Job summary We are seeking to recruit a full time Occupational Therapy Assistant with a passion and enthusiasm for working in Adult and Older Persons Mental Health Inpatient services in Portsmouth. This is a unique and exciting post where the successful candidate will develop clinical and communication skills for working with adults of all ages across our four inpatient mental health wards on the Orchards and Limes in Portsmouth St James Hospital, Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for someone with a professional and empathetic attitude, in addition to excellent communication skills and the ability to motivate and inspire others. The role can occasionally be physically demanding and the successful candidate must be of sufficient fitness to be able to complete training in the Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression. The "One Referral, One AHP" Allied Health Professional Service are a supportive and innovative team. We support adults living with mental illness and dementia across inpatient and community settings across Portsmouth and this role will be on our inpatient wards with occasional community work. We welcome potential applicants to come and visit our teams and the wards, especially if they have limited experience working in acute mental health settings or with individuals living with severe mental illness. Main duties, tasks & skills required The successful candidate will work under the supervision of registered Occupational Therapists to: Organise and deliver occupational therapy (OT) activities as part of the agreed intervention plan for clients under the supervision of an occupational therapist. This includes 1-1 work on the ward and in the community (as appropriate) and group work. Work with the service users to gather information, highlighting the need for further assessment, and completing a clinical record of the intervention including the outcome and further plans. Carry out procedures to ensure the smooth running of the service such as patient registration, maintenance of equipment and stock etc. About us Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, bringing together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve. Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trusts community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working. Job description Further information about the Trust and this role can be found on the Job Description and Person Specification document attached. It is important to us that we ensure our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive to everyone - if as a potential candidate you are concerned a person specification may prevent or restrict your application for employment as a result of unintentional barriers on the grounds of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religion/belief or disability please initially contact the Trust's Recruitment team - detailed in the advert. The Trust will seek to resolve this issue wherever possible. We are happy to talk Flexible Working - all requests for flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. Person specification Qualifications Essential NVQ 3 or Health Related Qualification / experience in an acute / crisis mental health setting / Rehabilitation setting. Experience Essential Experience with working with people and patients, carers. Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team. Experience of working in an acute or crisis or rehabilitation mental health setting. Occasional exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions e.g. during home visits and or during assessment. 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. For help with your application, contact: Rachel Blake Rachel.Blakesolent.nhs.uk 03001233922 Pay scheme Agenda for Change Band Band 3 Salary £24071.00 to £25674.00 Yearly Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-Time, Flexible Working Reference number 449-MHS-6775 Job locations The Orchards, St James' Hospital Locksway Road Portsmouth Hampshire PO4 8FE