Job overview
To work alongside the Occupational Therapist and to carry out either individually or group activities, identified by the occupational therapist which will be aimed at enabling individuals to become more independent, confident and able to cope with problems they encounter because of their mental health problems.
The activities which the post holder plans alongside the occupational therapist are practical activities and will be carried out either within the hospital or in the community. The activities will include relaxation, gaining confidence in using community facilities, social activities and practical living skills such as preparing food and drinks.
The post holder will work with the full multi-disciplinary team and provide groups as part of the team to ensure that the service which we offer helps our patients to regain as much of their independence as possible and to play an active role within their families and the community in which they live.
Main duties of the job
Under the direction of a registered Occupational Therapist the post holder will be expected to:
• Deliver and implement planned and prescribed OT assessment, interventions, treatment programmes, group activities and care packages, within a structured, OT model, under the direction of a registered Occupational Therapist, but without direct supervision.
• Work as an integrated member of the MDT.
• Follow the OT Process of Assessment/Planning/Intervention/Evaluation within the
OT framework and the Model of Human Occupation, (MOHO), with regular senior OT supervision.
• Contribute to MDT assessments and OT assessments that measure clinical outcomes.
Working for our organisation
We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.
Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services. We’re really proud of our #PennineCarePeople and do everything we can to make sure we’re a great place to work.
All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post. We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
If you come and work for us we will offer a range of benefits and opportunities, including:
* Generous annual leave entitlement for Agenda for Change and Medical and Dental staff.
* Flexible working opportunities to support your work/life balance
* Access to Continued Professional Development
* Involvement in improvement and research activities
* Health and Wellbeing activities and access to an excellent staff wellbeing service
* Access to staff discounts across retail, leisure and travel
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Clinical
To deliver prescribed OT interventions and care packages, using skilled
technical/creative work with individual or a group of clients such as:
Direct Treatment Interventions
• Home assessments: support home based assessment as required with qualified OT
• Living skills: e.g. meal planning, cooking, budgeting, health education.
• Social skills: e.g. discussion groups, communication groups, orientation to the community
• Creative therapies: e.g. art, pottery, craft, music, creative movement
• Education: information, technology, literacy, numeracy
• Cognitive skills: e.g. use of specific activity to develop concentration, memory cognition, problem solving sequencing and occupational competence.
• Recreation/leisure activities: promoting the use of community resources, hobbies/interests, gardening, voluntary work skills.
• Health and fitness activities: sport and fitness activities, indoor and outdoor, both on the unit and in the community.
• Specialist therapies: Reiki – delivery of therapeutic interventions within the prescribed OT care package (after undergoing specific training programme).
• To participate in the OT specific professional groups as appropriate and both clinical and professional meetings as directed by the OT/Team Manager or OT lead.
• To meet with registered OT each week for referral allocation and management under the terms of the agreed OT framework within the team.
Clinical Duties and Care
• To implement care packages, care programmes and treatment plans within an occupational therapy framework (MOHO/Social Inclusion Model) that are supervised and established by a qualified OT
• To contribute to team evaluation of interventions.
• To contribute to the evaluation of OT outcomes of OT care packages, using OT assessments available within the model.
• Use activity to motivate and engage service users therapeutically.
• To adapt and influence the therapeutic environment according to the service users’ needs, in order to bring about conditions for change, engagement, participation and inclusion, in accordance with assessed medical and mental health needs.
• Jointly develop and independently deliver group and individual therapies and occupational activity, within a treatment context.
This job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role. Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time. The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process.
Person specification
Education / Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Technical qualifications, e.g. City & Guilds, or NVQ3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent technical / life skills gained through work or personal experience.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience working with people experiencing mental health needs.
* Experience of working with clients in groups
Knowledge
Essential criteria
* Interest and the ability to learn, practice and apply the role of Occupational Therapy TI with clients with mental health needs.
* Knowledge of wide range of therapeutic activity for clients with mental health needs.
* Keen interest in working in a mental health setting.
* Health / Safety and Risk awareness.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
* Knowledge of MOHO (Model of Human Occupation)..
* A comprehensive knowledge of a wide range of therapeutic activity and the role of OT for people with mental health needs.
Work Related Circumstances
Essential criteria
* Willingness to work flexibly.
* Use of a car or access to a means of mobility to travel across the Trust footprint in line with service needs
* Willing to carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the Trust’s Equal Opportunities and Equality and Diversity policies
* Appointments to regulated and controlled activities require an enhanced DBS disclosure.
📝 Application support - We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the on our website.
🌍 Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible role and requirements on the
📬 After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.
✅ If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email
🔍 Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with. These include:
* Identity verification
* Right to work check
* Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
* Professional registration and/or qualification check
* Occupational health assessment
* Employment history and reference validation
All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history and references.
If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.
🚀 Once Checks Are Complete -
The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.
📣 Additional Information -
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.
If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.
If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.
Please note:
* We do not accept unsolicited contact from recruitment agencies. Hiring managers should not be contacted directly.
* We may close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. To ensure your application is considered, please apply as soon as possible.