Occupational Therapy Assistant​/Physiotherapy Assistant

The role combines Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and administrative duties, supporting trauma, plastics and major trauma centre patients across wards in the John Radcliffe Hospital, predominantly in the trauma centre.

• To work flexibly as a key member of the Trauma Therapy team and the wider trauma multidisciplinary team.
• To assist the Therapy team in rehabilitating patients following trauma, polytrauma, spinal, plastics and musculoskeletal injuries that may require orthopaedic, spinal or plastic surgery to optimise patient recovery and outcomes.
• To support patient‑centred rehabilitation to facilitate timely, safe discharge, reflecting individual choice and maximising an individual’s independence.
• To establish and provide holistic interventions for patients without direct supervision, working to establish treatment plans for non‑complex patients, applying appropriate protocols whilst always being accountable to a registered practitioner.
• To accurately record patient information utilising electronic patient records.
• To record and input patient notes and data onto IT systems as required.
• To maintain rehabilitation equipment in the department and wards.
• To support Band 3 therapy assistants.
• To contribute to the trauma therapies team in‑service training programmes.
• To complete the trust’s care certificate and trauma therapies competencies for the role.
• To undertake quality improvement projects and developments within the trauma therapies team.
• To comply with trust policies including annual appraisal and monthly supervision sessions.
• To always uphold and promote trust values.
• To promote and uphold the trust’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy.

We are seeking a candidate with previous NHS healthcare experience who is highly motivated, proactive, enthusiastic and patient‑focused to join us as a Band 4 Therapy Assistant. The successful applicant will have a passion for rehabilitation of patients with traumatic injuries and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a caring, compassionate approach to patient care. This post is ideal for someone who thrives as part of a team but is also able to work independently with guidance and support from others.

• Good written and spoken English.
• Proven educational standard to GCSE in English and Maths (or equivalent).
• Office IT skills.

• IT skills using health‑care platforms.
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training.
• Completed care certificate.
• Demonstrates interest, involvement and experience with research and evidence‑based rehabilitation.
• Attended courses for trauma conditions.
• Experience working autonomously as well as part of a team.
• Experience working with patients individually or in groups.
• Practical and teaching knowledge to NVQ 3 level or equivalent.
• Technical instructor/assistant practitioner training.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Enthusiastic and dynamic with the ability to motivate self and others.
• Ability to manage time effectively to organise workloads.
• Ability to work effectively both in an MDT and autonomously under the direction of others.
• Demonstrated coping strategies to deal with stressful or unpleasant situations.
• Ability to move and handle patients safely.
• Demonstrated ability to manage challenging behaviours.
• Demonstrated ability to approach work challenges flexibly.
• Demonstrated understanding and compliance with Equality and Diversity legislation and policies.
• Demonstrated ability to uphold trust values.

The therapies trauma team works within the specialist surgery ward and trauma unit at the John Radcliffe site; a dedicated unit providing inpatient care to patients with a range of orthopaedic traumatic injuries. The team includes physiotherapists, occupational therapists and therapy assistants who together deliver excellent rehabilitation and post‑operative mobilisation to patients ranging from young adults to the very old. We work closely as a multidisciplinary team with nursing and medical colleagues and maintain an active programme of education, staff support and research.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS…