Job requirements
Requirements from the employer’s person specification. These describe the role, not your personal match.
Essential
14 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Knowledge
Understanding of Occupational Therapy and how this can be offered to patients in different settings.
- Knowledge
Evidence of mental health awareness
- Knowledge
Aware of the environment within a high secure setting and how to maintain safety for themselves and others
- Experience
Experience as a band 3 in a relevant patient care NHS post.
- Experience
Good working knowledge environmental risk factors.
- Experience
Experience of working with patients with mental illness and personality disorder.
- Experience
Experience of motivating and engaging patients.
- Personal Qualities
Understands and demonstrates the principles of team work
- Personal Qualities
Ability to work autonomously if directed by band 5
- Personal Qualities
Clear effective session planning
- Personal Qualities
Good IT skills
- Personal Qualities
Manages own workload and time.
- Qualifications and Training
Good general education with 2 or more CSE, GCSE or O’ Levels
- Qualifications and Training
To have a relevant trade or skill NVQ, City and Guilds, BTEC
Desirable
13 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Knowledge
To have knowledge of clinical models / treatments used in the hospital specific to occupational therapy
- Knowledge
To have knowledge of person-centred care and support.
- Knowledge
Knowledge of wider NHS papers or policies relevant to Mental Health
- Knowledge
To have a working knowledge of the importance of grading tasks to meet patients’ needs.
- Experience
Experience at working with others on implementing a new task
- Experience
Experience of a working within a team and to be able to work well with others.
- Experience
Has a thorough understanding of the function and role of their service
- Personal Qualities
Demonstrate a positive attitude to change.
- Personal Qualities
To have an enquiring approach to service development.
- Personal Qualities
To have an active interest in research opportunities and audits.
- Personal Qualities
To be able to think creatively and generate ideas for patient’s interests
- Qualifications and Training
Motivation and Engagement Training
- Qualifications and Training
Degree or additional qualifications in a relevant area
Job overview
Male Occupational Therapy Assistant (Band 3)
This job is exempt from the Equalities Act 2010 which supersedes the provisions within the (Sex Discrimination Act 7(2) 1975 by reasons of decency or privacy as it is likely to involve physical contact with men in the circumstances where they might reasonably object to it being carried out by a member of the opposite sex.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within a well-established, resourced and respected Occupational Therapy service with patients with a primary diagnosis of severe mental illness or personality disorder.
The post will be based within the high security, forensic hospital environment and offers a great development opportunity. The post holder will work alongside Occupational Therapists in assessment and treatment sessions throughout the patient’s stay in the hospital.
The hospital has moved to a new bespoke hospital and is the most modern high secure, forensic hospital in the country. The hospital focuses on innovative care for a challenging and interesting patient group. We have a strong commitment to multi-professional working within the clinical team, focussing on reducing risk and offending behaviours.
We are looking to offer a male only position to a resourceful, motivated person who can demonstrate skills in engaging patients and teamwork. There are opportunities to progress in the service via the professional route through the Occupational Therapy apprenticeship.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with the qualified Occupational Therapists in the services delivering assessment and treatment sessions. The Occupational Therapy Assistant see patients on and off the ward. The sessions will generally be group sessions but could at times be one to one sessions.
The hospital offers a variety of services which meet the changing needs of patients at every stage of their recovery and the work undertaken by the post holder will support this process.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
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 West London NHS Trust in Southall, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Occupational therapy assistant role. The advertised salary is £30,630 - £32,346 Per Annum Inclusive of Allowances. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 27 Sep 2026.
Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (15 Sep 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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