Community Assessment Occupational Therapist

Community Assessment Day Occupational Therapist

This role forms part of the Governments Working Well initiative, which aims to reduce health-related worklessness and support individuals to achieve a safe, timely and sustainable return to employment. The post is ideally suited to a highly skilled, self‑employed Occupational Therapist, contributing advanced occupational therapy expertise across two half‑day CAD sessions per month.

To provide specialist community‑based Occupational Therapy assessment and intervention within Community Assessment Days (CAD), supporting individuals who are currently absent from work due to long‑term musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) alongside a Physiotherapist and Social Prescriber, contributing occupational therapy expertise to holistic assessments.

The CAD will be held within community hubs across Newcastle and therefore a full UK driving licence is preferable.

Newcastle GP Services (NGPS) is the GP federation for Newcastle‑upon‑Tyne. We are a member organisation for 28 out of the 29 general practices in Newcastle. We support them to provide excellent clinical care and a positive patient experience.

Our purpose is two‑fold:

• To serve our members by ensuring the voice of primary care is not lost in the health system of Newcastle
• To do things once when it makes sense to do so, rather than 29 times across all practices, or seven times, across all Primary Care Networks

We are a skilled team of non‑clinicians and clinicians with significant experience working in healthcare. Our role is to help practices work at scale across Newcastle, providing targeted and effective patient care and innovative methods of working to improve quality and efficiency.

Primary key responsibilities:

The post holder will be required to:

Undertake specialist occupational therapy assessments for patients attending Community Assessment Days, focusing on functional ability, activities of daily living and work‑related tasks.

Identify occupational, environmental and vocational barriers impacting the patient's ability to return to work.

Work collaboratively with the Physiotherapist and Social Prescriber to contribute to integrated MDT assessment, discussion and care planning.

Develop and contribute to individualised, goal‑oriented plans that support functional recovery, work participation and self‑management.

Provide specialist advice on activity pacing, energy conservation, ergonomic principles and workplace adjustments
.

Support patients to develop confidence, resilience and practical strategies to manage their condition in daily life and work roles.

Maintain clear, accurate and timely clinical documentation and assessment outcomes in line with service, information governance and commissioning requirements.

Work autonomously within agreed service frameworks, demonstrating professional accountability consistent with self‑employed practice
.

Uphold professional standards in line with HCPC, RCOT
, and NHS values.

Contribute to service feedback, evaluation and continuous improvement in support of the Working Well programme
.

• Treating others with empathy and kindness.
• Accountability.
• To ensure confidentiality of information (written, oral and electronic) is preserved at all times whether at or away from work.
• To follow procedures to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
• To support and participate in initiatives to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all.
• To respect, support, contribute to and take personal responsibility for implementing commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity.
• To contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
• To demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development.

Generic responsibilities:

A good attitude and positive action towards Equality, Diversity & Inclusion creates an environment where all individuals can achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons: it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do and it is required by law.

Patients and their…