Occupational Therapy Assistant

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Barnsley is seeking a passionate Occupational Therapy Assistant to provide therapeutic interventions for patients in inpatient mental health care. You will join a supportive multidisciplinary team and have opportunities for professional growth. The successful candidate should demonstrate strong communication skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities. Join this dedicated team and contribute to the well-being of the individuals we support, with a strong commitment to health and well-being practices.

Benefits

Support for professional development

Commitment to staff health and wellbeing

Access to strong professional networks

Qualifications

• Caring, confident and competent in providing therapeutic interventions.
• Support service users in their recovery journey.
• Handle administrative tasks including record keeping and stock control.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside a dedicated occupational therapy team.
• Assist in the Occupational Therapy assessment process.
• Deliver effective 1:1 and group interventions.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to adapt to changing priorities

Compassionate approach

Team collaboration

Initiative

Education

Relevant experience in Occupational Therapy

Job description

Hi, I'm Jo, and I'm really pleased you're looking at this opportunity. I've worked in this Trust for 17 years, and what keeps me here is the people - the staff and the individuals we support.

This team are a supportive group who genuinely look out for one another. Everyone's person‑centred approach shines through every day. If you're passionate about making a real difference, and want to feel part of something meaningful, this could be the right place for you.

We are looking for a caring, confident and competent Occupational Therapy Assistant who will be responsible for providing therapeutic interventions and activity for individuals currently in receipt of inpatient mental health care. In this role, you will work alongside a dedicated occupational therapy team to support service users in their recovery journey. You will also work alongside a wider multidisciplinary team, including nursing staff, medics, psychologists and physiotherapists.

You will be supported to develop your clinical and professional competencies within a stimulating learning environment. The Trust is committed to staff health and wellbeing, and you will be encouraged to learn, develop and grow.

The organisation has a well‑established professional leadership structure led by a Chief AHP, with access to strong professional networks and a wide range of profession‑specific training and career‑progression opportunities.

We are looking for a highly motivated, innovative and compassionate Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) who demonstrates excellent communication and interaction skills. The successful applicant will work alongside our Occupational Therapists (OTs) and other OTAs to assist in the Occupational Therapy assessment process and to deliver effective 1:1 and group interventions.

Our team (comprised of a Band 7 team manager, Band 6 OT, x2 Band 5 OTs and x3 OTAs) plays an important role in facilitating the safe and effective discharge of service users and is a valued part of our inpatient adult and older peoples services provision.

In this incredibly rewarding role, you will be responsible for your own caseload, working both individually and alongside other members of the multidisciplinary team. You will be fully supported by a registered OT via supervision. It is important that you can adapt to changing priorities and use your own initiative.

There are administrative tasks involved in the role such as record keeping, stock control and replenishment, and maintaining therapy areas and equipment.

If you're curious or have any questions, please contact me or the team on 07717700042 or 01226 644443. We're happy to chat before you apply.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19 to protect patients.

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high‑quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non‑clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups; we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Being a foundation Trust means we're accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we're run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.

Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.