Assistant Therapy Practitioner

NHS; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust is seeking an Assistant Therapy Practitioner to join their Crisis Home Treatment Team in Hemel Hempstead. This role involves providing client-centered interventions to support service users during their recovery journey, with opportunities for professional development and peer support. The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications and experience in mental health settings, and a passion for helping others.

Qualifications

• Experience of leading groups and 1:1 interventions.
• Knowledge of Recovery principles.
• Functional Assessment Training.

Responsibilities

• Work with service users experiencing acute mental illness.
• Provide core Occupational Therapy advice and support.
• Manage stock and resources for the role.

Skills

Knowledge of Occupational Therapy role within setting

Ability to work autonomously

Experience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems

Education

A Levels and/or Health and Social Care NVQ level 3 or equivalent

Degree in relevant subject

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Go back Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Assistant Therapy Practitioner

The closing date is 21 May 2025

Band 4 OT Assistant Therapy Practitioner Post

Are you interested in being part of a Crisis Home Treatment Team? Do you have a passion for providing client-centred intervention whilst supporting service users in their recovery journey?

The post is suited to an Assistant Therapy Practitioner who enjoys the challenge of a fast-paced setting where positive Occupational Therapy outcomes are quickly seen. Occupational Therapy is an essential part of the treatment options in the Crisis Service, which supports individuals during the acute phase of mental ill health

The role involves individual sessions, and there is scope for group work. Settings include the Crisis Team base in Hemel Hempstead, the local crisis therapy unit, service users' homes and then local community. Therefore, access to a vehicle is essential

You will receive regular support, individual supervision, and team reflective practice. There are regular opportunities for peer support within the organisation, including Special Interest Groups where attendance of staff from all bands is encouraged

We welcome applications from existing or aspiring Band 4 Assistant Therapy Practitioners and those looking for progression, or the next challenge. We welcome applications from those who are due to start, or are in the process of completing the Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship Program, however this is not a prerequisite for this role. We welcome those who wish to work flexibly.

Main duties of the job

To work with service users who are supported by the Crisis Home Treatment Team, and are experiencing the acute phase of mental illness and need intensive support as an alternative to hospital admission.

To work with Occupational Therapy colleagues within the service and the Trust

• To work with MDT members, including supporting the wider team

To work with service users and carers

To liaise with other statutory and non-statutory service providers involved in service user care and Treatment.

• To work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activity guided by an Advanced Assistant Therapy Practitioner
• To carry our specific Occupational Therapy assessments as guided by an Advanced Assistant Therapy Practitioner
• To promote a culture of engagement in meaningful occupation within the service in to enhance quality of life
• To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust values
• To provide feedback to the team regarding observed occupational performance during sessions
• To maintain clinical records electronically
• To liaise with carers and other professionals as relevant
• To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance
• To attend mandatory training and keep a record
• To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor
• May occasionally include planning and facilitation of occupationally based groups

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality Commission.

Our family of over 4,500 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

Job responsibilities

• May occasionally include planning and facilitation of occupationally based groups guided by an Occupational Therapist.
• To work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activities guided by an Occupational Therapist.
• To work effectively as a member of a team in providing therapeutic activities using a person-centred and occupationally based approach.
• To provide core Occupational Therapy advice, intervention and support given to service users and their carers under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist.
• To provide timely feedback to the MDT information regarding the service user's wellbeing and occupational performance.

To support in the learning and experience of Occupational Therapy and other Multi-disciplinary students on placement within the unit within the remit of the role.

To provide supervision for Band 3 staff as agreed by the Occupational Therapist.

• To manage stock, advising and obtaining resources to carry out the job

For a More in-depth Person and Job Description, please read the attached before applying

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Occupational Therapy role within setting
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packages
• A Levels and/or Health and Social Care NVQ level 3 or equivalent
• Degree in relevant subject

Experience

• Experience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems
• Experience of leading groups and 1:1 interventions
• Ability to work autonomously
• Experience of working in a OT related setting
• Experience of service user and carer involvement in the development of services
• Knowledge of Recovery principles
• Functional Assessment Training

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 name

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

£27,857 to £30,570 a yearper annum pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAs)