Occupational Therapy Assistant (Specified Purpose Contract)

**Job Title: 1.0 WTE Occupational Therapy Assistant (****Specified Purpose Contract)**

**Reference No: 03.017 (2026)**

**Department / Directorate: Occupational Therapy, COO Directorate**

**Reports to: Occupational Therapy Manager or Deputy**

Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) is a model 4, voluntary, academic teaching hospital partnered with Trinity College and situated in south west Dublin. With a staff of over 4,000 people from 63 different countries, it provides both acute and tertiary care to an increasing population of circa 800,000 people and is a provider of local, regional and national specialties. It is also a National Urology Centre, the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country, Pelvic and Acetabulum National Centre and a designated Trauma Unit.

The Hospital is part of the newly established HSE Dublin & Midlands Region, which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties, and operates under the governance of an independent Board of Directors who give their time on a voluntary basis. TUH is also supported by the Adelaide Health Foundation, the Meath Foundation and Tallaght University Hospital Foundation.

TUH recognises the role it plays in our community both as an employer and provider of healthcare and is committed to building a sustainable future for our region both now and into the future with a focus on patient outcomes.

The Hospital is ambitious, recognising that healthcare delivery is undergoing seismic change and will be different now and into the future, largely due to digital and technological advances along with research continuing to discover and test new treatment options. TUH wants to be a leader in determining that future. It is a *“Hospital without Walls”* always looking to optimise care both within and beyond in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time whilst empowering our patients and staff.

**TUH Vision and Values**

The vision of the Hospital is “*People Caring for People to Live Better Lives”* through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment. A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.

Our **TUH CARE** values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are:

• **C**ollaborate – together and with our academic and care partners
• **A**chieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeing
• **R**espect – for patients, each other and our environment
• **E**quity – for patients and staff

At TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally. We recognise that a skilled, satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care.

**A full overview of TUH is available on https://www.tuh.ie/about-us/**

**Purpose of the role:**

The Occupational Therapy Assistant will assist in the delivery of quality patient care and associated duties under the direction and supervision of the Occupational Therapist.

**Overview of role:**

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**

• Assist the qualified therapists in delivering an excellent Occupational Therapy services to inpatients as part of the acute hospital service.
• Contribute to the assessment and treatment of patients, undertaking therapeutic work and supervising patients in activity relating to their treatment.
• Undertake general departmental duties such as preparation of materials for therapy sessions, collation of statistical information and ordering equipment.
• Undertake clerical duties and household tasks to support the clinical service delivery in the relevant areas.
• Report to the Occupational Therapist to whom they are assigned.
• Ultimately accountable to the Occupational Therapist Manager.

**Clinical duties**

• Assist the Therapist(s) in the assessment of clients and the implementation of treatment interventions as directed by the Therapist(s).

+ Prepare the client and the environment for assessment and/or treatment as directed by the Therapist(s).

+ Carry out interventions under the direction of the Therapist(s).

+ Organise and supervise therapeutic activities, with individual clients and/or groups, as directed by the Therapist(s).

+ Use equipment during therapeutic interventions, as directed by the therapist(s).

+ Progress patient treatment as directed by the Therapist(s) within established protocols and guidelines.

+ Observe general behaviour, ability and response of the client to a therapeutic intervention and report the observations to the Therapist(s).

+ Use knowledge and understanding of clients’ needs to involve and motivate the client in the therapeutic process.

+ Examples of clinical duties may include

• + Training and rehabilitation programmes and sessions in:
• Personal activities of daily living (PADLs)
• Functional transfers/tasks
• Domestic activities of daily living (DADLs)
• Work/vocational skills
• Leisure activities
• Community living skills
• Quality of life interventions

+ To provide opportunities for patients/clients

• To engage in purposeful activities
• To maintain appropriate occupational roles and habits
• To maintain/develop a sense of personal empowerment and esteem
• To maintain/develop occupational performance ability, including, cognitive skills, social interaction and physical ability

**General duties**

• + Use knowledge of the role of the Occupational Therapy Assistant and understand the responsibilities and accountability of that role within the team.

