Job summary
- Main area
- OTA
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Shift Work)
- Job ref
- 383-ACA-5612-25
- Employer
- Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Radbourne Unit & Carsington Unit
- Town
- Derby
- Salary
- £24,625 - £25,674 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 07/05/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Occupational Therapy Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 3
Want to make a real difference and have a truly rewarding career? Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of ‘making a positive difference in people's lives’.
We’ve been rated ‘good’ overall by the CQC, with some outstanding services. The CQC commented at our most recent inspection on how our colleagues “treated patients with compassion and kindness” and “felt positive and proud about working for the trust.
We are passionate about making equality, diversity and inclusion part of our DNA. We take pride in our “People First Culture” which creates a workplace where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging, difference is celebrated, and people are comfortable to bring their whole selves to work. We value the richness that comes from having colleagues that are fully representative of the local community. We welcome people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, protected characteristics, and with all backgrounds and experiences.
Job overview
Derbyshire Healthcare NHS foundation Trust, we are seeking to recruit three motivated Band 3 Occupational Therapy Assistants, to join our adult acute inpatient mental health teams. The positions are available on Robin Ward (female acute) Wren Ward (male acute) and Psychiatric Intensive care (PICU).
Our services offer assessment and treatment for patients who require support in an inpatient setting. The service focuses upon recovery and prevention approach for the population of Derby City and Southern Derbyshire. The team are committed to delivering high quality, evidence based person centred care.
The post frequently involves working alone or in a group setting and the post holder will be supervised in order to promote social inclusion, enabling independence, and enhancing the autonomy of the service user. This will involve initiating and sustaining a respectful, consistent and reliable therapeutic relationship with service users that enhances their ability to build social networks and work in partnership with other agencies.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking to recruit an individual who can work flexibly around the needs of our service and is able to work unsociable hours which will include weekends and shift work.
- We are looking for a dynamic individual with good interpersonal skills to enable engagement of service users.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to support the delivery of an Occupational Therapy service on the ward for patients who are acutely unwell.
- Facilitating individual and group sessions, where appropriate.
- Providing service-users with appropriate challenges.
- Working independently and ability to use initiative, seeking support as required from Occupational Therapists.
- Plan and carry out individual and group interventions as guided by the individuals' service user needs.
- Support the Occupational Therapist with the assessment and treatment process
- Work as a member team, supporting shared tasks when this is required to maintain the service functions.
- Participate in MDT discussions, and document decision made.
Working for our organisation
Join 'Team Derbyshire Healthcare' and become part of a talented, compassionate and enthusiastic workforce committed to a vision of ‘making a positive difference in people's lives’.
CQC rated us as 'GOOD’ overall, commenting on how our colleagues “treated patients with compassion and kindness” and “felt positive and proud about working for the trust.”
Benefits include:
- Commitment to flexible working where this is possible
- 27 days annual leave/year plus bank holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years & 33 days after 10 years’ service
- Yearly appraisal and commitment to ongoing training
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Good maternity, paternity and adoption benefits
- Health service discounts and online benefits
- Incremental pay progression
- Free confidential employee assistance programme 24/7
- Access to our LGBTI+ network, BAME Network and Christian Network
- Health and wellbeing opportunities
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification. To apply, please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB - this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.
Team Derbyshire is a great employer, with a set of values which reflect their commitment to staff and patients.
- The post holder will contribute towards the delivery of a quality occupational therapy service, working as a member of the multi-disciplinary team with the support and supervision of occupational therapists.
- Develop a working knowledge of the occupational therapy process.
- Build awareness of the recovery philosophy and the social inclusion agenda, promoting autonomy and enabling choice.
- Plan and carry out individual and group interventions within a specific remit (e.g., sporting, creative, domestic or technical activities).
- Undertake a range of activities, working flexibly in accordance with the needs of service-users and the service as a whole.
- Maintain dedicated time for practical activities and demonstrate effective time management when preparing sessions and writing notes.
- Accept referrals from the occupational therapy team according to agreed referral systems and care pathway.
- Assist in facilitating service user responsibility and choices for occupational participation, and the ability to determine their own lifestyle.
- Contribute to occupational and clinical risk assessments, reporting findings to the occupational therapy team.
- Report any changes in occupational functioning that may indicate either positive or negative effects of treatment.
- Assist in the co-ordination of care by communicating effectively and ensuring that Trust professional guidelines for record-keeping are followed.
- Ensure that assessment and treatment is delivered in a person-centred manner ensuring the gender, sexual orientation, ethnic, cultural and spiritual needs of service users are adhered to.
- Participate in a multi-professional/agency approach to care, valuing the interface of professional roles and responsibilities.
- Use effective interpersonal skills that relate to service users, carers and team members on an equal and respectful basis.
- Participate in the development of the occupational therapy structure, attending appropriate staff meeting.
- Demonstrate awareness of the Trust Policy for Clinical Supervision; receiving regular clinical supervision.
- With the support of the occupational therapy team, ensure good practice is maintained by identifying practice that requires change or development or that does not meet required standards.
- Be aware of and work within all legislative requirements relevant to occupational therapy (Mental Health Act, Code of Practice, Human Rights Act, Disability Discrimination Act etc), and ensure that Child and Adult protection procedures are followed.
- Maintain safety standards and take responsibility for organising and maintaining a specific work environment, (e.g. kitchen, craft area, activity rooms and garden).
- Advise the Ward Manager and Lead Nurses of materials and equipment required for a designated area of work and assist in ordering resources within a specified budget
-
Ward 34 is dynamic multi- disciplinary team and as an integral part of our team you will receive:
- Regular supervision and appraisal
- Continuing Professional Development
- A supportive network of professionals
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Relevant practical qualification (e.g., BTEC, City and Guilds, NVQ 3 or equivalent or relevant training or relevant experience.
Desirable criteria
- Food hygiene level 2
- Customer care
- Experience of working in Occupational Therapy setting
Experience
Essential criteria
- Group work skills e.g. planning and facilitation of therapeutic groups independently
- Experience of mental health
- Ability to implement plans of care
- Evidence of working in a challenging environment
- Shows problem solving skills, planning skills within chosen activity
- Evidence of written and verbal communication.
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of using electronic patient records
- Food hygiene certificate
- Working in an Occupational Therapy setting
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
- Karen Sangha
- Job title
- Operational & Clinical Lead
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01332 623822
- Additional information
Enquiries are very welcome.
For further information please contact:
Karen Sangha, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist,
If you have problems applying, contact
- Address
-
Recruitment Team
- Telephone
- 01332 564856, option 1, option 1
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