Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust; Halifax; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

An NHS Foundation Trust in Halifax is seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant to deliver therapeutic interventions and support vocational goals for service users. The role involves developing meaningful relationships and working in a community setting to provide care. Ideal candidates should possess a Level 2 qualification in Health & Social Care, along with excellent interpersonal and customer care skills. This is a permanent, part-time position at 30 hours per week, with a commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare.

Qualifications

• Experience in providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs.
• Ability to work effectively, professionally and under own initiative.
• Demonstrate initiative and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver therapeutic interventions under supervision.
• Develop meaningful therapeutic relationships with service users.
• Contribute to care planning and implementation.

Skills

Excellent customer care skills

Resilience to pressure

Excellent interpersonal skills

Education

GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in English and Maths or equivalent

Care Certificate

Level 2 qualification in Health & Social Care or equivalent

Job description

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

The closing date is 12 January 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Assistant(Band 3) to join our Calderdale Vocational Team in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Ourcommunity based team provides vocational support led by occupational therapistsfor people in the Calderdale area, with referrals coming directly from the CommunityMental Health Teams (CMHT). Following a referral, the team assesses theperson's vocational needs and sets treatment priorities based on their vocationalgoals and preferences before delivering support primarily in a community setting.This is a permanent position 30-hours per week.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.

Main duties of the job

Using a strength-based approach, theVocational Team offers a range of vocational services including work retention,support into volunteering, education and training along with supporting ways ofdeveloping practical skills. Staff within this specialist team are skilled atworking with complex barriers that impact the pursuit of vocational goals. Thisincludes support with issues such as interpersonal and social functioning, lackof confidence and experience along with motivational and engagement issues.Social inclusion and locality networks are central to the approach of the team whilstexcellent partnerships with third sector providers enable opportunities forservice users to engage with their wider communities with our initial support. The role of the Occupational TherapyAssistant is to deliver these crucial therapeutic interventions in line withthe individuals vocational care plan and under the supervision of the OccupationalTherapists.

Please contact Richard Bates (Team Manager) for further information on 07766905736 or by email [e-mail].

Visa sponsorship under the Health and Care Worker visa route can only be considered if the prorated salary meets the minimum threshold of £25,000, as required by the UK Visas and Immigration. For Band 3 roles, only full-time positions at the top of the pay scale meet this threshold. Therefore, sponsorship may not be possible depending on salary increment placement and working hours.

About us

Weare a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental healthand learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and arethe lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission isto help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do thisby providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employstaff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make adifference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourageand welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we valuediversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Beinga foundation Trust means were accountable to ourmembers, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people(including staff) are members of our Trust.

Joinus and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improvingthe mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet andhelp each year.

Weare committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share thiscommitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The post holderwill:

Underthe supervision/direction of registered health careprofessionals/associate practitioner, within adelegated framework for agreed tasks, seek support as and when necessary, inthe delivery of therapeutic interventions, psychological and physical care to adefined group of people.

As part of a healthcare team, provide thehighest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people thatmaximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.

Develop and maintain meaningful therapeuticrelationships with people. Adopt a polite, positive and empathetic approach,communicating effectively and informatively.

Demonstratean understanding of thecareandtreatment programmes of a designated group of service users to enable you to instruct, advise &guideserviceusers, family and carers. To make the appropriate adjustments independently(within own competence and skill set) and be able to communicate any changesto service users andregistered health care professionals.

Be required to concentrate for periods of time,depending upon the care intervention/care plan eg, following the observationpolicy, taking, recording of physical observations etc, and responding toissues of concern appropriately. This may includeareas of work requiring physicaleffort, with regard to risk, health & safety.

Exercise a degree of independence,initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks.Assess situations, identify and resolve potential problems, within owncompetence and skill set.

Ensure the care experiencedis positiveand service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesyand in accordance with the Trusts Values.

Contribute to the care planning process.Understand the principles underlying care planning eg, enabling the serviceuser to reach an optimum level of functioning/ independence/recovery.

Implement care within well-establishedpolicies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical careplans. Organise a range of activitieseg, facilitate meaningful activities for individuals or small groups.

Apply knowledge of longer term healthconditions eg, Diabetes, Obesity, smoking cessation etc, providing advice andsupport.

Undertake the physical aspects of care eg,moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering careeg, hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriateinstruction on their use has been received.

Assist in dealing with verbal/physicalaggression using de-escalation techniques,this may include the need for restraint and/or seclusion (as appriateto the role and in line with Trust policy and training).

Attend to the service users personal careneeds as required (as appropriate to the role).

Participate in a flexible rostering arrangementproviding 24-hour/7 day care (asappropriate to the role).

KEY RESULT AREAS:

To deliver excellent levels of customerservices to people. Assess, problem solve or report, in a timely and proactivemanner, when these standards have not been met.