+ Recognise the importance of a good working relationship with frequent communication between the Assistant and the supervising Therapist(s)

+ Communicate effectively and appropriately with a range of different service users and providers

+ Observe confidentiality when handling the clients/organisations information

+ Document his/her intervention with the client as outlined by local policy.

+ Maintain order, cleanliness and tidiness of treatment areas and equipment in accordance with local departmental guidelines

+ Clean and maintain therapy equipment and logs of same on a regular basis as directed.

+ Carry out departmental stock control, ordering and receiving supplies, monitoring equipment and reporting faulty equipment as outlined by local departmental policies and procedures.

+ Carry out administrative duties (e.g. filing, answering telephone, recording statistics, photocopying) as outlined by local departmental policies and procedures.

+ Perform such other duties appropriate to the role as may be assigned by the Occupational Therapy Manager.

**Communication**

• + Communicate in an effective way to encourage and motivate patients.

+ Communicate in a confident and assertive manner in a multidisciplinary team.

+ Demonstrate an understanding of social, psychological and emotional issues that may impact on patient care and compliance.

+ Form therapeutic rapport with clients/patients and their families/carers to effectively communicate in a way that respects users’ autonomy and culture.

+ Use effective verbal and non-verbal communication during delivery of treatment programmes to patients who may have barriers to understanding or communicating in order to maximise rehabilitation potential and ensure understanding of the condition.

+ Use skills of listening, facilitating, persuasion, motivation, reassurance, negotiation and explanation regularly to overcome difficulties encountered which may include loss of hearing, visual impairment, expressive and receptive communication impairment, altered perception, cognitive problems, diminished mental capacity, pain, fear, language barriers and cultural differences.

+ Under the guidance of qualified staff, communicate information to patients and carers about provision of equipment and services.

+ Accurately record appropriate documentation and departmental statistics.

+ Communicate with patients, relatives, carers, equipment services, social and health care professionals and other voluntary organisations and statutory bodies to assist the Therapists in ensuring an integrated, holistic approach to patient care.

**General accountability:**

• Commitment to continuous professional development and completion of mandatory training and relevant internal training programmes available through our Centre for Learning & Development.
• Maintain throughout the Hospital awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities.
• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the Mission, Vision and Values of the Hospital.

**QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED**

**Must :**

• Have obtained at least Grade D3 in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (higher, ordinary, applied or vocational programmes) or equivalent

**Or**

• Have passed an examination at the appropriate level within the QQI qualifications framework which can be assessed as being of a comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher i.e. Fetac Level 5

**Or**

• Have satisfactory relevant experience which encompasses demonstrable equivalent skills

**Or**

• Have a Health or Social Care Qualification (QQI level 5).

**And**

• Show evidence of recent knowledge and experience of an acute hospital/nursing home/rehabilitation environment.
• Show evidence of practical experience and use of IT systems / packages
• Have fluent command and understanding of the English language to include spoken and written word.

**Desirable:**

• It is desirable to have a health or social care qualification (e.g. QQI Level 5 award for Occupational Therapy Assistant or other equivalent Health care support worker course).
• Experience working with Occupational Therapy in the acute hospital/rehabilitation setting.
• Minimum of 1 year’s recent experience in an acute hospital environment.
• Recent experience working with older persons/frail elderly.
• Experience working with electronic patient record systems.

**Reward & Recognition**

• Remuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, 1st August 2025.
• The appointment is fulltime, specified purpose and pensionable. A panel will be formed from which future fulltime/part-time posts may be filled.
• The annual leave entitlement is 23 working days per year. The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year.
• Normal working hours are 39 worked over 5 days. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.
• A panel for future full-time and part-time permanent and temporary Occupational Therapy Assistant and Therapy Assistant positions may be formed from interviews.

