Occupational Therapy Assistant – Forensic Psychiatry

NHS Jobs; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant for its Forensic Psychiatry Service in Cambridge. The role involves delivering group and individual interventions tailored to client needs. Candidates must have strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with various professionals to support service user independence and well-being.

Qualifications

• Experience in occupational therapy interventions or related fields.
• Ability to interact effectively with service users and other professionals.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate group sessions and individual interventions for service users.
• Collaborate with Occupational Therapists and other staff in interventions.
• Use electronic records for documentation and reporting.

Skills

Assessment skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Job description

Occupational Therapy Assistant – Forensic Psychiatry

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities. Overall responsibility for Occupational Therapy interventions is held by the Occupational Therapist. However, as the OTA, you will be heavily involved in assessment, intervention delivery, evaluation, and quality measurement processes.

Your work will predominantly be with the service users of the Community Forensic Psychiatry Service, but where appropriate, may include interaction with family and carers, other mental health professionals, and other non-NHS agencies.

The format for interventions will include both group-based and targeted individual 1:1 sessions. These may be held in the community or within the person's own home. Interventions will focus on supporting/promoting independence through person-centred goals in areas such as daily living skills, self-care, leisure activities, vocation, social inclusion, developing coping strategies, and building support networks.

You will need to develop good working relationships with other organizations that can help individuals achieve their goals, including education-based services, other training providers, voluntary agencies, inpatient units, and community services.

You will need to communicate your observations, analysis, and evaluation of the interventions you facilitate to the Occupational Therapists and other appropriate staff within the MDT. You will also need to use electronic records to document these observations, analyses, and evaluations.

Regular supervision with an Occupational Therapist is required to support reflection, professional development, identify issues, monitor progress, maintain standards, develop new skills, encourage innovation, and reflect on your well-being at work.

You are expected to work in a manner that is reflective and aligned with the CPFT PRIDE values. Additionally, you will undertake any other appropriate tasks delegated by Occupational Therapist colleagues.