Job summary
Are you looking for a position working in the community as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)? My name is Robin Sunderland and I manage a fantastic community mental health team based in South Kirklees and we are looking for a passionate individual to join our innovative and collaborative team.
The Enhanced Pathway Team is a community mental health team operating in South Kirklees and as a Band 4 Community OT assistant you will be crucial to the MDT way of working and pivotal in delivering high quality care to service users in the community.
OTAs will see a range of patients who often have mental health and social care needs and require therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation to maximise their independence. You will assume responsibility for your own caseload within the boundaries of your practice, under the guidance of a registered Occupational Therapist. The registered therapist will delegate responsibilities to the OTA and is clinically accountable for the patients care.
Main duties of the job
Assisting with Treatment Plans:
OTAs help implement treatment plans developed by occupational therapists to improve patients' functional abilities and daily living skills.
Patient Assessment and Evaluation:
You may assist in gathering information about a patient's abilities, limitations, and needs, which is essential for developing effective treatment plans.
Providing Therapeutic Activities:
OTAs guide patients through activities designed to improve their motor skills, coordination, sensory processing, and cognitive functions.
Teaching and Training:
You'll teach patients and their families how to use assistive devices, adapt their homes or workplaces, and perform daily tasks more independently.
Documentation and Record Keeping:
Accurately document patient progress, interventions, and any changes in their condition, ensuring clear communication with the occupational therapist and other healthcare professionals.
Equipment Management:
Ensure that therapy equipment is properly maintained, cleaned, and organized for use.
Collaboration and Communication:
Work closely with occupational therapists, other healthcare professionals, and patients to ensure a coordinated and patient-centered approach to care.
Patient Care:
Assist with basic patient care tasks, such as personal hygiene, mobility, and transfers, as needed.
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.
Details
- Date posted: 16 June 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 4
- Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
- Reference number: C9378-CK2495
- Job locations: Folly Hall Mills, St Thomas Rd,, Huddersfield, HD1 3LT, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
The post holder will:
Undertake delegated duties under the supervision of registered health care professionals. Consulting as necessary and working collaboratively within the health care team to deliver therapeutic interventions, psychological and physical care to a defined group of service users.
deliver evidence based planned care, which is safe and effective, in a manner which is caring , compassionate and enables service users to reach an optimum level of functioning, independence, rehabilitation and recovery.
provide care within well established policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines, and established clinical care plans, whilst acting within the required sphere of clinical competences for the role at all times.
following initial assessment by a registered health care professional, exercise initiative and judgement in, care planning, goal setting, delivery, implementation and evaluation of care.
working collaboratively and in partnership with others, develop knowledge to promote holistic care.
demonstrate sound knowledge of the care and treatment programmes of individual service users to enable the post holder to contribute and inform the decision making of registered health care professionals.
make appropriate care adjustments, within the agreed level of autonomy for the post, and be able to communicate any changes to service users, carers and the health care team. This may include regular assessment, evaluation, reporting and escalating relevant information to appropriate health and social care professionals.
undertake enhanced training and preparation to meet the specific clinical needs of the service and to equip the post holder for an enhanced leadership role.
contribute to enabling service users to reach their potential, including the utilisation of public health approaches eg, providing advice and support or signposting to the appropriate service.
undertake and maintain the required statutory, mandatory and core training as required by the specific area of service.
may be required to work in challenging environments which could include using managing aggression and violence techniques, lone working and conflict resolution.
supervise and delegate work to health care support workers, participate in their induction, training, appraisal.
work flexibly to meet the needs of the 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.
All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to have their up-to-date flu vaccination to protect staff and patients.
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
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 and maintain skills.
- Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety, eg, Prevention & management of violence & aggression, moving and handling, etc.
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience:
- In providing care and/ or health related procedures(where appropriate to the role).
- In working in a caring environment at a band 3 or equivalent level of competence.
- In dealing with the public.
- In working as an effective team member.
- In working effectively, professionally and independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills.
- in user/carer involvement.
Qualifications
Essential
- A-C in Maths/English GCSE or equivalent.
- Level 5 Apprenticeship/Foundation degree in Health & Social Care or equivalent relevant to the post.
- Or, level 3 Apprenticeship/Diploma in Health & Social Care with the ability to demonstrate competencies at level 5 and will willingness to work towards achievement of level 5 qualification.
- Care certificate or required to achieve within 12 weeks of commencement (where relevant to the post).
Desirable
- Experience of the speciality area.
- Group Facilitation skills.
- Willingness to undertake further study/development.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Responsive attitude and approach.
- Dress appropriately for the environment.
- Ability to travel around the Trust as appropriate to role.
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).
Special Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- As appropriate to the role:
- Demonstrates excellent customer care skills.
- Of care procedures, practice, recovery model, care pathway and person centred care.
- Provide and receive practice supervision.
- Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users (where appropriate to the role).
- Demonstrates safe decision making skills commensurate with role.
- Excellent communicator, numeracy/ literacy, IT/keyboard skills.
- Diversity/Cultural understanding.
- Knows responsibilities regarding confidentiality and trust.
- Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations e.g., 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 risks and act appropriately.
- Able to fulfil the requirements of the value based induction.
Desirable
- Language skills other than English.
- Experience of supervising/inducting others.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Occupational Therapy Assistant with South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Wakefield, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 4 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £28,392 to £31,157 a year. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 30 Jun 2026.
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