Occupational Therapy Assistant

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a dedicated Occupational Therapy Assistant to join their Medium Secure unit. You will work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver high-quality care to service users with various mental health needs. Responsibilities include assisting in therapy delivery, supporting assessments, and managing therapeutic interventions. Candidates should possess relevant qualifications and experience in health settings, alongside strong interpersonal skills to foster positive relationships. Opportunities for career development are provided.

Benefits

NHS Pension scheme

Generous maternity and paternity leave

Flexible working options

Up to 27 days annual leave

Health and Wellbeing support

Free parking at all trust sites

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in health or social care settings, especially with mental health.
• Experience working alongside an Occupational Therapist.

Responsibilities

• Assisting in the development and delivery of individual and group therapy.
• Preparing and organizing therapeutic interventions.
• Recording outcomes for assessment and treatment goals.
• Providing support to the multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Understanding of Occupational Therapy

Ability to form therapeutic relationships

Independence and self-motivation

Calmness in emergencies

Ability to manage competing needs

Education

Quality Credit Framework qualification at level 3 (e.g., NVQ or OCN in Health & Social Care)

Job description

Job Overview

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn.

There is an exciting opportunity for individuals who have an interest in working with service users with a variety of mental health needs within a secure setting.

We have an Occupational Therapy Assistant post on our Medium Secure unit at The Hatherton Centre, St George's hospital, working with adult males on the rehabilitation ward.

Including opportunity to work with the existing ward/multi-disciplinary team to bring new ideas to develop the delivery of therapy for service users.

We are looking for a self‑motivated and caring individual who will make a positive contribution to the quality of lives of our service users and delivery high quality care.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for assisting in the development and delivery of treatment to service users. Therapy will be expected to be offered on an individual and group basis alongside Occupational Therapy and ward staff.

This includes assisting at all stages of the Occupational Therapy process; supporting assessments, planning, and implementing interventions, evidencing, evaluating and outcome measuring therapy to ensure delivery is high quality.

They will work actively as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

They will be required to work collaboratively and flexibly with both the Occupational Therapy and ward team to meet the diverse needs of our service users and adapt to the demands of the ward.

Working for our organisation

By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;

• Supporting your career development and progression
• Excellent NHS Pension scheme
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days)
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
• Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
• Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
• Free car parking at all trust sites
• Free flu vaccinations every year
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.

Important Notice

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

The post holder will prepare, organise and carry out interventions, to support the assessment and treatment goals identified by the Occupational Therapist. They will carry out a prescribed range of therapeutic interventions with service user/patients to promote their independence in the occupational performance areas.

The post holder will be responsible for observations and recording outcomes for individual and group interventions which support the ongoing assessment and treatment of service users during activities to promote their progress through the Vona Du Toit Model of Creative Ability focusing on self‑care, use of free time, work ability and social ability with supervision from the Occupational Therapist.

The post holder will be responsible for providing timely and accurate written and verbal feedback for all interventions for review by the delegating Occupational Therapist to support the delivery and review of the overall Occupational Therapy intervention plan.

The post holder will carry out delegated clinical activities independently and will also provide support and assistance to other staff carrying out interventions to ensure staffing levels and skill mix are met which reflect the clinical needs of the service user/patient group and the environment where the intervention is taking place.

The post holder may be required to prepare clinical areas, communicate plans with patients and staff and accompany Occupational Therapy staff as an escort/community visits.

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential criteria

• Quality Credit Framework qualification at level 3 e.g. NVQ or OCN related to Health & Social Care equivalent.

Experience

Essential criteria

• Relevant experience working within health, social care settings which provides transferable knowledge and skills, specifically experience of working with people with Mental Health needs

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

Essential criteria

• Understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy and have had experience of working alongside an Occupational Therapist.
• Demonstrates an ability to form positive therapeutic relationships with service users and carers to work independently with them on a 1:1/group basis.
• Ability to work independently, being self‑motivated and to be able to prioritise and effectively manage a range of competing needs and pressures.
• Demonstrates an ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner in occasionally stressful and challenging situations.
• Demonstrates ability to work under own initiative and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Desirable criteria

• Relevant and recent experience of working in the community / wards.