Occupational Therapy Assistant

An exciting opportunity has arisen for individuals who have an interest in working with service users with a variety of mental health problems. An Occupational Therapy Assistant is required to commence in post at Huyton Core and Cluster, community residential mental health rehabilitation service.
The successful applicant will be expected to work 18.75 hours per week as follows:
3.75 hours on Fridays
7.5 hours on Saturdays
7.5 hours on Sundays
We are looking for a self motivated and caring individual who can facilitate group activities and assist the qualified Occupational Therapy staff as required.
Under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist the post holder will be expected to:
To assist the Occupational Therapist in the provision of a flexible service user centred programme of therapeutic group activities for service users attending the Service. This service will provide social activities through the week and over the weekend including evenings.
To work as part of the multi-disciplinary team ensuring effective relationships with patients and staff.
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 11 million people.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to ‘perfect care’ – care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We’re currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
To work effectively as a member of a team in providing a programme of ward, department or community based therapeutic activities that are flexible according to the changing needs of service users.
To actively engage service users in therapeutic activities to promote independence well-being.
Under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist, or with guidance from a Senior Activity Worker/Co-coordinator the post holder will facilitate and participate in planned group work and individual activities.
Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.
The post holder will be required to work at times single handed under the guidance of the Senior Activity Worker.
To form professional relationships with service users, and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
To give feedback to the team on service users performance/progress in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure including risk factors.
To ensure that up to date written and electronic records are kept and recorded appropriately in accordance with Professional and Trust Standards
To participate, as appropriate, clinical and professional meetings held within the service.
To ensure a safe and well maintained environment in accordance with current Health and Safety legislation, COSHH, and local operational security policies and guidelines.
To adhere to the College of Occupational Therapists Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and the Trust’s policies and guidelines.
In line with Trust guidelines, review and reflect on your own practice and performance through regular participation in professional supervision and personal development planning in accordance with the Trust’s policies and guidelines.
To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff.
To keep a record of your training and development activities.
To participate in clinical governance and quality improvement projects as allocated by the Head OT.
To participate in OT/team audit and evaluation activities as agreed with a Senior Occupational Therapist or Manager.
To maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
To ensure that work is conducted in accordance with the Trust’s Equality and Diversity Strategy and contribute to its development
This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties that fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with the manager.
This job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder.
The post holder is expected to comply with all relevant Trust policies, procedures and guidelines, including those relating to Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety and Confidentiality of Information.
Mersey Care operates a non-smoking policy.