Occupational Therapy Assistant

www.healthjobsuk.com - jobboard; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 667 000 - 705 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking an Occupational Therapy Assistant to work in a high-security environment. The role focuses on engaging patients in practical activities like gardening and woodcraft, supporting their recovery. The ideal candidate will facilitate skills development, work in a collaborative environment, and communicate effectively with diverse individuals. Qualifications include a good general education, relevant trade skills and experience in patient engagement. This position offers competitive pay within the NHS Trust framework.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people in a work environment where practical skills are taught.
• Understanding of the needs of individuals with severe mental illness.
• Ability to engage and motivate individuals in skill development.

Responsibilities

• Engage patients in meaningful therapeutic activities.
• Support patients in developing work skills such as personal organization.
• Assist in practical tasks within gardening and wood crafts.

Skills

Practical skills in gardening

Good communication

Ability to engage with diverse backgrounds

Motivation and engagement training

Education

Good general education with 2 or more CSE, GCSE or O’ Levels

Nationally recognisable trade qualification

Job description

Employer West London NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Broadmoor Hospital Town Crowthorne Salary £29,651 - £31,312 Per Annum Inclusive of Allowances Salary period Yearly Closing 10/01/2026 23:59 Interview date 16/01/2026

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Band 3

West London NHS Trust provides a full range of mental health, community and physical healthcare services for children, adults and older people living in the London boroughs of Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow.

We also provide some specialist services that are commissioned regionally, such as our medium secure services; and nationally, such as the Cassel Hospital for people with complex and severe personality disorder and our high secure services at Broadmoor Hospital.

Job overview

WE DO NOT OFFER VISA SPONSORSHIP FOR THIS ROLE

We are currently recruiting to a rotation post across Occupational Therapy and the Rehabilitation Therapy Services. The rotation is in three area Occupational Therapy, Gardening/ horticulture and Woodcraft skills.

Currently the team are looking for people with good practical skills ideally in gardening and or wood work skills. The rehabilitation of patients involves learning new skill and engagement in meaningful actives.

Staff who work in these areas enjoy working with people and are aware that people take time as adults to learn new skills.

You will work with a minimum of three other staff in each session and work with the patients in simple tasks which give a sense of achievement.

In the wood crafts area, this could be a construction of a bird box, jigsaw cutting, wood turning lathe or pyrography engraving.

If in the horticultural area you could be working with patients in the greenhouse or the allotment area on seeding, weeding, grass cutting etc.

You will always work with two other staff who have a good knowledge of the patients who have a primary diagnosis of server mental illness or personality disorder.

The post is a face to face job and is very practical in nature but does involve sessions notes and in patient’s records.

Main duties of the job

The Rotation Assistants post is based in the Rehabilitation Therapy Service (RTS) and the Occupational Therapy service within the high security setting of Broadmoor hospital.

The aim of the service is to engage, support and develop patients as part of their recovery through engagement in meaningful therapeutic activities.

The RTS assistant would work as part of a close team of staff who work together to provide a wide range of activities which help patients develop work skills. These skills could be personal organisation and time management, concentration on a task, following instructions or copying tasks.

These skills are developed through a variety of activities including wood craft skills, picture framing, professional publishing and printing and gardening skills.

When working with the Occupational Therapist the assistant will work under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist in assessing and treating patients using task based interventions.

The staff in the assistant posts need to be able engage with patients and staff and support the process of the work ability sessions. It is helpful to have be able to learn practical tasks easily and to be a good communicator.

Working for our organisation

West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.

Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.

The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overallby the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.

The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• Good general education with 2 or more CSE, GCSE or O’ Levels
• To have a relevant trade or skill NVQ, City and Guilds, BTEC
• To have a nationally recognisable trade qualification or craft
• Motivation and Engagement Training
• Degree in a relevant area
• Adult Education qualification – PTLLS (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector)

Experience

• Experience of working with people in a work place where practical skills are taught.
• Experience in working in environment where people challenge each other
• Experience at working with others on implementing a new activity
• Experience motivating and engaging people

Knowledge

• Understanding of the need to consider environmental risk factors in a work place and with patients with a mental illness
• To have an understanding of people with a severe mental illness
• To have knowledge of what a high secure hospital is and what it entails.
• Knowledge of wider NHS and Mental Health service

Personal Qualities

• Able to chat to people of all backgrounds and cultures.
• To be honest, non- judgemental and companionate with all people
• An ability to work with others and take direction.
• To be able to use IT
• Demonstrate a positive attitude to change.
• To have an enquiring approach to skill development.

As an employee of West London NHS Trust, you have a responsibility to maintain a sound understanding of, and a commitment to uphold the National Health Service values and principles set out in the NHS Constitution.

West London NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We encourage the thoughtful use of technology as a demonstration of strong time management and a commitment to innovation.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.