OT Assistant Therapy Practitioner

Job SummaryWe an exciting opportunity for the post of Occupational Therapy (OT) Assistant Therapy Practitioner (ATP) in our inpatient services for Mental Health for Older People (MHSOP). We would particularly welcome applicants who have a specialist skill such as music skills that can be utilised in a therapeutic way. We would like to offer the successful applicant the opportunity to gain valuable experience with our range of client groups that include people with dementia, frailty, depression, psychosis. We will support you to gain experience and specialist skills in each of our inpatient areas. The ability to travel to our sites in Hemel Hempstead, Radlett, St Albans, Stevenage and Hertford is necessary. We offer excellent training and development, access to apply for the OT Apprenticeship, flexible working times, part-time, job share and are currently a Mon-Fri, 9 - 5 service with no shift or weekend work.We are a welcoming and positive team who work hard to achieve good outcomes for our service users therefore experience of team working is required. You will need to have clinical experience of working with people with mental health needs. A passion for helping people to engage in meaningful occupations is essential. Please read the person specification and ensure you evidence how you meet these criteria.Please email to arrange a chat or visit; zoe.broughton@nhs.netMain duties of the jobAs an OT Assistant Therapy Practitioner you would be required to:Provide both individual and group interventions for service users in a busy ward environmentProvide occupationally based assessments and interventions under the guidance of an occupational therapistEvaluate your interventions and report back to the team, adjusting future interventions accordinglyWork collaboratively with the other members of the OT team and wider MDTHave the opportunity to work autonomously, use your initiative and creative skillsDevelop knowledge and application of the Model of Human Occupation and other specialist assessmentsBe responsible for organisation of your own workload, timetable and accurate and timely documentation of clinical notesAttend and participate in the ATP CPD and support meeting.Support students, junior members of staff, visitors, volunteers and visiting therapists, such as Music TherapyAbout UsHertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from theCare Quality CommissionOur Family Of Over 4,000 Members Of Staff Provide Health And Social Care For People With Mental Ill Health, Physical Ill Health And Learning Disabilities Across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex And Norfolk, Delivering These Services Within The Community And Several Inpatient Settings. Everything Is Underpinned By Choice, Independence And Equality, With Our Trust Values Embedded Throughout:Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.DetailsDate posted13 October 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 4Salary£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum, pro rata + 5% of basic salary,(min £1,258 max £2,122)ContractPermanentWorking patternPart-time, Job share, Flexible workingReference number367-SS-9773Job locationsLambourn GroveHixberry LaneSt AlbansAL4 0TZJob DescriptionJob responsibilitiesWe provide Occupational Therapy (OT) for those experiencing a range of mental health issues in later life. We provide a range of OT assessments and support our service users to achieve their goals through graded intervention, psychoeducation and encouragement to re-engage in activities which are meaningful to the service user.As an Assistant Therapy Practitioner you would be involved in the provision of interventions for service users. This would involve a variety of methods, including providing opportunity to Service Users who may have difficulty engaging in day to day occupation. On a 1:1 or group basis, we will support you to develop the skills to support meaningful interaction and occupation with our Service Users.Duties And Responsibilities:To plan and facilitate occupationally based groups guided by an Occupational Therapist.To work individually with service users on specific tasks and therapeutic activity guided by an Occupational Therapist.To carry our specific Occupational Therapy assessments as guided by an Occupational Therapist.To promote a culture of engagement in meaningful occupation within the service in order to enhance quality of life.To provide interventions in the manner that is consistent with Trust standards and values.To provide feedback to the team regarding observed occupational performance during a session which will contribute to assessment and therapeutic interventions.To maintain clinical records using the electronic patient record system.To liaise with carers and other professionals as relevant.To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.To attend mandatory training.To undertake relevant activities to meet training objectives identified with your supervisor.To keep a record of your training and development activities.Clinical ResponsibilityTo work effectively as a member of a team in providing therapeutic activities using a person centered and occupationally based approach.To provide core Occupational Therapy advice, intervention and support given to service users and their carers under guidance of the Occupational Therapist.To provide timely feedback to the MDT information regarding the service users wellbeing and occupational performance.To use technical / creative skills to engage service users in meaningful and appropriate activities to promote independence, recovery and well-being.Under guidance of an Occupational Therapist, facilitate and deliver planned group-work and individual activities.Under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist provide ongoing assessment and adjustment of clinical interventions based on the fluctuating needs of the service users.Undertake delegated tasks to contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.To contribute to risk assessments with regards to service users and clinical environment.To report incidents, safeguarding concerns, complaints and compliments.To actively participate in regular supervision and annual