At a Glance
- Tasks: Support service users in therapeutic programmes and assist occupational therapists with assessments.
- Company: Join Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, dedicated to mental health recovery.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, training opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: This role offers clinical supervision and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on people's lives while developing your skills in a rewarding field.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Care or equivalent experience with mental health conditions required.
The predicted salary is between 22816 - 24336 € per year.
As an occupational therapy assistant in TEWV, you will provide support to service users (inpatient adult mental health) to engage in a therapeutic programme of care, as delegated by an occupational therapist, demonstrating adherence to the Trust Values at all times and operating as a member of the team, service and organisation.
The D&D Occupational Therapy Hub service is well-established and aims to support personalised recovery plans and work with individuals to help re-establish purposeful and meaningful lives. The successful applicant will work under the direction of qualified Occupational Therapists with a strong focus on delivering high quality evidence-based services that directly support recovery, occupational formulation and occupational engagement delivered as 1:1 or group interventions either on site or in the community.
Main duties of the job:- To be responsible for working with delegated service users and contributing to assessments and interventions to address key occupational areas of self-care, productivity and leisure.
- To engage service users and their carers in therapeutic programmes of care, supporting them in achieving their identified goals and promoting independence and well-being through a client-centred approach.
- To participate in clinical supervision.
- To contribute to multi-disciplinary team working.
- To contribute to safety and quality improvement activities as part of the occupational therapy team.
- To use the Trust electronic patient record system.
- To abide by all Trust policies and procedures.
- To be able to respond flexibly and creatively to challenges.
We are looking for an occupational therapy assistant who can work flexibly to meet service need and has the vision, energy and inspiration to support in the delivery of creative, imaginative solutions to delivering occupational therapy with adults experiencing mental health crisis and their families/carers.
You will access wider support from the occupational therapy network in Durham & Darlington in supporting the delivery of a high quality, needs-led OT service, utilizing your technical and creative skills to engage service users in therapeutic activities and supporting service users/carers to achieve their identified goals.
Job responsibilities:Please refer to the person specification within the attached job description to ensure you meet the essential criteria for the post prior to applying. Applicants must meet the shortlisting criteria to be considered for this post.
The post holder will support occupational therapists in the provision of evidence-based occupational therapy assessment and interventions as part of the OT Pathway and offer input to individuals, their families and carers. All team members must be committed to providing the best possible care for the people we work with and their families/carers.
The ability to engage and communicate with service users as well as the parents/family/carers and system around them is essential. Clinical/Professional supervision is provided by the supervising Occupational Therapist as identified by the relevant Lead OT. The postholder will attend OT Learning and Governance Networks to ensure fidelity to core occupational therapy delivery, enhance CPD and contribute to the wider OT service developments.
You must be able to demonstrate experience of working alongside occupational therapists or experience of paid or voluntary work with people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities, and a keenness to continually develop yourself and others. We will support the use of transferrable skills from a range of clinical settings.
There are varied opportunities for training and development, with CPD needs being identified and monitored through appraisal.
Person Specification:- Qualifications: Relevant NVQ Level 3 in Care or Appropriate AVCE in Health & Social Care or Willingness to undertake within agreed timescale.
- Numeracy, Literacy and ITQ level 2 (or equivalent).
- Experience: Experience of paid or voluntary work with people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities; Experience working alongside occupational therapists.
- Knowledge: Awareness of needs of service users with mental health conditions or learning disabilities; Awareness of the needs of individuals from diverse social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds; Understanding of therapeutic terminology (within agreed timescale); Understanding of a variety of therapeutic approaches (within agreed timescale); Awareness of health & safety issues (within agreed timescale).
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.
Salary: £22,816 to £24,336 a year pro rata, per annum.
Occupational Therapy Assistant in North East employer: Tewv Brits
Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment where occupational therapy assistants can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, the Trust provides numerous training opportunities and encourages a collaborative culture focused on delivering high-quality care to individuals experiencing mental health challenges. Located in a vibrant community, employees benefit from a fulfilling career that not only promotes personal growth but also makes a meaningful impact on the lives of service users and their families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Occupational Therapy Assistant in North East
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific therapeutic approaches used in occupational therapy, especially those relevant to mental health. This knowledge will help you engage more effectively with service users and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former occupational therapy assistants and therapists. They can provide valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of the role, which can help you prepare for interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase any relevant experience you have working with individuals with mental health conditions or learning disabilities. Highlighting this experience during informal conversations or networking events can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss how you would contribute to a multi-disciplinary team. Understanding the dynamics of teamwork in healthcare settings is crucial, so think about examples from your past experiences that illustrate your collaborative skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Occupational Therapy Assistant in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of an Occupational Therapy Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the job description and the specific skills required, such as experience with mental health conditions and working alongside occupational therapists.
Tailor Your CV:Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience and qualifications that align with the job requirements. Emphasise any previous work with mental health service users or in therapeutic settings, and ensure your NVQ Level 3 in Care or equivalent qualifications are clearly stated.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting individuals with mental health challenges. Use specific examples from your experience to demonstrate how you can contribute to the team and the therapeutic programmes at Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.
Proofread Your Application:Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in a healthcare setting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Tewv Brits
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a clear understanding of what an Occupational Therapy Assistant does, especially in the context of mental health. Familiarise yourself with the therapeutic programmes and how they support service users in achieving their goals.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience working with individuals with mental health conditions or learning disabilities. Highlight any relevant skills or situations where you've successfully engaged with service users or supported occupational therapists.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since this role involves working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, be ready to provide examples of how you've collaborated with others in past roles. Emphasise your ability to communicate effectively and contribute positively to team dynamics.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Creativity
The job requires a flexible approach to meet service needs. Prepare to discuss how you've adapted to challenges in previous roles and share creative solutions you've implemented to engage service users in therapeutic activities.