Work with a degree of independence within defined parameters, as directed by a registered health care professional (orassociate practitioner if part of the team).

Prioritise own tasks,exercising initiative and judgement in response to peoples needs. Refer and seek guidance/supervisionon issues outside ofpost holders level of competency orauthority to more senior health care professionals.

Contribute tothe initial assessment/admission/dischargeprocess and formulation/implementation of individualisedpackages of care to helpmaximise service user recovery/rehabilitation potential.

Act as a link or associate link for a specific areaofpractice(as appropriate).

Clearly, accurately and contemporaneously, contribute to care documents, report observations and other service user information, inwritten and electronic format. Demonstrate competent IT skills, accuratedatainputting and use of the internet.

Accurately record clinicalmeasurements and physical observations (as appropriate), which may include:monitoring of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, respiration, weight etc, and handle specimens of bodily fluids. Identifypotential risks and respond appropriately.

Contribute to ensuringservice user needs are met eg, emotional, personal, basic wound care, dietary,environmental etc, ensuring their privacy, dignity, rights and choices aremaintained at all times. Support individuals to self-manage their own healthand social wellbeing and promote individuals positive self-esteem and sense ofidentity.

Participate in the management and support ofindividuals who exhibit challenging behaviour or present a significant imminentrisk to themselves or others. Recogniseand respond to changes in their presentation, including reporting the issue toa registered health care practitioner/associate practitioner as required.Respond appropriately to any emergency situation.

Participate in supportiveobservation/interventions minimising the negative effects of disruptive/abusivebehaviour, or in the prevention and management of violence and aggression(PMVA) (as appropriate). Utilise de-escalation and physical control techniquesas necessary. Taking reasonable steps to protect themselves from the risk ofviolence.

If appropriate to the role, when directed andrisk assessed by a health care practitioner, accompany/escort service userswithin/outside Trust grounds. Apply care principles to enable service user tomeet maximum level of independence.

Ensure action to reduce risks to health andsafety and all possiblestepsare taken in identifying, managing andreporting risks, to help safeguardthe welfare, safety andsecurity ofpeople, eg, children, service users, visitors and staff. Contribute to the reduction of hazards in theenvironment, considering safety, security, theft or damage.

Use effective verbal/written communicationatall times,incorporating tact, empathy, consideration, courtesy and confidentiality.Adapt style of communication to respond to service user communicationdifficulties and psychological, social, physical and spiritual needs.

Work with sensitivity and an understanding ofthe issues experienced by service users.

Ensure movingand handling of people/loads is carried out in a safe and effective manner, inaccordance with policy and training, as directed by a registered health careprofessional/associate practitioner.

Work in a flexible and collaborative manner with others. Adapting to the needs of the service, despite many demands on attention.

Understand the roles and contributions of othercare providers in and outside of the team, enabling those who are significantto the service user to play an active role in their care.

Supportthe Trustsculture of commitment to deliveringquality services and outcomes.

Maintain andcontinuously improve knowledge & understanding of health & social care services; including systems, policy, and current issues,particularly with regard to own area of work and service users.

Make use of opportunitiesfor sharing good practice and learning.

Proactively identify additional activities in accordance with therole, which would increase postholder efficiency and theefficiency of the team; offersuggestions for improvement and implement these activities in agreement with the team.

Undertake any additional duties deemedappropriate to the role.

For full job description, pleasesee attached supporting documents.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.

Person Specification

Physical Attributes

• A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary).

Experience

• In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs.
• In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence.
• In dealing with the public.
• In working as an effective team member.
• Of demonstrating own duties.
• Ability to work effectively, professionally and under own initiative or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills.
• Evidence of a commitment to user/carer involvement.

Special Knowledge & Skills

• As appropriate to the role:
• Demonstrates excellent customer care skills.
• Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users.
• Demonstrates safe decision-making skills commensurate with role.
• Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust.
• Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations eg, verbal aggression, body fluids, etc.
• Non-judgemental, empathetic manner.
• Demonstrates Trust Values.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Good administration and organisational skills.
• Able to use observation skills to identify potential services user, environmental risks etc. and act appropriately.
• Able to fulfil the requirements of the value-based induction.
• Language skills other than English.
• Experience of supervising/inducting others.

Training

• Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area.
• Must be willing/able to undergo job development and training.
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, eg, Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc.

Qualifications

• GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in English and Maths or equivalent.
• Level 2 qualification/or working through, with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3.
• Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement.
• Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent eg, RQF(regulated Qualification Framework)NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
• Experience of the speciality area.
• Willingness to undertake further study.

Personal Attributes

• Responsive attitude and approach.
• Dress appropriately for the environment.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

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.

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Laura Mitchell Health and Wellbeing Centre