Job summary An opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) position for applicants with an interest in working with people with a dementia diagnosis, across the Knowsley area. Willow House is a community based team, working to diagnose, treat and support people with dementia. The successful applicant will be working as a key member of the occupational therapy service. We are looking for self-motivated and caring individuals who can facilitate group activities, 1:1 sessions and assist the qualified occupational therapy staff as required. Hours are Monday to Friday and 9 - 5. Main duties of the job The post holder will be responsible for assisting in the development and delivery of treatment and care plans where appropriate under the direction and supervision of a qualified Occupational Therapist and in collaboration with the ward manager. The post holder will be required to actively work as part of The Multi-Disciplinary Team. The Post Holder will be expected to work in an innovative way to support the smooth running of the service and will be required to offer individual and group activities alongside Occupational Therapy staff. The Post Holder will be required to work collaboratively and flexibly with Nursing and Support Worker staff to ensure meeting the diverse needs of service users and the function of the team. About us Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands. We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities. At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so. Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles. Date posted 01 November 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 350-MHC6758153 Job locations Willow House ATC Dragon Lane Whiston L35 3QY Job description Job responsibilities Under the direct or indirect Clinical Supervision of a Qualified Occupational Therapist you will undertake the following duties: To support, with direction, Service Users with activities within a community setting. This will be under the supervision of senior Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and consultant psychiatrists. Undertake specific tasks within Occupational Therapy assessments with Service users using a Person Centred Approach in order to assist the Occupational Therapist to identify appropriate Occupational Therapy interventions. Work innovatively and effectively and take responsibility for carrying out a range of activities under non directive supervision where the overall goal is clear to support and deliver the provision of a programme of meaningful and purposeful activities. Be fully involved in The Occupational Therapy Process to ensure Service Users increase their independence and well being through skill and knowledge development and apply clinical reasoning to this approach. Exercise initiative and independence in carrying out delegated activities at a Professional level. Be aware of, and apply, the principle of risk assessment and management to all aspects of clinical work including, where appropriate, the provision of information to The Multi Disciplinary Team. Maintain the health, safety and security of others and contribute to and comply with risk assessment. To contribute to formal Occupational Therapy record keeping and reports and provide feedback on Service Users occupational functioning. Assist in the development of treatment and care plans where appropriate Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service. Work closely with The Multi Disciplinary Team at all times and involve Nursing Staff and Support workers fully in activity sessions. To maintain links with other agencies, both statutory and voluntary in order to support recovery and discharge planning Take some supervisory responsibility for the work of others in the implementation of routine work within identified and agreed scope of practice. Participate in the management of incidents in line with The Trusts Policy and Procedure. Collate information about resources both within the service environment and in the community for Service Users access/utilisation. Receive clinical supervision from a Qualified Occupational Therapist on a regular basis. Maintain a safe working environment with particular regard to the environment and Occupational Therapy resources and equipment. Job description Job responsibilities Under the direct or indirect Clinical Supervision of a Qualified Occupational Therapist you will undertake the following duties: To support, with direction, Service Users with activities within a community setting. This will be under the supervision of senior Nurses, Occupational Therapists, and consultant psychiatrists. Undertake specific tasks within Occupational Therapy assessments with Service users using a Person Centred Approach in order to assist the Occupational Therapist to identify appropriate Occupational Therapy interventions. Work innovatively and effectively and take responsibility for carrying out a range of activities under non directive supervision where the overall goal is clear to support and deliver the provision of a programme of meaningful and purposeful activities. Be fully involved in The Occupational Therapy Process to ensure Service Users increase their independence and well being through skill and knowledge development and apply clinical reasoning to this approach. Exercise initiative and independence in carrying out delegated activities at a Professional level. Be aware of, and apply, the principle of risk assessment and management to all aspects of clinical work including, where appropriate, the provision of information to The Multi Disciplinary Team. Maintain the health, safety and security of others and contribute to and comply with risk assessment. To contribute to formal Occupational Therapy record keeping and reports and provide feedback on Service Users occupational functioning. Assist in the development of treatment and care plans where appropriate Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service. Work closely with The Multi Disciplinary Team at all times and involve Nursing Staff and Support workers fully in activity sessions. To maintain links with other agencies, both statutory and voluntary in order to support recovery and discharge planning Take some supervisory responsibility for the work of others in the implementation of routine work within identified and agreed scope of practice. Participate in the management of incidents in line with The Trusts Policy and Procedure. Collate information about resources both within the service environment and in the community for Service Users access/utilisation. Receive clinical supervision from a Qualified Occupational Therapist on a regular basis. Maintain a safe working environment with particular regard to the environment and Occupational Therapy resources and equipment. Person Specification Skills Essential Knowledge of creative and leisure skills. Ability to work single handed with individuals/groups under supervision. Observation skills Good interpersonal skills. Ability to work as part of a team. Ability to communicate both written and verbally. Positive interpersonal skills Ability to be empathic Self-aware and ability to seek guidance Desirable Basic IT Skills Values Essential Continuous Improvement Accountability Respectfulness Enthusiasm Support High professional standards Responsive to service users Engaging leadership style Strong customer service belief Transparency and honesty Discreet Change oriented Knowledge & Experience Essential Able to demonstrate awareness of anti-discriminatory practice and gender sensitive care. At least 2 years working in paid or voluntary employment in a health or social care setting. Desirable Working with people with mental health problems or to have personal experience. Working as part of a team Relevant skills which will be of benefit to service users. Qualifications Essential Basic numerical and literacy skills equivalent to NVQ level 1 Person Specification Skills Essential Knowledge of creative and leisure skills. Ability to work single handed with individuals/groups under supervision. Observation skills Good interpersonal skills. Ability to work as part of a team. Ability to communicate both written and verbally. Positive interpersonal skills Ability to be empathic Self-aware and ability to seek guidance Desirable Basic IT Skills Values Essential Continuous Improvement Accountability Respectfulness Enthusiasm Support High professional standards Responsive to service users Engaging leadership style Strong customer service belief Transparency and honesty Discreet Change oriented Knowledge & Experience Essential Able to demonstrate awareness of anti-discriminatory practice and gender sensitive care. At least 2 years working in paid or voluntary employment in a health or social care setting. Desirable Working with people with mental health problems or to have personal experience. Working as part of a team Relevant skills which will be of benefit to service users. Qualifications Essential Basic numerical and literacy skills equivalent to NVQ level 1 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 Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Address Willow House ATC Dragon Lane Whiston L35 3QY Employer's website https://www.merseycare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)