Occupational Therapy Assistant

Are you passionate about enabling people to achieve their best quality of life? Are you creative, a good problem solver and able to work out what minimises a person's distress and allows them to engage purposefully in those activities that are meaningful to them? Then this is the job for you.
Join our dynamic occupational therapy team at our Dementia and Frailty ward at the Thurrock Community Hospital.
We believe in fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment where every team member is valued. If you are ready to make a difference in the lives of our patients and grow your career with a supportive team, we want to hear from you
We provide inhouse training and will consider any applicant interested in our EPUT apprenticeship scheme.
To support the delivery of occupational therapy interventions for older adults with dementia. The role is primarily focused on the assessment and treatment of individual’s with diagnosed dementias and may have comorbid physical health needs. The focus is to create strategies and treatments that promote independence, enhances quality of life, and minimises distress.
EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
Season Ticket Loans
NHS discounts for staff
Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
Day One Flexible Employer
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.
If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.
To work as part of the Occupational Therapy Service implementing Occupational Therapy programmes under the direction of qualified staff.
- To work in collaboration with the MDT to maximise the individuals potential to remain independent, minimise distress and offer opportunities for purposeful engagement
- Following in-house training carry out functional assessments to determine individuals occupational performance in purposeful activity and activities of daily living
- Carry out delegated targeted interventions on a 1:1 or group basis as directed by the Occupational Therapist.
- Carry out delegated treatments to remove barriers to discharge and enable individuals to be discharged to least restrictive accommodation
- Carry out specific targeted interventions to establish a routine or structure of engagement that minimises challenging behaviour
- Provide a range of wellbeing interventions to aid recovery and improve health and function
- Provide a range of wellbeing interventions to gain coping skills and promote health
- Carry out targeted interventions on a 1:1 or group basis
- To utilise therapeutic strategies to engage patient to maximise function and limit the loss of independence
- To develop rapport with patients to encourage their interest and develop/maintain skills.
- To be aware of individual patients’ needs and risks through communication with Occupational Therapy and Nursing staff.
- To gather information on patient’s function both through reading through records and direct patient contact and report to the Occupational Therapist to support recovery and discharge.
- To observe general behaviour, ability and response of patients to engagement in interventions
- To have an awareness of the situations that may make patients vulnerable or at risk.
- To report any concerns immediately to qualified staff.
- To respect patients choices and confidentiality at all times.
- To record interventions in an agreed format.
- Any other tasks delegated by qualified staff as appropriate to grade and experience.
- To support the administration of the team as required.
- To complete necessary statistical information, e.g. daily diary sheets.
- To note any faulty equipment and inform qualified staff.
- To ensure work areas are kept clean and tidy.
- Attend professional Occupational Therapy meetings as required.
- To undertake annual appraisal and to contribute constructively to the supervision process.
- To comply with policies and agreed procedures for annual leave, sickness and time owing.
- Any other duties as delegated by your Director or Chief Executive commensurate with the responsibilities of this post.

In addition to the above duties you will also be expected to perform the below ke