**Application process**

Applications can be submitted ‘on-line’ at **www.tuh.ie/careers** by completing the application form and attaching your CV. Candidates should be aware that, when applying for a post through the 'On-Line' Application System (Candidate Manager) they will receive an automated replying acknowledging receipt of their application. Should you for any reason, not receive this automated acknowledgement, you should notify the Human Resources Department, before the closing date, otherwise your application will not be considered.

All candidates should note that, in order to maintain a timely process, the closing date and time for receipt of applications will be strictly adhered to.**Informal Enquiries to: Ms Niamh Harding,****Occupational Therapy Manager in Charge III**

**Phone (+353) 1414 2790 or email niamh.harding@tuh.ie**

**Interview Date: Interviews will be arranged for approximately 1 week after closing date.**

**Closing Date: Before close of business on: Thursday 26th March**

**TUH Core Competencies:**

**Core Area**

**Competency**

**Level**

Managing the service

Quality & Safety of Service

1

Managing the service

Delivery of Results

1

Managing Change

Problem Solving & Decision Making

1

Managing Change

Communications & Influencing

1

Managing Yourself

Team player

1

Managing Yourself

Planning and Organising

1

Managing People

People Management

1

Managing People

Leadership

1

**Please go to www.tuh/careers for details of the core competencies**

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**

**Age Restrictions In Relation To Applications**

Age restriction shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant

(within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2004).

A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day

of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed applications for the office occurs.

**Health**

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

**Garda Vetting**

Garda vetting is sought for all employees and prospective employees of Tallaght University Hospital. Given the specialised nature of the services provided, your appointment will be subject to satisfactory Garda vetting and re-vetting in circumstances where the Hospital deems it appropriate. The Hospital will then process the necessary documentation to endeavour to obtain the satisfactory Garda clearance for you. You are obliged to disclose previous and any criminal convictions acquitted during the course of your employment. Should the Hospital obtain information from the Garda vetting unit to indicate that your Garda clearance report is not satisfactory and / or if you have supplied the Hospital with false or misleading information in relation to your Garda clearance status, the Hospital reserves the right to withdraw or terminate the contract in accordance with Tallaght University Hospital Garda vetting policy.

**Point on Salary Scale**

*New appointees to any grade start at the minimum point of the scale. Incremental credit will be applied for recognised relevant service in Ireland and abroad (Department of Health Circular 2/2011). Incremental credit is normally granted on appointment, in respect of previous experience in the Civil Service, local authorities, health service and other public service bodies and statutory agencies.*

**Probation**

The probationary period may be extended at the Hospital’s discretion but will not in any case exceed 9 months. Confirmation of your appointment as a permanent member of staff is subject to the successful completion of the probation period. Termination of this agreement within the probationary period shall be at the discretion of the Hospital, in accordance with the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973 - 2001.

**Termination of Employment**

The employment may be terminated at any time by one months’ notice on either side except where circumstances are dictated by the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973/91. The Management’s right under this paragraph shall not be exercised save in circumstances where the Management is of the opinion that the holder of the office has failed to perform satisfactorily the duties of the post or has misconducted himself/herself in relation to the post or is otherwise unfit to hold the appointment.

**Sick Leave**

• There is provision for sick pay at the Hospitals discretion, subject to the regulations and details found in the Staff Handbook/ Personnel Policy Manual, as per the Hospitals sick leave policy.
• In the event of absence from work, you are required to contact your Manager/Supervisor within one hour of starting time on the first day of absence, while a Medical Certificate is required for any illness lasting in excess of two days. Failure to comply with the sick leave policy may result in a loss of pay for the period of absence and may also incur disciplinary action.

**Information Technology & data**

• Make the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner which integrates well with systems throughout the organisation.
• Collect, interpret and present data and information on the Department’s activities, staffing and expenditure, as required.

