Occupational Therapy Assistant
We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
We take positive action to support disadvantaged groups and also particularly encourage applications from ethnic minorities, disabled and LGBTQIA+ people that are under-represented in our workforce. Furthermore we welcome applications from reservists and ex-armed forces personnel as we recognise the benefits of the values, skills, training and experience that they bring to their work with us.We encourage all applicants to share their equality information with us.
Job overview
An opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) position for applicants with an interest in working on PICU Newton Ward- Clockview Hospital.
The successful applicant will be working as a key member of the occupational therapy service . We are looking for self-motivated and caring individuals who can facilitate group activities, 1:1 sessions and assist the qualified occupational therapy staff as required.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for assisting in the development and delivery of treatment and care plans where appropriate under the direction and supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist and in collaboration with the ward manager.
The post holder will be required to actively work as part of The Multi-Disciplinary Team.
The Post Holder will be expected to work in an innovative way to support the smooth running of the service and will be required to offer individual and group activities alongside Occupational Therapy staff .
The Post Holder will be required to work collaboratively and flexibly with Nursing and Support Worker staff to ensure meeting the diverse needs of service users and the function of the team.
Working for our organisation
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to ‘perfect care’ – care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together.We’re currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Under the direct or indirect Clinical Supervision of a Qualified Occupational Therapist you will undertake the following duties:
To support, with direction, Service Users’ with activities within a community setting. This will be under the supervision of senior Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and consultant psychiatrists.
Undertake specific tasks within Occupational Therapy assessments with Service users using a Person Centred Approach in order to assist the Occupational Therapist to identify appropriate Occupational Therapy interventions.
Work innovatively and effectively and take responsibility for carrying out a range of activities under non directive supervision where the overall goal is clear to support and deliver the provision of a programme of meaningful and purposeful activities.
Be fully involved in The Occupational Therapy Process to ensure Service Users increase their independence and well being through skill and knowledge development and apply clinical reasoning to this approach.
Exercise initiative and independence in carrying out delegated activities at a Professional level.
Be aware of, and apply, the principle of risk assessment and management to all aspects of clinical work including, where appropriate, the provision of information to The Multi Disciplinary Team.
Maintain the health, safety and security of others and contribute to and comply with risk assessment.
To contribute to formal Occupational Therapy record keeping and reports and provide feedback on Service Users occupational functioning. Assist in the development of treatment and care plans where appropriate
Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
Work closely with The Multi Disciplinary Team at all times and involve Nursing Staff and Support workers fully in activity sessions.
To maintain links with other agencies, both statutory and voluntary in order to support recovery and discharge planning
Take some supervisory responsibility for the work of others in the implementation of routine work within identified and agreed scope of practice.
Participate in the management of incidents in line with The Trusts Policy and Procedure.
Collate information about resources – both within the service environment and in the community – for Service Users access/utilisation.
Receive clinical supervision from a Qualified Occupational Therapist on a regular basis.
Maintain a safe working environment with particular regard to the environment and Occupational Therapy resources and equipment.
Person specification
Skills
Essential criteria- Knowledge of creative and leisure skills.
- Ability to work single handed with individuals/groups under supervision.
- Observation skills
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to communicate both written and verbally.
- Positive interpersonal skills
- Ability to be empathic
- Self-aware and ability to seek guidance
- Basic IT Skills
Values
Essential criteria- Continuous Improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change oriented
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria- Able to demonstrate awareness of anti-discriminatory practice and gender sensitive care.
- At least 2 years working in paid or voluntary employment in a health or social care setting.
- Working with people with mental health problems or to have personal experience.
- Working as part of a team
- Relevant skills which will be of benefit to service users.
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Basic numerical and literacy skills equivalent to NVQ level 1
Please ensure you check the email account from which you apply for all correspondence. All information regarding your application will come from apps.trac.jobs not NHS Jobs.
Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our person specification will be shortlisted for interview.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants who consider themselves to be disabled who meet the minimum (essential) criteria for the role in the person specification. If you would like your application to be considered under the Trust’s guaranteed interview scheme you can indicate this in the personal information section of your online application form.
Should you require a reasonable adjustment to our recruitment process please email [email protected] to ensure that measures can be put in place to support you.
We reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.
The Trust expects all post holders who require an enhanced DBS for their role subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration. Trans applicants who require a DBS check and do not want to reveal details of their previous identity can contact the DBS Sensitive Applications Team (01516761452 or email [email protected]) with their application number once they have completed their DBS application form.The team can prevent any previous identity showing on the DBS Certificate, unless the applicant has a conviction under their previous details in which case this will need to be disclosed.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Please be advised that the use of Artificial Intelligence on applications is monitored and if you choose to use this, you must declare this on your application form.
Please note: new entrants to the NHS will commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.Please note: new entrants to the NHS will commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.