Job summary
Luton Centre for Mental Health, Calnwood Road, Luton, LU4 0FBUnited Kingdom
Band 3 Occupational Therapy Assistant
Full Time - 37.5 hours per week
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join the established Occupational Therapy team in the working age Adult Acute Mental Health Service. This service supports people with sever and enduring mental health conditions within Luton and Bedfordshire.
We are looking for someone who understands mental health, can work with individuals with severe and enduring mental health conditions, and is skilled in Occupational Therapy. The post holder will be responsible for providing Occupational Therapy intervention under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist on the ward.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work alongside the occupational therapist to promote and facilitate the OT programme both on the ward through 1:1 intervention, group work, and enabling clients in accessing relevant local community resources which would support their discharge. You will also work closely with a well-established multi-disciplinary team on the ward
About us
You will be part of a larger OT service, with a focus on investment in staff development and well-being. A planned and supportive induction period will be developed to enable you to reach your full potential in your role. Regular managerial and professional supervision will be provided and you will have monthly opportunities to participate in the service's OT CPD events and shape service development through quality improvement. Professional development and training are actively encouraged through the appraisal process.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work alongside qualified OT staff to jointly co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the Occupational Therapy service and provide a robust, high quality delivery of the clinical service on Adult acute inpatient wards.
Input into OT service planning and development and lead on implementation as appropriate.
Work alongside and feedback to a well-established MDT.
Develop specialist knowledge and skills in working with individuals with severe and enduring mental health conditions.
To be aware of community resources, including within the trust, local authority and third sector organisations in order to refer patients and support their engagement in preparation for discharge.
Please see full job description and person specification for more details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To work alongside qualified OT staff to jointly co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the Occupational Therapy service and provide a robust, high quality delivery of the clinical service on Adult acute inpatient wards.
Input into OT service planning and development and lead on implementation as appropriate.
Work alongside and feedback to a well-established MDT.
Develop specialist knowledge and skills in working with individuals with severe and enduring mental health conditions.
To be aware of community resources, including within the trust, local authority and third sector organisations in order to refer patients and support their engagement in preparation for discharge.
Please see full job description and person specification for more details.
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Desirable
- NVQ and/or B Tech in Care Related skills.
- G.C.S.E.
- Qualification in relevant practical skills.
Experience
Essential
- Good interpersonal and motivational skills
- Observation skills
- Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing
- Ability to consider client's needs in practical terms
- Ability to problem solve within a team and take responsibility for implementing decisions
- Ability to use own initiative and work alone at times
- Ability to plan and organise group and 1:1 activities
- Ability to organise own time and plan tasks
- Craft/creative/practical skills e.g. gardening, woodwork, cookery and pottery
Desirable
- Word processing skills, e.g. Windows
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Active use of practical/creative skills
- Basic understanding of needs and concerns of people with mental health problems
- Understanding of varying needs of clients from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds
- Basic understanding of O.T. and ability to learn about the OT process
- Understanding of the role of administrative procedures in the running of an OT Service
- Knowledge of Equal Opportunities legislation, and its' implications for work with service users and other staff members
Desirable
- Planning and running groups
- Working experience with record keeping systems
Other
Essential
- Approachable manner face-to-face
- Willing to follow instructions from other staff
- Interest in Willing to take responsibility for administrative and departmental duties as appropriate.
- Willing to work with multi-cultural group
- Willing to reflect on own practice and use supervision appropriately
- Willing to work as part of a team and share information appropriately
- Good attendance record
- Punctual, good timekeeper
Desirable
- Balance of interests and support outside work sphere
Person Specification
Education/ Qualification/ Training
Desirable
- NVQ and/or B Tech in Care Related skills.
- G.C.S.E.
- Qualification in relevant practical skills.
Experience
Essential
- Good interpersonal and motivational skills
- Observation skills
- Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing
- Ability to consider client's needs in practical terms
- Ability to problem solve within a team and take responsibility for implementing decisions
- Ability to use own initiative and work alone at times
- Ability to plan and organise group and 1:1 activities
- Ability to organise own time and plan tasks
- Craft/creative/practical skills e.g. gardening, woodwork, cookery and pottery
Desirable
- Word processing skills, e.g. Windows
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Active use of practical/creative skills
- Basic understanding of needs and concerns of people with mental health problems
- Understanding of varying needs of clients from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds
- Basic understanding of O.T. and ability to learn about the OT process
- Understanding of the role of administrative procedures in the running of an OT Service
- Knowledge of Equal Opportunities legislation, and its' implications for work with service users and other staff members
Desirable
- Planning and running groups
- Working experience with record keeping systems
Other
Essential
- Approachable manner face-to-face
- Willing to follow instructions from other staff
- Interest in Willing to take responsibility for administrative and departmental duties as appropriate.
- Willing to work with multi-cultural group
- Willing to reflect on own practice and use supervision appropriately
- Willing to work as part of a team and share information appropriately
- Good attendance record
- Punctual, good timekeeper
Desirable
- Balance of interests and support outside work sphere
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