**Pension Arrangements and Retirement age**

There are three superannuation schemes currently in operation for staff in Tallaght University Hospital:

(a) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant)

(b) Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant)

(c) Single Public Service Pension Scheme

Please read carefully the summary of the criteria for the three superannuation schemes below. This will assist you in identifying which scheme membership is applicable to your employment circumstances.

(a) If you have been continually employed in the public service prior to the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (Non-New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 60 and a Maximum Retirement Age of 65.

(b) If you have been continually employed in the public service post the 1st April 2004 and you have not had a break in service of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Voluntary Hospital Superannuation Scheme (New Entrant) with a Minimum Retirement Age of 65. There is no Maximum Retirement Age.

(c) If you have commenced employment in the public service as a new entrant or you are a former public servant, returning to the public service after a break of more than 26 weeks, you will be included in the Single Public Service Pension Scheme effective from the 1st January 2013 with a minimum retirement age of 66 (rising to 67 and 68 in line with state pension changes). The maximum retirement age under this scheme will be age 70.

**Health & Safety**

• All employees must comply with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005.
• Comply with relevant Health and Safety responsibilities as outlined in Hospital Polices, Protocols and Procedures relevant to your area.
• Take reasonable care to protect your own safety, health and welfare and that of any other person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.

**Hygiene / Infection prevention and control**

• All employees have responsibility for Hygiene awareness. Hygiene is defined as “The practice that serves to keep people and environments clean and prevent infection.”
• All employees also have a responsibility under their terms of employment to prevent transmission of infection and to follow the hospital infection control policies and guidelines as outlined in the Infection Control Manual.
• All employees must be aware that they work in an area where there is potential for transmission of infection.
• All employees have a responsibility to follow hand hygiene guidelines as this is the single most important intervention to prevent the transmission of infection.

**Quality, safety and risk management**

• Support the delivery of the Quality, Safety and Risk Management Programme, including the appropriate identification and management of risks and incidents throughout the hospital.

**Data Management**

You must manage data as per TUH obligations under the Data Protection Acts 1988 – 2018 and GDPR.

**Confidentiality**

As an employee of Tallaght University Hospital, you acknowledge and agree to maintain the strictest confidentiality regarding all patient data, medical records, and or other personal and / sensitive data you may encounter in the course of your employment.

As you have access to or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients, their families and /or staff, or other health service business. Such records and information are strictly confidential and unless acting on the instructions of an authorised officer, on no account must information concerning staff, patients or other health service business be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty.

In addition records must never be left in such a manner unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required. You agree to uphold the highest standards and professional integrity and to exercise discretion and caution in handling all confidential information. By accepting employment with Tallaght University Hospital you affirm your commitment to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of all information entrusted to you.

**Mandated and Designated Persons under Children First Act 2015**

Schedule 2 of the Children First Act 2015 specifies the classes of persons defined as Mandated Persons for the purposes of the Act. This includes a range of disciplines that are employed by the hospital including all medical practitioners, registered nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers and others. This includes staff working in adult services. All mandated persons have two main legal obligations under the Children First Act 2015. Mandated persons, under the legislation are required to report any knowledge, belief or reasonable suspicion that a child has been harmed, is being harmed, or is at risk of being harmed. The Act defines harm as assault, ill-treatment, neglect or sexual abuse, and covers single and multiple instances. Mandated persons are also required to assist Tusla, if requested, in assessing a concern which has been the subject of a mandated report. Designated Officer are required to receive reports of suspected child abuse or neglect from any person who is of the opinion that (a) a child has been or is being assaulted, ill-treated, neglected or sexually abused, or (b) a child’s health, development or welfare has been or is being avoidably impaired or neglected. Full detailed list of mandated and designated staff together with details of their roles and responsibilities can be found on https://www.tusla.ie/children-first. It is the responsibility of all staff employed by TUH to be aware of their roles and responsibilities under the legislation and to complete mandatory Children First Training.