the therapists, and other professionals within the philosophy of the team.
2. Assist the therapists to undertake the assessment of patients, and provide the appropriate physical management / treatment of patients.
3. The post holder will work in a therapy area (gym, therapy kitchen, art room, computer room, sensory room and hospital grounds) as well as on patient wards as directed by the therapist.
4. To work with the MDT to set up and maintain enriched environments on the wards.
5. To maintain appropriate, accurate and up to date patient records in line with policies and standards in both written and electronic format.
6. Undertake regular health & safety checks of designated area. The post holder will be expected to support the therapy teams by monitoring the equipment available to be used in the therapy areas, reporting any damage, and ensuring equipment is readily available and safe to use.
7. Promote hygiene and infection control through washing and cleaning of equipment, maintaining a tidy and safe area, and managing stocks of linen, etc, and cleaning agents. The post holder will be expected to note shortages of stocks of cleaning agents and order as required.
8. Will undertake unit and departmental administrative tasks to assist in the smooth running of the Occupational therapy service.
9. Take responsibility for own timetabling, liaising with the Occupational Therapy team and relevant MDT members for the designated area ensuring equality of time for all patients.

 

Qualifications & Knowledge

Essential

• English GCSE grade 4 or above, or equivalent.
• Basic understanding of communication difficulties in brain injury and stroke and the impact upon the patient.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Evidence of ability to cope effectively in difficult situations
• Ability to organise work and manage time effectively and independently.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with patient, multi-disciplinary team and with other professionals.
• Competent IT skills.

Desirable

• Attended any relevant training courses for adults with communication disability
• ECDL qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with adults with a disability either in health, social or educational setting.

Desirable

• Evidence of being able to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.

Interested in applying and hearing from us?

Please note we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close this post at any time and will be reviewing applications as they are submitted.

RHN is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer that respects and values the differences of our people to achieve their full potential. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our Resourcing Team at recruitment@rhn.org.uk 

Candidates applying for a role at the Royal Hospital for Neuro Disability are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and Influenza.

RHN is a care provider for vulnerable patients at extreme risk. In consequence, safeguarding patients will always be our highest priority.

RHN is proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer that respects and values the differences of our people to achieve their full potential.