Blossom Ward is a later life inpatient ward based in North View, on the North Manchester General Hospital site. It is part of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust.
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, motivated, and keen team player to undertake the role of Occupational Therapy Assistant.
The post holder will work, under the direction, guidance, and supervision of a registered occupational therapist, to support the delivery of an effective occupational therapy service to clients on the ward.
Using a person-centred and recovery-focused approach, the post holder will support patients to achieve their identified goals. The primary role of the occupational therapy assistant is to enable the individual to live as independently as possible and to participate within socially valued roles.
The post holder will be expected to work independently with the patient on the ward and in the community. They will contribute to occupational assessments and undertake interventions on an individual and group basis as agreed with the occupational therapist and the multi-disciplinary team. If you would like to arrange an informal walk around of the ward please contact Hazel Curtis (Occupational Therapist) at hazel.curtis@gmmh.nhs.uk.
Main duties of the job
The aim of the many interventions you will be delivering with supervision and support from qualified Occupational Therapy staff are recovery and independence. The post holder will be a valued member of the multi-disciplinary team, working directly with service users and carers, as part of a multidisciplinary team which provides care, treatment, and support to people with a functional and organic mental illness in line with the relevant clinical pathways. This job description is not exhaustive. The tasks described below are representative of the duties it is expected the post holder will undertake within the grade range of the post. Job content will be reviewed as necessary in consultation with the post holder, to reflect the changing nature of the post.
The successful candidate will provide support, advice, and practical assistance to an allocated group of service users under the direction of a qualified member of the staff team, following an agreed and shared care plan. The role will include the requirement to work Monday to Friday within normal working hours 9-5pm.
About us
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) is one of the leading mental health trusts in the UK.
Serving a population of 1.2 million people, across one of the most exciting and affordable cities in Europe, GMMH provides community and inpatient mental health care, alongside prison in-reach, substance misuse services, a specialist centre for mental health and deafness, and inpatient perinatal mental health care.
The Trust employs around 5700 people, who make a difference across 130 locations. Staff at GMMH work to improve lives with a culture based on five core values:
* We are caring and compassionate
* We work together
* We value and respect
* We are open and honest
GMMH is one of the most active research trusts in the UK, with one of the highest levels of recruitment to clinical trials for mental health.
We have been rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commission. Our substance misuse services and leadership were rated as 'Outstanding'.
Job responsibilities
Job Purpose
The post holder will be a key member of the MDT, working directly with service users under the care of the inpatient team, as part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team which provides care, treatment, and support to people with a functional and organic mental health diagnoses.
Clinical responsibilities include:
* To work as part of the integrated multi-disciplinary team in the treatment and recovery of patients.
* To promote the social inclusion of clients within the communities of their choice.
* With guidance, collect relevant information to support the occupational therapy assessment process.
* Under supervision, implement identified elements of the treatment plan; supporting the client to overcome their own individual barriers. This may take place in a ward or community-based setting.
* Where appropriate, support clients to safely and confidently use adaptations and equipment assessed for, and provided by, the occupational therapist.
* To monitor patients' progress and skill development under the guidance and supervision of a registered occupational therapist; reporting back to the multi-disciplinary team as required.
* To observe patients' abilities, responses, and behaviour, reporting back to the multi-disciplinary team as required.
* When appropriate, assist in preparing an appropriate environment for treatment/therapy and tidying up afterwards.
* To carry out duties in such a way that maintains clients' privacy and dignity, values diversity, and respects cultural needs and individual rights and choices.
* To encourage patient and carer involvement in care planning, supporting service delivery which is sensitive to the needs of families and carers.
* To work to Trust policies and procedures.
Please see attached job description and person specification for further details.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
* Training in relevant practical skills
* GCSE or equivalent
Experience
* Experience of working with people with mental health needs
* Working in a team
* Proven ability to support patients to engage in therapeutic activities
* Experience of planning, running, and evaluating groups
* Experience of working with older people with cognitive impairment
Skills
* Range of practical skills which are relevant to the post
* Ability to engage and motivate individuals who are experiencing difficulties in activities of daily living
* Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with a broad spectrum of individuals both verbally and in writing
* Good interpersonal skills
* An understanding of health and social care issues relating to older people
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.
£24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
437-6877030
Job locations
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