Occupational Therapy Assistant

Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; Chesterfield; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking a Band 3 Occupational Therapy Assistant for the Dementia Rapid Response Team in Chesterfield. This role involves delivering evidence-based mental health care and crisis intervention, providing support to individuals in distress while promoting meaningful activity and social inclusion. Applicants should hold an NVQ Level 3 and must be willing to work weekends and bank holidays. A full UK driving license is essential as travel within a specified response time is required.

Benefits

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Flexible working commitment

Health service discounts

Qualifications

• Experience of working with Older People.
• Experience of working within Mental Health Services.
• Experience of working with people who have Dementia.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely crisis response under support from the multi-disciplinary team.
• Contribute to person-centred care plans and monitor occupational functioning.
• Identify and act on safeguarding concerns to protect vulnerable adults.
• Offer education and emotional support to families and carers.
• Support the Occupational Therapist in assessment and treatment.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Crisis Response

Team Collaboration

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Band 3 Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our Dementia Rapid Response Team covering Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant in the Dementia Rapid Response Team will deliver evidence-based mental health care and crisis intervention for individuals in acute distress. The team provides intensive home-based support to prevent hospital admission, acts as a gatekeeper for inpatient care, and supports early discharge planning. The role promotes meaningful activity, independence, and social inclusion with patient/carers under supervision. The service focuses on building resilience and supporting recovery in home and community settings.

The Dementia Rapid Response Team operates 7 days a week (8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends and bank holidays). The post holder must be available to work weekends and bank holidays.

The post holder must hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle to travel across the large geographical area within our specified 2 - 4 hour response time.

We offer a comprehensive and supportive induction and training programme for all new Occupational Therapy Assistants; plus regular clinical supervision.

Please note: This vacancy may close early if there is a high volume of applications. Candidates must be able to attend a face‑to‑face interview.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for dynamic individuals with good interpersonal skills to enable engagement of service users and their carers.

• Provide timely crisis response, including de‑escalation, brief psychological interventions, and support for service users and carers during acute mental health crises under support from the multi‑disciplinary team.
• Contribute to person‑centred care plans, monitoring changes in occupational functioning, and report findings to the Occupational Therapists and multidisciplinary team.
• Identify and act on safeguarding concerns, following local and national procedures to protect vulnerable adults.
• Offer education, advice, and emotional support to families and carers, acknowledging their role in recovery.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support the delivery of an effective and safe service.
• Work independently and have the ability to use initiative, seeking support as required from the multidisciplinary team.
• Support the Occupational Therapist with the assessment and treatment process.
• Work as a member of the ward team, supporting shared tasks when this is required to maintain the safety of our patients and families.

About us

Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of 'making a positive difference in people's lives'.

CQC rated us as 'GOOD' overall, commenting on how our colleagues "treated patients with compassion and kindness" and "felt positive and proud about working for the trust."

Benefits include:

• Commitment to flexible working where this is possible
• 27 days annual leave/year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years & 33 days after 10 years' service
• Yearly appraisal and commitment to ongoing training
• Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits
• Health service discounts and online benefits
• Incremental pay progression
• Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7
• Access to our LGBT+ network, BAME Network and Christian Network
• Health and wellbeing opportunities
• Structured learning and development opportunities

Job responsibilities

Please review the Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Experience and Interest

• Experience of working with Older People
• Experience of working within Mental Health Services
• Experience of working with people who have a Dementia

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge of functional illness
• Hold a full UK driving licence

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.

£24,937 to £26,598 a yearper annum, pro rata