Occupational Therapy Assistant

Essex Partnership University Nhs Foundation Trust; Essex; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday

Excellent pension

Staff discounts

£8K relocation package

Season ticket loans

Job summary

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, based at Brockfield House in Wickford, Essex, is seeking an Assistant Occupational Therapist to support the Occupational Therapy team and deliver interventions alongside the MDT.

You will assist with implementing therapy plans, group activities, and one-to-one sessions, with potential progression to OT apprenticeship depending on development and service needs.

Qualifications

• Essential: Good oral communication in English and IT skills.
• Essential: Observation and recording of observations.
• Essential: Organisational skills and ability to facilitate activities.
• Essential: Empathy and active listening.

Responsibilities

• Attend MDT and implement Occupational Therapy programmes.
• Carry out one-to-one interventions as directed by senior staff.
• Support group activities and care planning.
• Record interventions and feedback at ward rounds.
• Adhere to policies for leave, sickness, and time owing.

Skills

Communication skills

IT/Computers

Observation skills

Organisational skills

Group facilitation

Activity breakdown

Empathy

Listening

Driving licence

Travel flexibility

Tools

IT/Computer Skills

Job description

Job summary

Please note we cannot provide sponsorship now or in the future for this role. This is an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Occupational Therapist (OTA) to work within the Occupational Therapy Team based at Brockfield House in Wickford Essex. The OTA would be working alongside, the Occupational Therapists, assistants and activity coordinators and the wider MDT. The post holder will be responsible for supporting the OTs with facilitating groups and delivering interventions. This post holder may have an opportunity to become an OT apprentice which could lead to becoming a qualified OT. Brockfield House has 7 wards, 5 Medium Secure and 2 Low Secure for men and women located near Wickford; providing interim services for male/female recovering from severe and enduring mental illness within secure environment. The focus is on multi-disciplinary approach from nursing, medical occupational and vocational therapy, psychology and social work staff. The aim is to rehabilitate patients to a stage where they require a more open regime within a less secure environment. The aim is to provide individualised care and evaluation of the patient's progress and recovery. People are encouraged to be involved in their care planning and, where possible, the family is also involved. The wards operate on a multi-disciplinary team basis with regular input from the Community Mental Health Team and Community Forensic Team .

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) with Occupational Therapy, implementing Occupational Therapy programmes under the direction of the Senior Occupational Therapist.

• To support clients by implementing the Occupational Therapy treatment programs or therapies directed on their care plan.
• To carry out one to one interventions as directed by Senior Occupational Therapy staff.
• To support the qualified Occupational Therapy staff to plan and facilitate the group activities.
• To develop rapport with clients whilst encouraging their interest in skills development.
• To be aware of individual clients/patients' needs through communication with the Occupational Therapist involved in their care.
• To observe general behaviour, ability and response of clients/patients to activities; ensuring this is documented and communicated with their allocated Occupational Therapist.
• To have an awareness of the situations that may make clients/patients vulnerable or at risk.
• To report any concerns immediately to qualified staff.
• To respect clients/patients choices and confidentiality at all times.
• To record interventions in an agreed format.
• To feedback during the ward round meetings (where relevant) any issues, concerns and progress.
• Any other tasks delegated by qualified staff as appropriate to grade and experience

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Job responsibilities

Profession Specific Duties:

• Attend professional Occupational Therapy meetings as required.
• To undertake annual appraisal and to contribute constructively to the supervision process.
• To comply with policies and agreed procedures for annual leave, sickness and time owing.
• Any other duties as delegated by your Director or Chief Executive commensurate with the responsibilities of this post.

Person Specification

Education

Essential

• Previous relevant experience

Desirable

• Previous NHS experience
• Working with people with MH problems

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of the use of activities as a therapeutic medium.
• Able to break activities down in simple step's
• Basic risk assessment
• Group facilitation
• Group work planning
• Observation of basic function or ability, including the use of aids and adaptations if required

Desirable

• Awareness of different mental health conditions.

Skills/Experience

Essential

• Good oral communication skills based on fluency on the English language
• Literate in IT/Computer Skills
• Observation skills including the accurate recordings of observations
• Organisational skills
• Utilising activity therapeutically
• Ability to break activities into component parts
• Appropriate listening and empathy skills

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Shares the Trust's Beliefs and models this in their attitude and behaviour
• Full UK Drivers Licence
• Ability to Travel across Trust sites as required

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.