Job summary Only open to current MPFT Mental Health Staff working on the Adult Inpatient Wards We are delighted to advertise the opportunity for an enthusiastic Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our innovate team on Brocton House, one of our Adult Acute Inpatient wards, based at St Georges Hospital in Stafford. As an OTA, you'll be passionate about enabling adults with Mental Health difficulties to engage in activities on our in-patient wards, forming part of their recovery. The main focus of this role will be assisting the team with our new Cubbie sensory unit. You will be supporting staff and service users in using the unit, completing sensory preference conversations which will guide the development of individual sensory plans, and monitoring the performance and impact of the unit on the ward through gathering feedback data. You will be working closely with the ward occupational therapy team and supported by our Advanced Occupational Therapist & Sensory Integration Practitioner. If you're motivated to work in Mental Health services, creative, flexible and can work autonomously, we'd love for you to apply Main duties of the job You will provide formalised support and practical assistance to service users in order for them to regain control over their lives and their own unique recovery process. You will be supporting service users to develop their current functional skills and coping strategies, which will require you to adjust your approach depending upon their need and intervention. You will engage with adult mental health service users to promote recovery and reintegration with the aim of assisting service users to gain and maintain independence in the community or other step down settings. About us 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, adoption leave Options for flexible working Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days) and the opportunity to purchase additional annual leave. 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 vaccination every year Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met) And more. 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. Date posted 14 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year Per annum pro rata Contract Fixed term Duration 12 months Working pattern Full-time Reference number 301-JC-25-7029649 Job locations Brocton House St Georges Hospital Stafford ST16 3SR Job description Job responsibilities Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT: Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube We provide inpatient facilities for working age adults with acute mental health problems and we are looking for caring, compassionate individual to work within our acute service who are committed to providing high quality care and treatment to our patients. Working in an acute environment can be challenging, but with the right team, positive attitude and resilience we are rising to the challenge and reaping the reward of being able to support people during their most difficult times. With you in our team, we will empower you to work innovatively, showing a commitment to providing compassionate care and a strong desire to improve the patients experience. You will be able to apply the philosophies of engagement, recovery and positive care in your work with your patients. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early depending on the volume of applications we receive. Job description Job responsibilities Check out the videos below showcasing why you should grow your career here with us at MPFT: Why Work for Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube Development and Progression Within Mental Health Services at MPFT - YouTube We provide inpatient facilities for working age adults with acute mental health problems and we are looking for caring, compassionate individual to work within our acute service who are committed to providing high quality care and treatment to our patients. Working in an acute environment can be challenging, but with the right team, positive attitude and resilience we are rising to the challenge and reaping the reward of being able to support people during their most difficult times. With you in our team, we will empower you to work innovatively, showing a commitment to providing compassionate care and a strong desire to improve the patients experience. You will be able to apply the philosophies of engagement, recovery and positive care in your work with your patients. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early depending on the volume of applications we receive. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Demonstrable evidence of numeracy and literacy skills (equivalent GCSE's or Level 2 Functional Skills) or equivalent Level 3 NVQ qualification in Adult Care Worker or equivalent Skills Essential Therapeutic group work skills Effective communication and listening skills Desirable To have an appropriate additional level of sensory awareness. Experience Essential Experience of working with people with Mental Health Needs as a member of a multi-disciplinary team Experience of co-facilitation of group work within a health environment Desirable Experience of working with Sensory awareness Person Specification Qualifications Essential Demonstrable evidence of numeracy and literacy skills (equivalent GCSE's or Level 2 Functional Skills) or equivalent Level 3 NVQ qualification in Adult Care Worker or equivalent Skills Essential Therapeutic group work skills Effective communication and listening skills Desirable To have an appropriate additional level of sensory awareness. Experience Essential Experience of working with people with Mental Health Needs as a member of a multi-disciplinary team Experience of co-facilitation of group work within a health environment Desirable Experience of working with Sensory awareness 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Address Brocton House St Georges Hospital Stafford ST16 3SR Employer's website https://www.mpft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)