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Job summary

Main area
Perinatal Service
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week
Job ref
301-KM-24-6395578
Employer
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Brockington Parent and Baby Unit, St Georges Hospital
Town
Stafford
Salary
£25,147 - £27,596 Pro Rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
05/07/2024 17:00
Interview date
19/07/2024

Employer heading

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust logo

Occupational Therapy Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 4

Job overview

Do you have previous experience working as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, or related work such as nursing/care or AHP assistant?


Do you have experience of supporting people with mental health conditions, neurodevelopmental conditions (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia) or learning disabilities?


If so we would love to hear from you as we are looking for an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our team working within a specialist perinatal multidisciplinary team working with women  and families on the ward, in the local area, or client’s home.

You will be delivering a high quality clinical service to patients and their families, offering occupational therapy interventions in accordance with an agreed care plan.  Working with an identified group of people experiencing mental health related difficulties in the perinatal period under the guidance of a qualified Occupational Therapist.

Main duties of the job

  • To carry a designated caseload which remains the responsibility of the registered Occupational Therapist, often working without direct supervision in a variety of community settings, including the service users own home and in the community i.e. library

  • To provide occupational therapy support to service users who have a range of perinatal mental health conditions to enable them to maintain, restore or create a balance between their abilities and the demands of their occupation and environment in the areas of self-care, productivity and leisure. 

  • To engage service users and their carers in co-produced/planned therapy programmes and encourage them in a compassionate manner, towards achieving their identified goals and to promote independence and well-being through a client centred approach.

  • To provide the best possible experience for service users and carers. 

  • To show commitment to and participate in quality improvement activities. 

  • To promote at all times a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.

  • To promote at all times a positive image of the occupational therapy service/neighbourhood and the wider Trust.

Working for our organisation

By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping  your communities and in return for this, we will support you by; 

  • Supporting your career development and progression
  • Excellent NHS Pension scheme
  • Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
  • Options for flexible working
  • Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional leave
  • Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
  • If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
  • Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
  • Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
  • Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
  • Free car parking at all trust sites
  • Free flu vaccinations every year
  • Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)

And more. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further information relating to this position please refer to attached job description and specification 

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience working as an Occupational Therapy assistant, working alongside Occupational Therapists, or closely related work e.g. nursing/care or AHP assistant.
  • Experience of supporting people with mental health conditions, neurodevelopmental conditions (Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia) or learning disabilities
  • Experience working as part of a team.
  • Experience of actively engaging in a supervision system.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of presenting to groups of people.
  • Experience of running group sessions.
  • Experience of delivering training packages

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent)
  • Qualifications amounting to 104 UCAS points or above
Desirable criteria
  • Qualification in fitness i.e. exercise to music or a willingness to train

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Basic knowledge of equipment used in occupational therapy.
  • Basic therapeutic terminology and therapeutic procedures.
  • Basic knowledge of a range of activities/occupations.
  • Basic understanding of motivation.
  • Evidence base supporting frequently used assessment & treatment interventions.
  • Basic understanding of the needs and difficulties of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities.
  • Safeguarding requirements for vulnerable adults and children.
  • Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act. Understanding of health & safety issues.
  • Understanding of the needs of individuals from diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
  • Ability to communicate information (verbal and written) effectively in a manner appropriate to the individual and situation.
  • Ability to successfully engage individuals in a variety of activities/occupations.
  • Time management and ability to prioritise effectively.
  • Good observational skills and ability to describe such observations verbally and in writing.
  • Record Keeping.
  • Ability to relate therapeutically to the needs of the service user group.
  • Ability to adapt treatment using own initiative.
  • Ability to lead a therapy group session.
  • Specific skills in one or more areas of occupational performance.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with members of the MDT to provide an effective service.
  • Breakaway techniques.
Desirable criteria
  • Ability to plan and organise a given caseload and prioritise effectively.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Harriet Lambah-Heap
Job title
Ward Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01785 221560
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