Description
Priory Hospital Preston is looking to recruit an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join the team to support males and females with acute mental health needs. This is a part time role of 30 hours per week.
Based in Bartle, near Preston, Priory Hospital Preston is a 50-bedded mental health hospital, offering an extensive range of services, delivered across four wards. We can support adult males and females with acute mental health needs and eating disorders, and specialise in the management and treatment of these conditions. Priory's acute services aim to allow more people to be treated closer to home and we support the NHS to repatriate out-of-area patients back to local areas.
What you'll be doing
You will be part of a compassionate team who are committed to our patients wellbeing. We take a personalised approach, using proven therapies to help people move forward with confidence and build a healthier, more fulfilling future. You will play a key part in their recovery, assisting qualified staff with the assessment and implementation of individual patient care plans, undertaking routine tasks and activities as directed or delegated to facilitate wellbeing, dignity and treatment of patients
* Able to effectively and accurately update clinical records and computerised information systems as directed by the Occupational Therapist in a timely manner.
* Record and report patient's involvement in 1:1 and groups. Ensuring any unusual physical, mental or emotional occurrences are promptly referred to senior staff and documented in an appropriate manner.
* Having compassion for the patients and their situation.
* Being proactive, enthusiastic and encouraging with staff and patients, encouraging interactions within groups and activities.
You can find additional information in the attached job description.
What you'll bring to the role
Our work is rewarding but can be challenging, so resilience is key. No two days are the same Your natural empathy will help you support others through both the highs and lows.
The role involves supporting Occupational Therapy (OT) or Specialist Occupational Therapy Assessments (SOTA) during initial assessments and the completion of checklists. The successful candidate will be expected to facilitate a range of group sessions, including psychoeducational groups, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)-informed groups, goal-setting, and life skills training. Experience or training in autism support, DBT, and life skills development would be highly desirable. Candidates should possess GCSEs or O-Levels (grades A–C), a relevant NVQ Level 2 qualification, or have equivalent experience.
For more information about the role, you can email
What we will give you in return
We want you to succeed at Priory and thrive in your role. You will be well supported with regular career conversations. We also offer full training and numerous pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions to help you shape your career with us.
* Free on-site parking
* Supplemented meals
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
* Birthday Holiday - Your Birthday as an extra days annual leave
* Enhanced maternity pay
* Contributory pension scheme
* Flexible benefits including reduced rates and access to new schemes including gym membership, IT technology (laptops / tablets / smartphones) and Healthcare Cash Plan (Simply Health Scheme)
* Access to development opportunities
* Sponsorship of professional qualifications through our Individual Professional Development (IPD) panel
* Leadership & management development
* Long service award
* Refer a friend bonuses
Shortlisting may begin upon receipt of applications, and the Recruiting Manager may close the vacancy early if enough suitable candidates are identified.
About Priory
Priory is the leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care in the UK. We support 26,000 people a year to move towards a healthier future so they can live their lives as fully and independently as possible. We treat more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children's mental health, across our nationwide network of sites. We also support autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities.
With over 13,000 colleagues working at Priory, we have a long and prestigious history, and an unrivalled reputation for making a real and lasting difference to the lives of every individual in our care.
Priory is part of MEDIAN Group, a leading pan-European provider of mental health, specialist care and rehabilitation services, focussed on restoring quality of life through effective, evidenced and data-driven care.
Priory is committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer, read more here.
All roles will be subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI or Disclosure Scotland. We are an equal opportunities employer. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check.
We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. Should we require assistance, we will reach out directly to our 'PSL'