Occupational Therapy Clinical Support Assistant
We have an exciting and rewarding post for an Occupational Therapy assistant (OTA) at our Amberstone Hospital, part of the East Sussex Rehabilitation Pathway.
We are looking for a friendly, positive, enthusiastic, team player who would like to join the Occupational Therapy team and wider ward MDT to support the wellbeing and recovery of people who come to stay to manage their mental health, predominately Psychosis.
You will be working under the guidance of the Occupational Therapists to offer individual and group interventions that help people engage in activities that support people reach their rehabilitation goals and increase their quality of life. We run a group programme, offer one to one sessions with our aim being to encourage integration into the community and promote independence.
Main duties of the job
You will work under the guidance of an OT, while working independently and using your initiative. The role focuses on supporting service users in their recovery, helping achieve meaningful goals through treatment plans.
Completing basic functional ADL assessments, monitoring and reviewing progress, delivering interventions such as 1to1 sessions and graded activities. Good communication, IT and administrative skills are essential.
Support service users to access community resources and opportunities, including vocational activities, benefits, transport and social inclusion. Liaising with community organisations and services is an important part of the role.
Leading therapeutic groups including coffee mornings, cooking, gardening and community-based activities. There should be creativity, flexibility and the ability to develop engaging activities are highly valued.
Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties, particularly psychosis, is desirable. We are looking for a motivated individual who understands recovery-focused practice and is committed to supporting people to achieve their goals. Regular OT supervision will be provided.
The ability to travel with patients is essential due to the role and location. A pool car and minibus are available. This is a full-time post, usually 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, with one late shift each week and working one weekend in four, with time off in lieu.
About us
East Sussex Care Delivery Service (CDS) provides specialist community and inpatient mental health services for adults over the age of 18, living within East Sussex. We believe in providing outstanding quality, safe and effective care and treatment that everyone can be proud of.
Amberstone is a 28 bed Recovery and Rehabilitation unit, situated in rural East Sussex (approximately 2 miles from Hailsham and 8 miles north of Eastbourne) and provides rehabilitation for adults who are recovering from serious mental illness, with a focus on patients under the Psychosis Pathway. The focus is to enable people to reach their full potential and achieve a smooth transition into the community. The ward works closely with Community Rehabilitation colleagues as an integral part of the award-winning East Sussex Rehabilitation Pathway.
Wide range of training opportunities within the Trust- including opportunity to apply for the OT apprenticeship in the future.
Job responsibilities
Key responsibilities:
- To work under the guidance of an Occupational Therapist (OT) in the delivery of clinical interventions using a range of technical and creative skills to engage clients in occupational activities
- To monitor the client progress and feedback to the OT
- Under the supervision of an OT, facilitate and participate in planned group work, individual activities, one to one rehabilitation practise and ongoing continuous assessment with supervision
- Contribute to occupational therapy assessments e.g. Activity of Daily Living Assessments (ADL) and treatment plans under the guidance of an OT
- Provide a range of activities, including evening and weekends, instructing and guiding clients with more complex needs to support them in achieving identified occupational therapy goals, with some supervision.
- To contribute to the generic tasks of the team as directed by a registered OT
- To actively promote client centred OT interventions using a recovery focused, enabling approach
Person Specification
Qualifications
- A recognised qualification in an area related to the workplace or equivalent technical/life skills
- Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning
- Health care or relevant NVQ level 3 or equivalent skills
Knowledge
- Experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity
- Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties
- Experience of being supervised
- Experience running groups/activities
- Experience training others in technical/leisure/ creative skills
Skills
- Establish and Maintain communication with people on routine matters
- Provide and receive confidential client information
- Computer skills to collate and report client progress on daily basis
- Experience of lone working
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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