Job summary We have an exciting and rewarding post for an Occupational Therapy assistant (OTA) at our Amberstone Hospital, part of the East Sussex Rehabilitation Pathway. We are looking for a friendly, positive, enthusiastic, team player who would like to join the Occupational Therapy team and wider ward MDT to support the wellbeing and recovery of people who come to stay to manage their mental health, predominately Psychosis. You will be working under the guidance of an Occupational Therapist to offer individual and group interventions that help people engage in activities that support people reach their rehabilitation goals and increase their quality of life. We run a group programme, offer one to one sessions with our aim being to encourage integration into the community and promote independence. Main duties of the job You will be guided by the OT in your work and will be expected to work autonomously.To use a recovery approach in assisting service users to follow treatment plans and work towards their chosen goals.Complete basic functional assessments as well as monitor, review and evaluate service users progress. These could include 1:1 interventions sessions, graded exposure or home visits.Good communication skills for liaison with service users, families, colleagues and other agencies.General computer and administration skills are required.To network with community services in assisting service users' integration into the community, such as accessing vocational resources, supporting with administration, applying for bus passes/benefits.You will be responsible for running groups. It is important that you work dynamically and be able to think of creative and new ideas. Groups will include coffee mornings, learning groups, cooking, gardening and out and about groups off the unit.Working with people with mental health issues including psychosis is preferred for this post. However, most importantly the successful candidate to be self motivated, keen to learn and have a clear understanding of how to support people's recovery.Regular supervision by an OT is offered.The ability to travel is essential for this role due to the location and the nature of the tasks required for this post.Full time post, shifts will be mainly weekdays 9am - 5pm (1 x 12-8pm) and one weekend every 4 weeks. About us East Sussex Care Delivery Service (CDS) provides specialist community and inpatient mental health services for adults over the age of 18, living within East Sussex. We believe in providing outstanding quality, safe and effective care and treatment that everyone can be proud of. Amberstone is a 28 bed Recovery and Rehabilitation unit, situated in rural East Sussex (approximately 2 miles from Hailsham and 8 miles north of Eastbourne) and provides rehabilitation for adults who are recovering from serious mental illness. The focus is to enable people to reach their full potential and achieve a smooth transition into the community. The ward works closely with Community Rehabilitation colleagues as an integral part of the award-winning East Sussex Rehabilitation Pathway. Wide range of training opportunities within the Trust- including opportunity to apply for the OT apprenticeship. Date posted 25 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year pa Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 354-AE-21090 Job locations Amberstone Hospital Carters Corner Hailsham BN27 4HU Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached job description Key responsibilities: To work under the guidance of an Occupational Therapist (OT) in the delivery of clinical interventions using a range of technical and creative skills to engage clients in occupational activities To monitor the client progress and feedback to the OT Under the supervision of an OT, facilitate and participate in planned group work, individual activities, one to one rehabilitation practise and ongoing continuous assessment with supervision Contribute to occupational therapy assessments e.g. Activity of Daily Living Assessments (ADL) and treatment plans under the guidance of an OT Provide a range of activities, instructing and guiding clients with more complex needs to support them in achieving identified occupational therapy goals, with some supervision. To contribute to the generic tasks of the team as directed by a registered OT To actively promote client centred OT interventions using a recovery focused, enabling approach Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached job description Key responsibilities: To work under the guidance of an Occupational Therapist (OT) in the delivery of clinical interventions using a range of technical and creative skills to engage clients in occupational activities To monitor the client progress and feedback to the OT Under the supervision of an OT, facilitate and participate in planned group work, individual activities, one to one rehabilitation practise and ongoing continuous assessment with supervision Contribute to occupational therapy assessments e.g. Activity of Daily Living Assessments (ADL) and treatment plans under the guidance of an OT Provide a range of activities, instructing and guiding clients with more complex needs to support them in achieving identified occupational therapy goals, with some supervision. To contribute to the generic tasks of the team as directed by a registered OT To actively promote client centred OT interventions using a recovery focused, enabling approach Person Specification Qualifications Essential A recognised qualification in an area related to the workplace or equivalent technical/life skills Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning Health care or relevant NVQ level 3 or equivalent skills Knowledge Essential Experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties Experience of being supervised Desirable Experience running groups/activities Experience training others in technical/leisure/ creative skills Skills Essential Establish and Maintain communication with people on routine matters Provide and receive confidential client information Computer skills to collate and report client progress on daily basis Desirable Experience of lone working Person Specification Qualifications Essential A recognised qualification in an area related to the workplace or equivalent technical/life skills Evidence of a commitment to lifelong learning Health care or relevant NVQ level 3 or equivalent skills Knowledge Essential Experience of working with people with mental health needs in a paid or voluntary capacity Experience of working with people with mental health difficulties Experience of being supervised Desirable Experience running groups/activities Experience training others in technical/leisure/ creative skills Skills Essential Establish and Maintain communication with people on routine matters Provide and receive confidential client information Computer skills to collate and report client progress on daily basis Desirable Experience of lone working 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. Employer details Employer name Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Address Amberstone Hospital Carters Corner Hailsham BN27 4HU Employer's website https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)