Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Rotational Occupational Therapy Assistant

The closing date is 18 September 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Occupational Therapy Assistant rotation.

Staff participate in 6 monthly rotations, upskilling in different clinical specialties and exploring new learning opportunities. Rotational areas include general medicine, care of the elderly, elective and trauma orthopaedics, neurology and surgery.

As a Trust we're committed to supporting the education and development of our staff. There are regular peer support meetings, teaching, and clinical learning frameworks to support specialty learning. We also support applications for substantive staff to complete the Occupational Therapy Degree Apprenticeship where appropriate.

Main duties of the job

To provide a high standard of care as part of the Occupational Therapy Service working within agreed pathways, but without direct supervision:

To manage and prioritise designated caseload, working without direct supervision, carrying out assessment and treatment planning of patients who have not previously been assessed by a qualified therapist. However, a qualified therapist will always be available for advice and guidance when necessary.

To hold a defined area of responsibility within the team.

To deliver and fit equipment in patients' homes and instruct them in its safe use.

To carry out Access assessment visits to patients' homes either alone or with another member of staff.

To carry out Home Visits as the '2nd person'.

To carry out administrative duties within the department to support the Occupational Therapy service

Please see the attached Job Description for full details.

About us

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities.

If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all of our staff are double vaccinated against COVID-19, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and our patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.

Date posted

12 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£26,240 to £27,928 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

252-7394879

Job locations

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Job description

Job responsibilities

General responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

Education and development responsibilities

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, please see the detailed job description and person specification for further information.

Job description

Job responsibilities

General responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

Education and development responsibilities

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, please see the detailed job description and person specification for further information.

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

Education to NVQ Level 3 or equivalent or relevant working experience
Good general education to GCSE level or equivalent level
Good level of numeracy
Good spoken and written English
Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Relevant knowledge of Occupational Therapy
Awareness of data protection and confidentiality requirements within a hospital environment
Ability to deal effectively with colleagues and outside bodies
Ability to prioritise and organise own workload
Ability to work under pressure and balance conflicting priorities
Good communication skills and ability to liaise with patients and staff at all levels
Good computer skills
Ability to pass own knowledge onto others
Ability to work on own initiative as well as within a multidisciplinary team
Able to work as part of a team Clerical skills

Desirable

oKnowledge and experience of using a variety of moving and handling equipment

Experience

Essential

Previous NHS experience/experience of disability/working in a therapy environment
Experience of working in face to face contact with the general public
Experience of self-directed working and ability to prioritise tasks
Experience of managing own workload without direct supervision to ensure deadlines and standards are met
Ability to work under pressure

Desirable

oPrevious admin experience

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

Education to NVQ Level 3 or equivalent or relevant working experience
Good general education to GCSE level or equivalent level
Good level of numeracy
Good spoken and written English
Evidence of CPD maintained in a portfolio

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Relevant knowledge of Occupational Therapy
Awareness of data protection and confidentiality requirements within a hospital environment
Ability to deal effectively with colleagues and outside bodies
Ability to prioritise and organise own workload
Ability to work under pressure and balance conflicting priorities
Good communication skills and ability to liaise with patients and staff at all levels
Good computer skills
Ability to pass own knowledge onto others
Ability to work on own initiative as well as within a multidisciplinary team
Able to work as part of a team Clerical skills

Desirable

oKnowledge and experience of using a variety of moving and handling equipment

Experience

Essential

Previous NHS experience/experience of disability/working in a therapy environment
Experience of working in face to face contact with the general public
Experience of self-directed working and ability to prioritise tasks
Experience of managing own workload without direct supervision to ensure deadlines and standards are met
Ability to work under pressure

Desirable

oPrevious admin experience

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

Address

Darent Valley Hospital

Darenth Wood Road

Dartford

DA2 8DA

Employer's website

https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)