Job summary
The North Somerset area of Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) is now seeking an enthusiastic Occupational Therapy Assistant to work within mental health inpatient ward settings, to use their skills to assess and treat people with both mental health and physical problems. This role will provide an opportunity for you to work across Working Age Adults and a Rehabilitation Unit.
Juniper is an acute ward with 18 beds, providing inpatient care to both male and female adults.
Elmham Way is a rehabilitation ward with 7 beds, providing care and support to both male and female adults.
The occupational therapy team is a well-established, integral and valued part of the multi-disciplinary clinical team. The therapies team predominantly provide a Monday to Friday 9-5 service.
The person we recruit will have a broad range of 'life skills', and should be able to engage, motivate, and support service users with mental health needs in a wide range of activities. Ideally you will have some experience in supporting the running of groups or 1:1 sessions in some capacity. In this post, you will work closely with qualified occupational therapists, but also have the opportunity to use your initiative and work independently. You will work to support service users in achieving their potential to function as independently as possible in all aspects of their life.
Main duties of the job
The person we recruit will have a broad knowledge of everyday skills and an interest in a variety of activities. We deliver a comprehensive programme of activities to inspire, encourage and support individuals who have mental health problems on their journey to recovery. As part of the team you will plan and deliver 1:1 or group sessions under the supervision of occupational therapists
The applicant should be an effective communicator who enjoys working alongside people and helping them achieve their goals. They should also be a confident home cook with skills and interests in other practical and creative activities. They will need experience of working with people with mental health problems, or personal knowledge of how mental health problems can affect people.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
1. Work in a collaborative and cooperative manner with service users, their families/carers and other health and social care professionals. Recognise and respect their involvement in the planning and delivery of care.
2. Assist in the maintenance of a safe therapeutic environment beneficial to the needs of the service users, relatives carers and others. Using risk assessment ensure activities provided are suitable for the service user.
3. Contribute to the team approach, providing accurate and relevant feedback to registered staff: participate in team discussions and meetings regarding care of service users.
4. Develop a therapeutic relationship with service users to encourage and maximise their interest and participation in therapeutic activity.
5. Organise day to day activities for groups and individual therapy programmes including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation under the supervision of the mental health professionals.
6. Be responsible for planning your own day to day activities for groups, individual therapy programmes including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.
7. Play a part in preparation of risk assessments; and contribute to team meetings and relevant care planning meetings.
Education & Health Promotion
1. To keep up to date with changing practices and attend relevant training appropriate to the role, using in house training platforms and attending relevant education opportunities.
2. Promote positive attitudes towards mental health.
3.Participate in appraisal and supervision processes from identified Senior Practitioner.
5. Contribute to the learning environment of staff/students.
6. Promote good physical health, supporting smoking cessation, weight management and a healthy lifestyle for service users, refer to specialist colleagues, for advice and more complex cases.
Finance and Workforce.
1. To play a role in making best use of available workforce and material resources and contributing to provision of best therapy possible.
2. Follow Trust and Service Policies relating to the security of the building/clients, to ensure safe practice and protection of clients, staff, visitors and members of the general public.
3. Play a part in the service provision that is both safe and therapeutic within span of developing knowledge.
9. Develop effective time management skills.
Record Keeping and Administration.
To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy and local joint arrangements and professional guidelines. This will include the upkeep of contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with relevant COT Guidelines and Trust Policy.
Practice Development & Clinical Audit
1. To participate with support in clinical audit.
2. Contribute to team and service improvement continuously looking to improve the services we provide
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
1. Work in a collaborative and cooperative manner with service users, their families/carers and other health and social care professionals. Recognise and respect their involvement in the planning and delivery of care.
2. Assist in the maintenance of a safe therapeutic environment beneficial to the needs of the service users, relatives carers and others. Using risk assessment ensure activities provided are suitable for the service user.
3. Contribute to the team approach, providing accurate and relevant feedback to registered staff: participate in team discussions and meetings regarding care of service users.
4. Develop a therapeutic relationship with service users to encourage and maximise their interest and participation in therapeutic activity.
5. Organise day to day activities for groups and individual therapy programmes including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation under the supervision of the mental health professionals.
6. Be responsible for planning your own day to day activities for groups, individual therapy programmes including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation under the supervision of an Occupational Therapist.
7. Play a part in preparation of risk assessments; and contribute to team meetings and relevant care planning meetings.
Education & Health Promotion
1. To keep up to date with changing practices and attend relevant training appropriate to the role, using in house training platforms and attending relevant education opportunities.
2. Promote positive attitudes towards mental health.
3.Participate in appraisal and supervision processes from identified Senior Practitioner.
5. Contribute to the learning environment of staff/students.
6. Promote good physical health, supporting smoking cessation, weight management and a healthy lifestyle for service users, refer to specialist colleagues, for advice and more complex cases.
Finance and Workforce.
1. To play a role in making best use of available workforce and material resources and contributing to provision of best therapy possible.
2. Follow Trust and Service Policies relating to the security of the building/clients, to ensure safe practice and protection of clients, staff, visitors and members of the general public.
3. Play a part in the service provision that is both safe and therapeutic within span of developing knowledge.
9. Develop effective time management skills.
Record Keeping and Administration.
To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with AWP Trust Policy and local joint arrangements and professional guidelines. This will include the upkeep of contemporaneous, chronological and accurate mental health records in accordance with relevant COT Guidelines and Trust Policy.
Practice Development & Clinical Audit
1. To participate with support in clinical audit.
2. Contribute to team and service improvement continuously looking to improve the services we provide
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- A-level or above relevant to post
Desirable
- Practical skills qualification
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of mental health of social care experience
Desirable
- Experience of managing risks
Skills
Essential
- Wide range of practical skills and interest offered (cooking, gardening, fitness etc.)
Desirable
- Experience of organising and running group activities
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- A-level or above relevant to post
Desirable
- Practical skills qualification
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of mental health of social care experience
Desirable
- Experience of managing risks
Skills
Essential
- Wide range of practical skills and interest offered (cooking, gardening, fitness etc.)
Desirable
- Experience of organising and running group activities
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.
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