Occupational Therapy Assistant - Band 3 in Barnsley

Hi, I'm Jo, and I'm really pleased you're looking at this opportunity. I've worked in this Trust for 17 years, and what keeps me here is the people – the staff and the individuals we support. This team are a supportive group who genuinely look out for one another. Everyone's person‐centred approach shines through every day. If you're passionate about making a real difference, and want to feel part of something meaningful, this could be the right place for you.

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative. Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high‐quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non‐clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers. We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities. Being a foundation Trust means we are accountable to our members, who can have a say in how we are run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust. Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

We are looking for a caring, confident and competent Occupational Therapy Assistant who will be responsible for providing therapeutic interventions and activity for individuals currently in receipt of inpatient mental health care. In this role you will work alongside an occupational therapy team, a multidisciplinary team and will be supported to develop your clinical and professional competencies within a stimulating learning environment.

• Under the supervision/direction of registered health‐care professionals/associate practitioner, perform delegated interventions and care tasks, for which you have received training, seeking support as and when necessary.
• Provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care that maximises recovery and rehabilitation potential.
• Demonstrate sensitivity, empathy and active listening skills, maintaining positive and appropriate relationships with people at all times.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes required for the designated group of service users.
• Follow a care plan, advise and guide service users, family and carers, making appropriate adjustments within your competence and skill set and communicating any changes to registered professionals.
• Concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan; this may include work requiring physical effort while following risk assessment and health & safety procedures.
• Exercise independence, initiative and judgement, considering different approaches when delivering tasks and resolving potential problems within your competence.
• Ensure the care experienced is positive and service‐user safety is maintained, treating everyone with respect, dignity and courtesy in accordance with the Trust's Values.
• Provide observations to the registered professional/clinical team to contribute to the care/treatment planning process.
• Implement treatment/care within well‐established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and clinical care plans within your competence.
• Assist in organising and participating in therapeutic groups and activities, as delegated.
• Apply basic knowledge of longer‐term health conditions within the remit of care planning, providing advice, support and feedback to a registered professional.
• Undertake physical aspects of care such as moving and handling, using equipment (hoists, wheelchairs, etc.) with appropriate instruction.
• Assist in dealing with verbal/physical aggression using de‐escalation techniques, including RRPI techniques as appropriate to the ward or community role.
• Attend to the service‐user's personal care needs as required.
• Participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing seven‐day care (as appropriate to the role/service).
• Work independently on your own caseload, supporting service‐users in their recovery journey.
• Maintain records, perform stock control, replenish supplies and keep therapy areas and equipment in good order.

Visa sponsorship under the Health and Care Worker visa route can only be considered if the prorated salary meets the minimum threshold of £25,000, as required by UK Visas and Immigration. For Band 3 roles, only full‐time positions at the top of the pay scale meet this threshold; therefore, sponsorship may not be possible depending on salary increment placement and working hours.

Physical Attributes: A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to fairness and equality of opportunity). Must fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (reasonable adjustments if necessary).

Special Knowledge/Skills (Essential):

• Demonstrates excellent customer care skills.
• Enthusiastic and able to work flexibly on a 24‐hour shift pattern.
• Commits to safe decision‐making skills commensurate with the role.
• Excellent communicator; good IT/keyboard skills.
• Understands diversity and cultural issues.
• Knows confidentiality responsibilities.
• Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional or hazardous situations (eg, verbal aggression, body fluids).
• Non‐judgemental, empathetic manner; demonstrates Trust Values.
• Excellent interpersonal, administration and organisational skills.
• Able to use observation skills to identify potential service‐user or environmental risks and act appropriately.
• Must have completed value‐based induction.

Special Knowledge/Skills (Desirable): Language skills other than English. Experience of supervising/inducting others.

Personal Attributes (Essential): Responsive attitude and approach. Dress appropriately for the environment. Ability to travel around the Trust as needed.

Training (Essential): Willing and able to undertake all Trust mandatory training and subsequent refresher training. Commitment to service‐user safety, including violence & aggression prevention & management, moving and handling, etc.

Experience (Essential): Providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs. Working in a caring environment at a Band 2 or equivalent level of competence. Dealing with the public, working as an effective team member, demonstrating initiative, decision‐making and prioritisation skills. Evidence of a commitment to user/carer involvement.

Qualifications (Essential): GCSE Level A‐D or grade 3‐9 in English and Maths or equivalent. Level 2 qualification / working towards Level 3. Care Certificate (or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement).

Qualifications (Desirable): Apprenticeship Level 3 or equivalent (eg, RQF/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care). Experience in the speciality area. Willingness to undertake further study.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check to identify any previous criminal convictions.