Relief Therapy Assistant Practitioner

About the Organisation

NHS Orkney is committed to delivering excellent care to our 22,000 residents. Whether you’re new to the NHS or bringing experience from elsewhere, your skills will make a real difference.

Our modern healthcare facility, The Balfour, brings together inpatient care, emergency services, outpatient clinics, diagnostics, GP practices and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We’re also investing in services across our outer isles, ensuring high-quality care reaches every corner of Orkney.

We are guided by our core values that shape everything we do – Open and honest, Respect and Kindness – from how we care for our patients to how we support each other as colleagues.

With over 70 islands – 20 of them inhabited – Orkney offers a unique blend of natural beauty, close‑knit community and an opportunity for adventure. From dramatic coastlines and rare wildlife to rich cultural traditions and active lifestyles, it’s a place where compassion thrives and every day brings something new. Regularly named one of the UK’s best places to live, Orkney offers a lifestyle that’s both fulfilling and inspiring.

We are looking for a Therapy Assistant Practitioner to join our integrated team which works across the health and social care partnership. The postholder will work as part of a multidisciplinary therapy team in the Balfour, in intermediate care (Home First, Ageing Well and ICT) in the community and in outpatients. The role will support service‑user discharge from hospital or prevent admission to hospital and facilitate packages of rehabilitation to the Community of Orkney.

Successful candidates will have:

• SVQ III in Health and Social Care or equivalent experience/qualification
• Minimum of 2 years in a health or social care setting working directly with patients/service users
• Understanding the role of rehabilitation and appropriate experience that supports the ethos of the team
• Evidence of participation in education/training relevant to rehabilitation and enablement work
• Good standard of education
• Hold a full current UK driving licence – essential for access to transport and if driving themselves; if an applicant has the qualifications to perform the post but cannot drive, adjustments to arrange transport will be considered

This post will be based at The Balfour
.

Working pattern:
Relief – the post is on a Relief Basis
.

It is a condition of this employment that you must live and remain a resident within the UK for the post in which you will be employed with NHS Orkney.

Did you know NHS Scotland salaries are higher than those in England, Wales and Northern Ireland?

The salary for this post is Band 4 and if residing on Orkney, you’ll also receive a Distant Islands Allowance of £1,657 pro rata per annum, adding extra value to your rewarding career with us.

NHS Orkney also offers an attractive pension scheme, a wide range of work‑life balance policies, an employee assistance programme and various discounts to both local and national retailers.

If you share our vision and are ready to be part of Team Orkney, we’d love to hear from you. Your rewarding career starts here!

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. If there are additional requirements you would like to request, please contact ork.recruitmentt.

For further guidance on the recruitment process and tips for creating a strong application, please refer to our Candidate Application Pack.

To find out more about this opportunity please contact Rona Harcus, Interim Lead Occupational Therapist – Adult Services on  or email:
Rona.harcust.

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.

NHS Orkney is an equal opportunities employer committed to advancing equality and particularly welcomes applications from groups of people currently underrepresented within the workforce. We are a committed participant in the Disability Confident Leader Scheme and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for our vacancies.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third‑party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies.

Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.

Please note this advert may close early if sufficient applications are received.