Occupational Therapy Assistant

Blossom Ward is a later life inpatient ward based in North View, on the North Manchester General Hospital site. It is part of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust.
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated, and keen team player to undertake the role of Occupational Therapy Assistant.
The post holder will work, under the direction, guidance and supervision of registered occupational therapist, to support the delivery of an effective occupational therapy service to clients on the ward.
Using a person centred and recovery focused approach, the post holder will support patients to achieve their identified goals. The primary role of the occupational therapy assistant is to enable the individual to live as independently as possible and to participate within socially valued roles.
The post holder will be expected to work independently with the patient on the ward and in the community. They will contribute to occupational assessments and undertake interventions on an individual and group basis as agreed with the occupational therapist and the multi-disciplinary team., The aim of the many interventions you will be delivering with supervision and support from qualified Occupational Therapy staff are recovery and independence.
The post holder will be a valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, the role involves working directly with service users and carers, as part of a multidisciplinary team which provides care, treatment, and support to people with a functional and organic mental illness in line with the relevant clinical pathways.
This job description is not exhaustive. The tasks described below are representative of the duties it is expected the post holder will undertake within the grade range of the post. Job content will be reviewed as necessary in consultation with the post holder, to reflect the changing nature of the post.
The successful candidate will provide support, advice, and practical assistance to an allocated group of service users under the direction of a qualified member of the staff team, following an agreed and shared care plan.
The role will include the requirement to work Monday to Friday within normal working hours 9-5pm., The post holder will be a key member of the MDT, working directly with service users under the care of the inpatient team, as part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team which provides care, treatment, and support to people with a functional and organic mental health diagnoses.
Clinical responsibilities include:
1. To work as part of the integrated multi-disciplinary team in the treatment and recovery of patients.
2. To promote the social inclusion of clients within the communities of their choice.
3. With guidance, collect relevant information to support the occupational therapy assessment process.
4. Under supervision, implement identified elements of the treatment plan; supporting the client to overcome their own individual barriers. This may take place in a ward or community-based setting.
5. Where appropriate, support clients to safely and confidently use adaptations and equipment assessed for, and provided by, the occupational therapist.
6. To monitor patients' progress and skill development under the guidance and supervision of registered occupational therapist; reporting back to the multi-disciplinary team as required.
7. To observe patients' abilities, responses and behaviour, reporting back to the multi-disciplinary team as required.
8. When appropriate, assist in preparing an appropriate environment for treatment/therapy and tidying up afterwards
9. To carry out duties in such a way that maintains clients' privacy and dignity, values diversity and respects cultural needs and individual rights and choices.
10. To encourage patient and carer involvement in care planning, supporting service delivery which is sensitive to the needs of families and carers.
11. To work to Trust policies and procedures.
Please see attached job description and person specification for further details., We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we'd love to hear from you.

Education & Qualifications
Essential
+ NVQ/QCF Level 3 or equivalent demonstrable experience.
Experience
Essential
+ Experience of working with people with mental health needs
+ Working in a team
Desirable
+ Proven ability to support patients to engage in therapeutic activities
+ Experience of planning, running and evaluating groups
+ Experience of working with older people with cognitive impairment
Skills
Essential
+ Range of practical skills which are relevant to the post
+ Ability to engage and motivate individuals who are experiencing difficulties in activities of daily living
+ Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with a broad spectrum of individuals both verbally and in writing
+ Good interpersonal skills
+ An understanding of health and social care issues relating to older people, Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer., If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment. Please contact our Recruitment Team for more information.

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) is one of the leading mental health trusts in the UK.
Serving a population of 1.2million people, across one of the most exciting and affordable cities in Europe, GMMH provides community and inpatient mental health care, alongside prison in reach, substance misuse services, a specialist centre for mental health and deafness and inpatient perinatal mental health care.
The Trust employs around 5700 people, who make a difference across 130 locations. Staff at GMMH work to improve lives with a culture based on five core values:
+ We are caring and compassionate
+ We inspire hope
+ We work together
+ We value and respect
+ We are open and honest
GMMH is one of the most active research trusts in the UK, with one of the highest levels of recruitment to clinical trials for mental health.
We have been rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission. Our substance misuse services and leadership were rated as 'Outstanding', The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Saturday (midnight to midnight) and any week day after 8pm and before 6am
All time on Sundays and Public Holidays (midnight to midnight)
1
Time plus 47%
Time plus 94%
2
Time plus 41%
Time plus 83%
3
Time plus 35%
Time plus 69%
4 - 9
Time plus 30%
Time plus 60%
+ 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
+ Excellent pension
+ Cycle to work scheme
+ Salary sacrifice car scheme
+ Wellbeing programme
+ Blue Light Card Discounts
+ fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)