Job summary
- Main area
- Eating Disorders
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed Term - 12 months)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 301-LBG-25-7306561
- Employer
- Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Redwoods Centre
- Town
- Shrewsbury
- Salary
- £24,625 - £25,674 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Occupational Therapy Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 3
Job overview
Occupational Therapy Assistant
To be part of a multi-disciplinary team member for the newly developed Intensive Outreach Service for Eating Disorders based at The Redwoods Centre, Shrewsbury.
The post holder will be responsible for delivering intensive outreach interventions for this patient group. Interventions will include supported eating in the patient’s home and in the community, shopping, meal preparation and psychoeducation.
Main duties of the job
The post will provide the opportunity to engage patients in a range of therapeutic activities carried out in appropriate community settings and in the patient’s home under the direction of the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist and Operational Manager. The post holder will be part of a multidisciplinary team.
The post holder will carry out intensive outreach programmes set up by the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist and Service Manager and will be expected to implement and evaluate, prioritise and contribute to these programmes under supervision and will be expected to liaise closely with the qualified nurse therapists.
A valid driving license is essential for this role, as the successful candidate will be required to travel between sites/clients/locations as part of their duties.
Working for our organisation
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;
- Supporting your career development and progression
- Excellent NHS Pension scheme
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Options for flexible working
- Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days)
- Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
- If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
- Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
- Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
- Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
- Free car parking at all trust sites
- Free flu vaccinations every year
- Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)
We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
• To work as part of a team providing intensive outreach for the patients and carers referred to the designated area of work. This will involve implementing and modifying programmes which encompass areas which will include self-help, supported eating, communication, independent living and psychoeducation. The Occupational Therapy Assistant will also observe and feedback any relevant information concerning patients and carers to the allocated nurse therapist. To use appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication skills and observation and evaluation of the patient’s progress.
• To be part of a patient centered service where the needs of the individual will determine the types of intervention. This will mean that the post holder will work across a variety of therapeutic activities, supported eating; food preparation; shopping, snacks out, psychoeducation (this is not an exclusive list) to determine appropriate treatment pathways for the patient under the supervision of the Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist.
• To ensure that materials / stocks are ordered in line with plans for future / new group needs and developments.
• To support patients to practice their skills / re gain their confidence within the community which may be done in conjunction with other members of the multidisciplinary team. The staff member will not be expected to undertake these duties alone until the competency to do so has been confirmed and an assessment of risk has been completed by the qualified staff / team.
• To implement treatment programmes according to individual needs and in conjunction with qualified staff. This will entail the use of encouragement, motivation, negotiation reassurance and training skills as well as discussing with patients / carers their progress, as appropriate.
• To work as part of a team and in conjunction with other professionals, statutory agencies and any associated service provision for the patient or carer.
• To develop a professional relationship that is conducive to the patient reaching their full potential, within stated goals.
• Where applicable to engage with families, carers and advocates with a view to supporting them in maintaining consistency with the work undertaken by the patient.
• To be involved in relevant meetings / reviews related to patient’s treatments and service.
• To work within multidisciplinary team / multi-agency in conjunction with the Nurse Therapist and Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist.
• To receive clinical and managerial supervision to maintain best practice. This will include discussion of caseload, reflective practice, and the ability to receive and act on constructive feedback.
• To ensure effective and appropriate face to face, telephone, electronic and written methods of communication are maintained at all times. Clinical excellence can only be achieved through good communication channels with all involved in the patient’s care.
• To develop and implement skills pertinent to the area of work, for example manual handling, equipment management and installation, keyboard skills and driving.
• There may be requirement to work with patients and carers who may display challenging and aggressive behaviour or to work in adverse environmental conditions.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
- English language, literacy and numeracy skills to the standard necessary to provide clear, understandable records on computerised system (RiO) and fulfill job description.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience of working with people with mental health needs as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of Eating Disorders.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Knowledge and awareness of issues relating to mental health, access to mental health services, and mental health promotion.
- Skills in managing situations of high expressed emotions.
- Ability to work independently, being self-motivated and to be able to prioritise and effectively manage a range of competing needs and pressures.
- The ability to recognise own limitations and to effectively utilise supervision and support systems to ensure safe and effective delivery of services.
Desirable criteria
- Relevant and recent experience of working in the community / wards.
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Imagination, determination and receptive to working with and under supervision.
- Willing to accommodate flexible working, and motivated to be solution focused with regard to meeting the competing needs and demands of the service.
- Demonstrates empathy, compassion and patience.
- Demonstrates an ability to form positive therapeutic relationships with service users and carers.
- Demonstrates an ability to make a positive contribution to improving the quality of life for people with mental health problems.
- Demonstrates an ability to act calmly in emergencies and to respond in a professional manner in occasionally stressful and challenging situations.
- Demonstrates ability to work under own initiative and as part of a team.
- Ability to constructively challenge the ‘norm’ to bring about positive changes to improve the service user experience.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Leanne Davies
- Job title
- Advanced Occupational Therapist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01785 783113
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