Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job summary

The Occupational Therapy Team at Cavell Centre are currently looking to recruit an enthusiastic and well-motivated Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) to join our team in adult inpatient mental health care. The successful candidate will assist in the delivery of high-quality, person-centred and evidence-based Occupational Therapy interventions to individuals on multiple adult wards.

There has never been a better time to apply to join our team as we continue to work towards our goal of being an outstanding, innovative and dynamic therapy service. It is imperative that the post holder share in our collective team values and principles of personal recovery, unconditional positive regard for our patients and person-centred care.

The ideal candidate will have a compassionate, optimistic, flexible and creative approach to supporting people from a range of diverse backgrounds. The role requires excellent communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively within a team, strong motivational skills, an inclusive attitude, an openness to innovation and the ability to work sensitively, professionally, and safely in an emotive area of practice.

Main duties of the job

As an OTA, you will be supporting patients through the provision of individual targeted interventions and group sessions to overcome barriers and challenges caused by their experience of mental health issues, using a positive, optimistic, and strength-based approach.

Under the support, guidance, and supervision of the Occupational Therapists, you will provide individuals with meaningful opportunities to establish or regain identity and competence through personal, collaborative goals following reablement, personal recovery and Occupational Therapy principles and values. Supervision and internal training will be provided to support you to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

This post would be highly suitable for an individual considering a future career as an Occupational Therapist and offers significant personal development and mentoring opportunities.

About us

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high-quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting andempowering them to lead a fulfilling life.

Our clinical teams deliver many NHS services, not only via inpatient and primary care settings, but also within the community. These services include children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, research and development.

To achieve our goal, we look to recruit high-calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all sectors of the community, particularly from under-represented groups including disabled people and members of ourethnic minority andLGBTQ+ communities.

Please be advised we reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date should we receive sufficient applications.

Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all our job roles. If you apply for a role that we cannot offer sponsorship for, unfortunately, your application form will be rejected from the process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.

• The format for interventions will include both group-based and targeted individual 1:1 session. These may be held in ward-based environments, the community or within the persons own home.
• Interventions will focus on supporting/promoting independence through person-centred goals in areas such as daily living skills, self-care, leisure activities, vocation, social inclusion, developing coping strategies, and building support networks.
• You will need to be able to communicate your observations, analysis, and evaluation of the interventions you have facilitated to the Occupational Therapists and other appropriate staff members (E.g., Doctor, Psychologist, Nurse in Charge).
• You will need to be able to use electronic records to document your observations, analysis, and evaluations of the interventions you have facilitated.
• To support the Occupational Therapists with home visits and community-based assessments when required.
• To undertake regular supervision with an Occupational Therapist to support refection, person and professional development, identify any issues, monitor progress, maintain standards, develop new skills/learning, encourage innovation and to reflect on your own well-being at work.
• To work in a manner that is reflective and consistent with the CPFT PRIDE values.

Person Specification

Education & qualifications

Essential

• NVQ level 3 qualification in care, specific technical skill, or equivalent qualifications (E.g., 2 A-Levels A-C or higher)

Desirable

• Undergraduate Advanced Diploma or Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Degree.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people who have mental health difficulties, or significant interest in doing so

Desirable

• Previous experience within Occupational Therapy department
• Lived experience of mental health challenges
• Experience in the delivery of targeted therapeutic interventions for mental health (one to one and in groups)

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Knowledge of common mental health difficulties
• An understanding of the impact of mental health difficulties on the individuals functioning
• To have a clear understanding of boundaries of the responsibilities of the role
• A strong desire to expand on current knowledge and understanding within this role
• A positive approach and attitude towards patient care and interventions
• To record information clearly and accurately
• Clear communication skills both written and verbal
• To have ability to negotiate and advocate on behalf of client
• To work with conflict and change
• To undertake/seek out professional supervision as required

Desirable

• Knowledge of Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Kind, empathetic and patient
• Motivated towards personal and professional development
• Able to make professional relationships with wider MDT on wards

Other

Essential

• To join value and join in our shared values of personal recovery, meaningful therapeutic interventions and person-centred care

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cavell Centre

Bretton Gate

Peterborough

PE39GZ

Employer's website

https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

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