Job summary
We are seeking a motivated Part-Time Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our rehabilitation team at Caterham Dene Hospital. This is an exciting opportunity to support patients in maximising their independence and achieving their rehabilitation goals.

Working under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist, you will assist in planning and delivering therapeutic activities tailored to individual needs, interests and rehabilitation goals. Full training and ongoing support will be provided.

Our multidisciplinary team delivers a seven-day rehabilitation service within the hospital and in patients' own homes, supporting safe and effective discharge planning. Applicants must hold a full driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work-related travel during the working day.

We are committed to providing high-quality patient care while creating a supportive and positive working environment for staff. We offer excellent clinical support, training and development opportunities, and the chance to further develop your skills within an innovative and forward-thinking service. Staff wellbeing is a priority, with access to a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme.

We actively encourage staff to contribute ideas that support service improvement and innovation, helping us continually enhance the rehabilitation experience for our patients.

Main duties of the job
We are looking for a motivated individual to support the Occupational Therapy team in delivering rehabilitation focused care that promotes independence and safe discharge home.

Under the supervision of qualified Occupational Therapists, you will manage an allocated caseload and provide interventions to maximise patients' functional abilities following hospital admission. Responsibilities include reviewing mobility and transfers, completing functional assessments such as wash, dress and kitchen tasks, and providing feedback and recommendations to the Occupational Therapy team.

You will assist with therapeutic groups, complete outcome measures including the DERBY Outcome Measure and Elderly Mobility Scale, record basic observations and maintain accurate patient records. The role also involves assessing, providing and reviewing equipment, supporting patients to use equipment safely, and undertaking access and discharge home visits to identify adaptations that promote safety and independence.

You will contribute to discharge planning, complete referrals to community services with support, communicate effectively with patients, families and members of the multidisciplinary team, and participate in team meetings. The successful candidate will also support the development of rehabilitation and healthcare support staff through training, guidance and leadership.

About us
First Community is a staff-owned social enterprise, rated Good by the CQC, providing NHS community services across east Surrey and parts of West Sussex. We are looking for people who share our values: First-rate care, First-rate people, First-rate value.

Recognised as one of the country's leading community healthcare employers in the 2025 NHS Staff Survey, First Community offers a supportive workplace where everyone has a voice and opportunities to develop their full potential.

We offer: NHS terms and conditions, excellent training and development, flexible working, NHS pension, flexible retirement options, and a range of employee benefits.

If you need flexibility, please talk to us when you apply or at interview. We will consider all requests carefully and accommodate them where possible, depending on the role.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, and candidates with disabilities. We are committed to fair recruitment, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments.

Sustainability is central to our work as we support the NHS Net Zero ambition.

To stay safe online, only use our website to find and apply for jobs, and only trust recruitment communications from our published contact details. Any job advert, recruitment communication or offer can be verified through the contact details on our website.

Job responsibilities
The postholder is responsible for the provision of high quality, individualised personal care and Occupational Therapy rehabilitation programmes to our patients on Caterham Dene Ward, reflecting the philosophy of First Community Health and Care.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will be an integral part of the Caterham Dene Therapy and multi-disciplinary team, supporting the rehabilitation assistants and allocating therapy intervention as well as having their own delegated case load.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant role involves planning and implementing therapeutic activities appropriate to the needs, choices and interests of individuals in our care, under the supervision and guidance of a qualified Occupational Therapist. Full training is given to support and enhance existing skills.

Their role includes completion of basic Occupational Therapy assessments, initial interviews, rehabilitation and OT intervention with patients, in order to increase their functional ability and independence and to enable safe discharge planning including home environment assessments and provision of equipment under the guidance of a qualified clinician / Occupational Therapist.

The team provides a seven day a week rehabilitation service at Caterham Dene Hospital including visiting patients own homes to enable a safe discharge. The Post Holder must have a full driving licence and a car for personal business use during their working day.

Please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification document attached for full details.

Person Specification
Other Requirements
Essential

• Car owner/driver essential
• Willingness to learn new skills, to adapt positively to changes in working practices and patterns.
• Able to work flexibly in order to provide personal care and support to patients, sometimes at short notice.

Skills
Essential

• Good communication skills and interpersonal skills, including an ability to build rapport and establish good one to one relationships
• Ability to organise own time efficiently
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and to maintain a positive team-working relationship by valuing the contributions of other team members, understand others needs, using a flexible approach, handling conflict positively in an open and constructive manner.
• Able to work independently following spoken or written instructions
• I.T skills with good knowledge and application of Microsoft Office applications
• Able to balance risk to inform decision making

Desirable

• Able to organise and prioritise own time

Experience
Essential

• Previous experience of caring for someone who was elderly, disabled or ill.
• Previous experience of rehabilitation
• Experience of working within a therapy service or other relevant field. This may include voluntary as well as paid experience.
• Experience of working in a community setting

Desirable

• Previous experience of rehabilitation including Occupational Therapy intervention.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Supervision of staff
• Experience of using virtual communication platforms, i.e.MS Teams, Zoom
• Contributing to improving services
• Previous NHS Experience

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge outcome measures to demonstrate effectiveness of interventions

Desirable

• Knowledge of the roles of other staff groups in health and social care.

Qualifications
Essential

• NVQ 3 or studying towards CQF diploma level 3 in clinical health care support or equivalent relevant qualification.
• Good general knowledge and education to GCSE standard or equivalent relevant standard

Desirable

• NVQ 4 or studying towards CQF diploma level 4 in clinical health care support.
• Trusted Assessor training in equipment and adaptations

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.