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- Tasks: Support patients through creative therapeutic activities in a dynamic team environment.
- Company: Join St Andrew's, a charity dedicated to transforming lives and supporting mental health.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days annual leave, NHS-equivalent sickness policy, and access to gym facilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a supportive and compassionate setting.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required, just a passion for helping others and good communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and training available.
The predicted salary is between 24920 - 26752 £ per year.
Location: Basildon, Essex (This role is based on site)
Salary: From £24,920 - £26,752 (dependent on experience) including Essex Fringe Allowance £1,250
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
We are St Andrew's. We are a thriving charity, and our vision is a society in which everyone living with mental health need is heard, valued and has hope for their future. We help people to overcome barriers, and we work tirelessly to help people in our care to find hope.
Are you full of curiosity and ideas? Are you inspired to do the right thing every day, living by our CARE values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence? Then come join us. Let’s transform lives together.
About the role
We are currently looking for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor. You will work with the OT team on our Psychiatric Intensive Care units (PICU); however, there will be an opportunity to work with other patient groups. Working within this setting will require resilience as it can be a challenging role.
Under the support and guidance of a registered Occupational Therapist, you will use technical and creative skills to provide patient-centred programmes of therapeutic activities, to enable an individual to achieve their goals. You will have the opportunity to undertake training to improve your knowledge and skills to enable you to develop in this OT TI role.
As an Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor, you will have the opportunity to work with a highly motivated Occupational Therapy team. There will be opportunities to be involved in staff training and professional development as well as regular individual supervision from a Senior Occupational Therapist.
You should have:
- An understanding of the role of Occupational Therapy.
- Good team working skills and sound communication skills.
- The ability to work under pressure.
- The ability to build a rapport with a challenging patient group.
- Organisational skills, an ability to take initiative and complete delegated tasks.
- Ability to lead therapeutic activity groups under supervision.
- A positive, non-judgmental attitude and the ability to work well within a team.
We encourage you to make contact with the OT team to talk in more detail about the job role. Our patients and your colleagues will expect you to live the St Andrew's CARE values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence every single day.
Reward and Benefits
We offer an excellent benefits package including: Pension; Sickness policy on par with the NHS; Access to the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts schemes; 35 days annual leave (including bank holidays), increasing after 10 years' service; Life cover; Electric Car lease scheme; Cycle to work scheme; Healthcare cash plan; Free parking; Paid DBS application; Access to free vocational qualifications. On-site facilities such as gym and swimming pool access and cafés all set within beautiful grounds.
Occupational Therapy Assistant - Essex employer: St Andrew's Healthcare
Contact Detail:
St Andrew's Healthcare Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Occupational Therapy Assistant - Essex
✨Tip Number 1
Reach out to the Occupational Therapy team at St Andrew's before applying. This will not only give you insights into the role but also show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the CARE values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Be prepared to discuss how you embody these values in your work during any interviews or conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight any relevant experience you have working with challenging patient groups. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've built rapport and managed difficult situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider preparing a few ideas for therapeutic activities that align with the role. This will demonstrate your creativity and initiative, making you stand out as a candidate who is ready to contribute from day one.
We think you need these skills to ace Occupational Therapy Assistant - Essex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Occupational Therapy Assistant position. Familiarise yourself with the CARE values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence that St Andrew's upholds.
Tailor Your CV: Craft your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. Emphasise your understanding of Occupational Therapy and any previous experience working with challenging patient groups.
Write a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and how your values align with those of St Andrew's. Provide specific examples of how you've demonstrated resilience and teamwork in past roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at St Andrew's Healthcare
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid understanding of what an Occupational Therapy Assistant does, especially in a psychiatric setting. Familiarise yourself with the specific responsibilities and how they align with the CARE values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence.
✨Showcase Your Teamwork Skills
Since this role requires good team working skills, be prepared to discuss examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with others. Highlight any situations where you built rapport with challenging individuals, as this will demonstrate your ability to connect with patients.
✨Demonstrate Resilience
Working in a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit can be challenging. Be ready to talk about how you handle pressure and maintain a positive attitude in difficult situations. Sharing personal anecdotes can help illustrate your resilience and commitment to patient care.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the OT team and the specific challenges they face. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute effectively to their mission of transforming lives.
