Job requirements
Essential
8 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Experience of (either directly or indirectly) people with functional mental health difficulties such as psychosis, depression and anxiety.
- Experience
Experience of working in a health or social care setting.
- Experience
Experience of working co-operatively within a team.
- Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge and experience of working within a person centred, recovery oriented framework
- Knowledge and Skills
Basic factual knowledge of the importance of enabling people to do the things they want, or need or are expected to do to support them in being well in life
- Knowledge and Skills
Basic IT skills, & good written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge and Skills
Working knowledge of the range of psychological and physical health problems that affect adults experiencing episode of mental illness.
- Training, Qualifications and Registration
An accredited award such as an NVQ Level 3 or similar in relevant subject
Desirable
2 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Experience in working with patients presenting with complex needs
- Training, Qualifications and Registration
A City and Guilds in a craft/technical subject relevant to this area of work
Job overview
Are you a compassionate, supportive care practitioner with experience in mental health settings? We are looking for an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join our dedicated multidisciplinary team at the Centralised Health-Based Place of Safety Unit at Priority House.
In this vital role, you will work under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist to provide warm, patient-centred care to individuals experiencing acute mental health crises. You will help service users engage in meaningful therapeutic activities, build strategies for recovery, and maintain their independence during assessment or inpatient admission.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (7-day rota including weekends and long days: 7:30 am – 8:00 pm)
What We Are Looking For
- Level 3 NVQ (or equivalent) in a relevant health or social care field.
- Prior experience working in a care or mental health setting, ideally alongside multidisciplinary teams.
- Proven ability to engage warmly and effectively with individuals, families, and people with diverse needs and abilities
Main duties of the job
- Therapeutic Interventions: Plan and facilitate flexible 1:1 and small group activity sessions tailored to meet the assessed needs and care plans of service users.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work alongside occupational therapists and the wider clinical team to deliver holistic care, explore wellbeing strategies, and support recovery journeys.
- Service User Support: Provide compassionate care to individuals during acute distress, encouraging engagement and helping them build confidence in daily activities.
- Administrative & Service Support: Complete clinical notes, manage therapy resources, and carry out non-clinical tasks to ensure the unit runs smoothly, with guidance from senior colleagues.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for the full details on the responsibilities and person specification
The person specifications will detail the qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience required for the role
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Occupational Therapy Assistant with Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust in Maidstone, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Occupational therapy assistant role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 per annum pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 15 Oct 2026.
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