Occupational Therapy Assistant - North East Derbyshire CMHTs
NHS AfC: Band 3
Main area: OTA Grade NHS AfC: Band 3 Contract Permanent Hours. 30 hours per week (Monday-Friday 9-5). Job ref 383-ACC-7402-26.
Site: Bolsover and Clay Cross Adult CMHT and Killamarsh CMHT, Town Bolsover, Derbyshire. Salary £25,760 – £27,476 pa, pro rata, yearly. Closing 31/05/2026 23:59.
Job overview
An opportunity is available for an enthusiastic Band 3 Occupational Therapy Assistant to join the multidisciplinary team at North East Derbyshire Community Mental Health Teams, based in Bolsover.
As a member of the team you will adopt the service’s policies and philosophy, providing high‑standard person‑centred care, promoting recovery and social inclusion within a trauma‑informed framework. The CMHT offers compassionate treatment for people with moderate to severe mental health problems, including complex needs related to neuro‑diversity, trauma, sensory needs and physical healthcare needs.
Main duties of the job
* Engage service users, leveraging good interpersonal skills.
* Collaborate with colleagues to support the delivery of an Occupational Therapy service for clients.
* Facilitate individual and group sessions where appropriate.
* Provide service‑users with suitable challenges.
* Work independently, using initiative and seeking support from Occupational Therapists as required.
* Plan and carry out individual and group interventions guided by individual service‑user needs.
* Support the Occupational Therapist with assessment and treatment processes.
* Participate in team tasks to maintain service functions.
* Support clients to develop independence, ADL and social skills.
* Develop your skills and knowledge through available training.
Working for our organisation
Benefits include:
* Commitment to flexible working where possible.
* 27 days annual leave/year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years of service.
* Annual appraisal and commitment to ongoing training.
* Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits.
* Health service discounts and online benefits.
* Incremental pay progression.
* Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7.
* Access to our LGBTI+ network, BAME Network and Christian Network.
* Health and wellbeing opportunities.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* The post holder will contribute to the delivery of a quality occupational therapy service, working as a member of the multi‑disciplinary team with the support and supervision of occupational therapists.
* Develop a working knowledge of the occupational therapy process.
* Build awareness of the recovery philosophy and the social inclusion agenda, promoting autonomy and enabling choice.
* Plan and carry out individual and group interventions within a specific remit (e.g., sporting, creative, domestic or technical activities).
* Undertake a range of activities, working flexibly in accordance with the needs of service‑users and the service as a whole.
* Maintain dedicated time for practical activities and demonstrate effective time management when preparing sessions and writing notes.
* Accept referrals from the occupational therapy team according to agreed referral systems and care pathway.
* Assist in facilitating service‑user responsibility and choices for occupational participation, and the ability to determine their own lifestyle.
* Contribute to occupational and clinical risk assessments, reporting findings to the occupational therapy team.
* Report any changes in occupational functioning that may indicate either positive or negative effects of treatment.
* Assist in the co‑ordination of care by communicating effectively and ensuring that trust professional guidelines for record‑keeping are followed.
* Ensure that assessment and treatment is delivered in a person‑centred manner ensuring the gender, sexual orientation, ethnic, cultural and spiritual needs of service users are adhered to.
* Participate in a multi‑professional/agency approach to care, valuing the interface of professional roles and responsibilities.
* Use effective interpersonal skills that relate to service users, carers and team members on an equal and respectful basis.
* Participate in the development of the occupational therapy structure, attending appropriate staff meetings.
* Demonstrate awareness of the trust policy for clinical supervision; receiving regular clinical supervision.
* With the support of the occupational therapy team, ensure good practice is maintained by identifying practice that requires change or development or that does not meet required standards.
* Be aware of and work within all legislative requirements relevant to occupational therapy (Mental Health Act, Code of Practice, Human Rights Act, Disability Discrimination Act etc), and ensure that child and adult protection procedures are followed.
* Maintain safety standards and take responsibility for organising and maintaining a specific work environment (e.g., kitchen, craft area, activity rooms and garden).
* Advise the ward manager and clinical lead OT of materials and equipment required for a designated area of work and assist in ordering resources within a specified budget.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Relevant practical qualification (e.g., BTEC, City and Guilds, NVQ3 or equivalent) or relevant training/experience.
* Experience of working with people with mental health needs.
* Food hygiene level 2.
* Customer care experience.
* Experience of working in an occupational therapy setting.
* Experience of working in a community setting.
Experience, Knowledge and Skills
* Group work skills, e.g., planning and facilitation of groups.
* Experience of working in a mental health setting.
* Good IT skills, written and verbal communication.
* Ability to implement plans of care.
* Knowledge of using electronic patient records.
* Experience of using sensory modulation interventions.
Flexible Working
As a flexible working friendly organisation we are open to discussing arrangements such as job share, part time, or other flexible patterns that best suit both the service and the employee.
Disability Confident Employer
The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer. If you require reasonable adjustments to support you in the recruitment process, please let us know.
DBS Checks
The cost of undertaking a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) disclosure will be met by the individual. The Trust will meet the initial costs of the disclosure, which will be deducted from your first month’s salary.
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