appraisal.To actively participate in safety huddles and de-brief sessions as appropriate.To adhere to the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, the Trusts Code of Conduct for Non-qualified Staff and all other relevant policies and procedures.Leadership and Staff Management ResponsibilityTo support in the learning and experience of Occupational Therapy and other Multi-disciplinary students on placement within the unit within the remit of the role.To provide supervision for Band 3 staff as agreed by the Occupational Therapist.Financial Responsibility To manage stock, advising and obtaining resources to carry out the job.To be responsible for the safekeeping and use of equipment and materials.To follow Service procedures with regards to use of and recording of petty cash use within the unit.To be responsible for the completion of own expenses claim.To ensure effective and efficient use of resources.Service Development and Improvement To assist in the implementation, evaluation and modification of Team interventions.Participate in clinical audit and research activity as necessary to the role.To actively promote the Occupational Therapy service.Communications To demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, self-awareness, sensitivity and empathy in all communications.To form therapeutic relationships with service users which overcome any barriers to gain co-operation and encourage engagement.To report effectively to the MDT on service users performance, progress in areas of self-maintenance, productivity and leisure verbally and in writing.To adhere at all times to Trust data security policies and procedures.Analytical And Judgment Skills:To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of service users and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.To observe, assess and report Occupational performance using appropriate Model of Human Occupation tools, which may indicate either positive or negative effects of treatment to aid treatment planning.Planning And Organisational Skills:To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance. Include management of own electronic diary.To undertake delegated tasks which contribute to the safe and smooth running of the service.To demonstrate and role model effective time management when planning and facilitating activities.To help develop, plan and deliver therapy programmes with guidance from the Occupational Therapist.Physical Working Conditions And Environment:To work within the team base, unit or community setting as appropriate. To be compliant with trust Lone worker policies and procedures and maintaining own electronic diary.To be fully compliant with appropriate Respect level for service area.Information Resources:To ensure that up to date written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.To contribute to the recording of statistical activity as appropriate in the settingTo comply with health and safety requirements as per policy.Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesWe provide Occupational Therapy (OT) for those experiencing a range of mental health issues in later life. We provide a range of OT assessments and support our service users to achieve their goals through graded intervention, psychoeducation and encouragement to re-engage in activities which are meaningful to the service user.As an Assistant Therapy Practitioner you would be involved in the provision of interventions for service users. This would involve a variety of methods, including providing opportunity to Service Users who may have difficulty engaging in day to day occupation. On a 1:1 or group basis, we will support you to develop the skills to support meaningful interaction and occupation with our Service Users.Information Resources:To ensure that up to date written and electronic records are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.To contribute to the recording of statistical activity as appropriate in the settingTo comply with health and safety requirements as per policy.Person SpecificationEssentialQUALIFICATIONS EDUCATION TRAININGKnowledge of Occupational Therapy role within settingIntermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office and associated packagesA Levels and/or Health and Social Care NVQ level 3 or equivalentDesirableDegree in relevant subjectEssentialPREVIOUS EXPERIENCEExperience of working with people with learning disabilities and/or mental health problemsExperience of leading groups and 1:1 interventionsAbility to work autonomouslyDesirableExperience of working in a OT related settingExperience of service user and carer involvement in the development of servicesKnowledge of Recovery principlesFunctional Assessment TrainingEssentialCOMMUNICATION SKILLSAbility to provide and receive sensitive information regarding services users care and social situationStrong communication skills written and verbalKnowledge of and ability to use a range of communication skills to overcome barriers to engagementAbility to work effectively in a teamKnowledge of appropriate professional relationships and boundariesAbility to teach practical skillsDesirablePresentation SkillsSecond language (other than English)EssentialANALYTICAL SKILLSGood problem solving and clinical judgement skillsAbility to understand and respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service usersGood Observational skillsDesirableKnowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation Assessment toolsPerson SpecificationEssentialGood problem solving and clinical judgement skillsAbility to understand and respond and adjust appropriately to the changing needs of service usersGood Observational skillsDesirableKnowledge and experience of using the Model of Human Occupation Assessment toolsDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 detailsEmployer nameHertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressLambourn GroveHixberry LaneSt AlbansAL4 0TZEmployer's websitehttps://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)Employer detailsEmployer nameHertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressLambourn GroveHixberry LaneSt AlbansAL4 0TZEmployer's websitehttps://www.hpft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)