Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Methodist Church in Britain; England; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

East London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant to support inpatient and community-based OT services in London. You will work one-to-one and in groups under qualified OT supervision, assisting with treatment plans and discharge planning.

Responsibilities include risk assessment, documentation, liaison with the MDT, and training junior colleagues. The role involves working across wards, OT departments, and community settings with occasional exposure to aggression.

Qualifications

• Active use of practical and creative skills.
• Basic understanding of the needs and concerns of people with mental health problems.
• Understanding of the varying needs of clients from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Basic understanding of occupational therapy and ability to learn the OT process.
• Understanding of administrative procedures in running an OT service.
• Knowledge of Equal Opportunities legislation and its implications for work with service users and staff.

Responsibilities

• Deliver one-to-one and group occupational therapy on the ward and in the community under the guidance of qualified staff.
• Implement agreed OT treatment plans through practical individual and group activities.
• Contribute to the assessment, treatment, maintenance and resettlement of service users.
• Carry out risk assessment and risk management in all clinical contact.
• Identify community resources and build partnerships so clients can integrate and be discharged.
• Work with the multi-disciplinary team, including attending client-related meetings.
• Keep accurate records and report client progress verbally and in writing.
• Contribute to the planning, provision and evaluation of the OT service.
• Coordinate the day-to-day running of OT programmes.
• Provide student placements and help train students and new staff.
• Provide clinical supervision to other members of the OT team.
• Prepare and order stock and equipment, keep equipment safe and compliant, and complete petty cash vouchers.

Skills

Active use of practical and creative

Basic understanding of MH needs

Cultural sensitivity

OT process knowledge

Administrative procedures

Equal Opportunities knowledge

Job description

This Occupational Therapy Assistant post sits in the inpatient OT team at East London NHS Foundation Trust, working with service users who have acute mental health needs. The core is one-to-one and group occupational therapy under a qualified OT's guidance, plus linking clients to community resources for discharge. Work spans the wards, the OT department and community settings, with a real risk of aggression, and staff may be moved between service locations. Fit depends on practical and creative skills and working well alone at times.

What the job involves

• Deliver one-to-one and group occupational therapy on the ward and in the community under the guidance of qualified staff
• Implement agreed OT treatment plans through practical individual and group activities
• Contribute to the assessment, treatment, maintenance and resettlement of service users
• Carry out risk assessment and risk management in all clinical contact
• Identify community resources and build partnerships so clients can integrate and be discharged
• Work with the multi-disciplinary team, including attending client-related meetings
• Keep accurate records and report client progress verbally and in writing
• Contribute to the planning, provision and evaluation of the OT service
• Co-ordinate the day-to-day running of OT programmes
• Provide student placements and help train students and new staff
• Provide clinical supervision to other members of the OT team
• Prepare and order stock and equipment, keep equipment safe and compliant, and complete petty cash vouchers

Skills & knowledge

• Active use of practical and creative skills
• Basic understanding of the needs and concerns of people with mental health problems
• Understanding of the varying needs of clients from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds
• Basic understanding of occupational therapy and ability to learn the OT process
• Understanding of administrative procedures in running an OT service
• Knowledge of Equal Opportunities legislation and its implications for work with service users and staff

Other

• Good interpersonal and motivational skills
• Observation skills
• Clear verbal and written communication
• Ability to consider client needs in practical terms
• Ability to problem solve within a team and take responsibility for implementing decisions
• Ability to use own initiative and work alone at times

Nice to have

• GCSEs
• NVQ and/or BTEC in care-related skills
• Qualification in relevant practical skills

What’s offered

• Regular clinical and professional supervision from an experienced Occupational Therapist
• Peer support from colleagues in the inpatient service
• Regular ward meetings and Trust-wide OT meetings
• Opportunities for personal development
• Annual appraisals
• Additional support from a Band 7 Occupational Therapist, the Head of Occupational Therapy, the ward manager and the matron