About this role
Job summary
Hello! Firstly, thank you for taking the time to look at this job. My name is Beth and Im the team manager for the Core Team West in Wakefield. We have a rare opportunity, due to retirement, for an occupational therapy assistant to join our service and work alongside our occupational therapists and wider multidisciplinary team. As a team we are friendly, open and supportive of one another.
We are looking for a motivated and friendly individual who puts service users first and in the centre of their care. We are looking for someone who is open, honest, and transparent and someone who is ready for today, relevant for tomorrow. If this is, you then you will be a perfect fit!
We work with services users aged 18-65 who have moderate to severe mental health issues. Our base is a community team hub which helps to provide flexibility, openness and ease for support and advice. The base is within a central location with amenities, transport links and parking easily accessible. Here's what some of the team says about the team:
Its good working with different disciplines and having learning opportunities from other professions.
As a service, we can implement change.
The team are friendly and welcoming. I also feel valued.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will support a caseload of service users, with a range of diagnoses and needs. They will be responsible for completing identified interventions with the service user and liaise with other members of the occupational therapy and wider multidisciplinary team.
The successful candidate will be able to deliver evidence-based interventions to service users, including graded exposure work. This will include travel in the post holders private vehicle, as well as through the use of public transport.
The successful candidate will be an efficient organiser, managing their workload and be flexible to meet the needs of service.
The successful candidate will participate in occupational therapy team meetings; be able to provide updates on the service users they are working with and escalate to occupational therapists when treatment plans require review. The successful candidate would also highlight any concerns to senior members of the team in a timely manner.
The successful candidate will be confident in working as an autonomous practitioner within the team.
About us
We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and are the lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.
Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do this by providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employ staff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make a difference to the lives of service users, families and carers.
We encourage and welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.
Being a foundation Trust means were accountable to our members, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people (including staff) are members of our Trust.
Join us and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improving the mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet and help each year.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.
We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.
Job description Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will:
under the supervision/direction of registered health care professionals/associate practitioner, perform delegated interventions and care tasks, for which they have received training, seeking support as and when necessary.
as part of a healthcare team, provide the highest standards of safe and compassionate planned care to people that maximises their recovery and rehabilitation potential.
Demonstrating sensitivity, empathy and active listening skills, maintain positive and appropriate relationships with people at all times.
demonstrate an understanding of the care and treatment programmes required for a designated group of service users.
To follow a care plan, advise and guide service users, family and carers in following prescribed interventions and make the appropriate adjustments within own competence and skill set and be able to communicate any changes to service users and registered health care professionals.
be required to concentrate for periods of time, depending upon the care intervention/care plan This may include areas of work requiring physical effort, with regard to risk, following the risk assessment and health & safety.
exercise a degree of independence, initiative and judgement and consider different approaches when delivering tasks. Assess situations, eg following falls prevention guidance identify and resolve potential problems, within own competence.
ensure the care experienced is positive and service user safety is maintained. Treat everyone eg, service users, their relatives, visitors, colleagues etc, with respect, dignity, courtesy and in accordance with the Trusts Values.
Feedback their observations to the registered professional/ clinical team to contribute to the care/treatment planning process. Understand the principles underlying care planning eg, enabling the service user to reach an optimum level of functioning/ independence/recovery.
implement treatment/care within well-established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines and established clinical care plans within own competence and skill set.
Assisting in the organising and participating in a range of therapeutic groups and activities as delegated by the registered practitioner working within own competence and skill set.
apply basic knowledge of longer-term health conditions, within the remit of care planning, providing advice, support and feedback to a registered professional.
Undertake the physical aspects of care eg, moving and handling of service users. Use items of equipment in delivering care eg, hoists, wheelchairs etc. (as appropriate to the role), ensuring appropriate instruction on their use has been received.
assist in dealing with verbal/physical aggression using de-escalation techniques, this may include the need for RRPI techniques (as appropriate to the ward or community based role and in line with Trust policy and training)
attend to the service users personal care needs as and when required.
participate in a flexible rostering arrangement providing /7 day care (as appropriate to the role/service)
For full job description, please see attached supporting documents.
We are aware that an increasing number of applicants are using AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Over reliance on AI-generated content in application forms is strongly discouraged and we will conduct a thorough screening process before selecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI to enhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs application form.
At the time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For this reason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.
We are happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right to work in the UK or via alternative visa routes. Such applications will be considered alongside all other applications.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
GCSE A-D or grade 3-9 in English and Maths or equivalent Level 2 qualification/or working through, with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 3 Care Certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement
Desirable
Apprenticeship level 3 or equivalent eg, RQF(regulated Qualification Framework)NVQ level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent Experience of the speciality area Willingness to undertake further study
Physical Attributes Essential
A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy) Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary)
Experience Essential
In providing personal care and related procedures for those with health/social needs In working in a caring environment at a band 2 or equivalent level of competence In dealing with the public. In working as an effective team member. Of demonstrating own duties Ability to work effectively, professionally and under own initiative or as part of a multidisciplinary team In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills. Evidence of a commitment to user/carer involvement
Personal Attributes Essential
Responsive attitude and approach Dress appropriately for the environment A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability)
Training Essential
Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area. Must be willing/able to undergo job development and training. Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, eg, Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc
Special Knowledge/Skills Essential
As appropriate to the role: Demonstrates excellent customer care skills Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users Demonstrates safe decision-making skills commensurate with role. Excellent communicator Good IT/keyboard skills. Diversity/Cultural understanding Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust. Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations eg, verbal aggression, body fluids, etc. Non-judgemental, empathetic manner Demonstrates Trust Values Excellent interpersonal skills Good administration and organisational skills Able to use observation skills to identify potential services user, environmental risks etc. and act appropriately Able to fulfil the requirements of the value-based induction
Desirable
Language skills other than English Experience of supervising/inducting others
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 South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust
Address Core Team West
Drury Lane Health and Wellbeing Centre
Drury Lane
Wakefield
WF1 2TE
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)