Occupational Therapy Assistant
Job summary
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) supports the delivery of therapeutic, recreational, and occupationally focused interventions for service users experiencing mental illness, including those with a history of offending.
Based either in the Recovery Hub or on the ward, the OTA works under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist to promote rehabilitation, recovery, and meaningful engagement.As part of the multidisciplinary team, the OTA contributes to the planning and delivery of a diverse and flexible programme of activities, developed collaboratively with service users and colleagues and overseen by an Occupational Therapist.
This includes facilitating 1:1 and group interventions, supporting assessment and care planning through observation and feedback, and ensuring practice remains person-centred and recovery-focused.The OTA also undertakes community-based activities where required to support daily living skills, discharge planning, and wider community engagement.
The role includes exercising appropriate autonomy in delivering therapeutic interventions while maintaining safe environments and upholding high professional standards. Owing to the high volume of applications received, this vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date. Eligible candidates are therefore encouraged to submit their applications at the earliest opportunity.
Main duties of the job
To provide a flexible programme of recreational, vocational and educational activities within the service in collaboration with the Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT), volunteers and sessional workers.
To provide support and engage service users in therapeutic activities to promote recovery, independence and well-being To support the development of a balanced therapeutic ward based programme for service users at different stages of recovery To contribute to the collaborative care planning process, monitoring service users progress, taking account service users goals and aspirations and adjusting interventions accordingly To work independently, facilitating group or individual work, planned with a registered OT.
About us
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provide the widest range of NHS mental health services in the UK as well as substance misuse services for people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. We work closely with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London and are part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre.
There are very few organisations in the world that have such wide-ranging capabilities working with mental illness. Our scope is unique because it is built on three major foundations: care and treatment, science and research, and training. SLaM employ around 5000 staff and serve a local population of 1.1 million people. We have more than 230 services including inpatient wards, outpatient and community services.
Currently, provide inpatient care for approximately 5,300 people each year and treat more than 45,000 patients in the community in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark; as well as substance misuse services for residents of Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities: Clinical To work as an integrated member of the multidisciplinary team by contributing to a programme of therapeutic activities that support a person centred and recovery focused approach to an individuals care and treatment during admission.
To provide individual occupational interventions detailed within an occupationally focused and/or activity-based care plan using specialist technical and engagement skills under the supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist. To inform and assist with the development of occupationally focused and/or activity-based care plans.
Documentation To provide comprehensive written summary within clinical on a persons progress during their admission based on observation and feedback obtained from the service user and others.
To communicate, written and verbally, with external agencies and stakeholders as delegated by the qualified Occupational Therapist Leadership, supervision and appraisal In line with Trust guidelines to hold a high degree of self-awareness and be able to reflect on own clinical practice and performance via regular supervision, annual appraisal, reflective practice sessions and informal supports as required.
To act as a source of support for colleagues, students, sessional workers and volunteers to ensure a safe and effective service is provided. Training staff and students To participate in training and development priorities and opportunities specialist within the service as required. To develop competencies in training and other health and safety requirements aligned to the role, as delegated by the qualified Occupational Therapist or ward teams.
Service development and delivery To ensure that areas are well maintained, kept and comply with health and safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials.
To provide treatment in an environment where security and safety procedures must be strictly adhered to and ensure that legal restrictions associated with the mental health act are incorporated into activity provision Clinical governance, quality, standards To participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects as allocated by the lead Occupational Therapist and ward teams To comply with all Trust policies.
Line management, staff, budgets dept Must be prepared to work some evenings/weekends if required To maintain stock and advise on resources necessary to carry out the job. Research and development As part of a team, incorporate up-to-date techniques and ideas of positive practice into your programme To participate in audit and evaluation activities as agreed with your supervisor.
Training and Development To undertake mandatory and statutory training as required by Trust policy including computing skills, group skills, food handling and Seni Lewis training skills within 12 months of appointment. To contribute and commit to undertaking an annual appraisal.
Person Specification
Qualfications
Essential
Health and social care related qualification above basic level e.g. City & Guilds final certificate, NVQ 3 or 4, Diploma or Degree Evidence of continuing professional and personal development
Desirable
Further education qualification in health / mental health related subject Any relevant therapies qualification e.g. creative arts
Experience · Essential
Demonstrable experience of working in education/mental health/social care setting Working with people with mental health problems and complex needs Experience of working with and/or understanding of Occupational Therapy
Desirable
Experience in working with service users with forensic history
Knowledge · Essential
An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people who experience mental health problems An understanding of the needs of service users from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds Ability to teach practical skills to service users. Understanding of professional conduct/ boundaries Ability to work independently of direct supervision in clinical areas and in community settings
Desirable
Positive interpersonal skills. Ability to develop practical solutions to problems that may arise. Understanding of professional conduct/ boundaries Ability to use own initiative and lone work as per policy Understanding of professional conduct.
Other · Essential
Willingness to develop and advance own learning Able to work flexibly including some evening and weekend work and be open to new ideas and new ways of working Good time management skills Personal resilience To be able to participate in full 5-day Seni Lewis training (physical demand)
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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) .
