Occupational therapy technician

EAST LONDON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare trust in the United Kingdom is seeking an Occupational Therapy Technician to join its team. This permanent full-time position focuses on supporting inpatient flow and enhancing patients' independent living skills. Key responsibilities include assisting in assessments, delivering therapeutic interventions, and maintaining records. The ideal candidate will have experience within mental health services and be skilled in developing therapeutic relationships. Opportunities for professional development are also supported.

Qualifications

• Experience working within mental health services.
• Ability to develop therapeutic interventions under guidance.
• Strong organizational skills for maintaining records.

Responsibilities

• Assist in assessments and observe service users.
• Provide therapeutic interventions and maintain records.
• Participate in treatment planning and development.

Skills

Assessment and observation skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Therapeutic relationship development

Risk assessment

Education

Relevant qualification in Occupational Therapy support

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for someone who is already working within mental health services to join our Occupational therapy team as an Occupational therapy technician. The role is a permanent full-time post of 22.5 hours, focused on supporting inpatient flow by helping patients improve independent living skills and facilitating timely discharge back to the community.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the assessment and observation of service users in a variety of settings, recording and feeding back outcomes to MDT members as required.
• Gather information about service users’ interests, preferences, skills, life stories and changing needs, including sensitive information, and monitor health outcomes as treatment progresses.
• Participate in planning and implementation of agreed treatment plans in areas of self‑care, leisure and productivity under guidance of a registered OT.
• Provide therapeutic interventions in individual and group settings, developing evidence‑based delivery directed by qualified staff.
• Deliver activities that meet specific individual needs and help create a therapeutic environment on the ward and in the community.
• Develop productive and therapeutic relationships with service users, using a graded approach where clinically indicated.
• Work and liaise with a range of MDT colleagues, including psychology, arts therapies, nursing, medical, people‑participation, peer support workers, sports therapy, volunteers, local authorities and community connector teams.
• Ensure all clinical contact incorporates risk assessment and appropriate risk management.
• Attend service‑user related meetings and contribute as appropriate.
• Maintain records and report observations of service users’ participation, engagement and performance in structured and unstructured therapeutic contacts with professionals, both verbally and in writing.
• Adhere to local, departmental, directorate‑specific and Trust‑wide policies and procedures, including risk management and health and safety.
• Support the smooth running of the service by carrying out periodic administrative duties and attending departmental and Trust‑wide meetings.
• Work in line with the Royal College of Occupational Therapy's (RCOT) Code of Ethics, Professional Conduct and professional standards in clinical practice.
• Maintain accurate service statistics relevant to area of work.
• Participate in induction of new staff, education of student placements and quality improvement activities, including audit, research and evidence‑based practice.
• Maintain ongoing professional development, supervision, appraisals and training, and disseminate learning to the team and MDT colleagues.
• Assist with the development of culturally sensitive OT services.
• Manage petty cash vouchers, submit reimbursement claims and ensure compliance with health and safety for therapeutic stock and equipment.
• Prepare resources for therapeutic sessions, purchase items and manage departmental resources.

Contact

If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, please contact Gina Ntzimani at [e-mail]. The post holder will be a key member of the Adult Mental Health Occupational Therapy (AMH OT) team, providing mental‑health OT services across the Trust.