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Job summary

Main area
Occupational Therapy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 3
Contract
Bank
Hours
Flexible working
Job ref
BANK- BED&LUT-OTA-NOV
Employer
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Sites across Luton and Bedfordshire
Town
Luton/Bedford
Salary period
Hourly
Closing
16/11/2026 10:00

Employer heading

East London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Bank Occupational Therapy Assistant

NHS AfC: Band 3

ELFT has long been recognised as a centre of excellence for mental and health care, innovation and improvement. So it is a very exciting time for you to come and work for us. Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Job overview

Band 3 Occupational Therapy Assistant

Please note this job advert has a capped number of applicants. Please apply early to ensure your application will be considered. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Assistant to join the established Occupational Therapy team in the working-age Adult Acute Mental Health Service. This service supports people with severe and enduring mental health conditions in Luton and Bedfordshire. 

We are looking for someone who understands mental health, can work with individuals with severe and enduring mental health conditions, and is skilled in Occupational Therapy. The post holder will be responsible for providing  Occupational Therapy intervention under the guidance of the Occupational Therapist on the ward.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work alongside the occupational therapist to promote and facilitate the OT programme both on the ward through 1:1 intervention, group work, and enabling clients in accessing relevant local community resources which would support their discharge. You will also work closely with a well-established multi-disciplinary team on the ward 

Working for our organisation

You will be part of a larger OT service, with a focus on investment in staff development and well-being. A planned and supportive induction period will be developed to enable you to reach your full potential in your role. Regular managerial and professional supervision will be provided and you will have monthly opportunities to participate in the service’s OT CPD events and shape service development through quality improvement. Professional development and training are actively encouraged through the appraisal process.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work alongside qualified OT staff to jointly co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the Occupational Therapy service and provide a robust, high quality delivery of the clinical service on Adult acute inpatient wards.

Input into OT service planning and development and lead on implementation as appropriate.

Work alongside and feedback to a well-established MDT.

Develop specialist knowledge and skills in working with individuals with severe and enduring mental health conditions. 

To be aware of community resources, including within the trust, local authority and third sector organisations in order to refer patients and support their engagement in preparation for discharge.

 

Please see full job description and person specification for more details. 

Person specification

Education/ Qualification/ Training

Desirable criteria
  • NVQ and/or B Tech in Care Related skills.
  • G.C.S.E.
  • Qualification in relevant practical skills.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Good interpersonal and motivational skills
  • Observation skills
  • Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing
  • Ability to consider client’s needs in practical terms
  • Ability to problem solve within a team and take responsibility for implementing decisions
  • Ability to use own initiative and work alone at times
  • Ability to plan and organise group and 1:1 activities
  • Ability to organise own time and plan tasks
  • Craft/creative/practical skills e.g. gardening, woodwork, cookery and pottery
Desirable criteria
  • Word processing skills, e.g. Windows

Knowledge and Skills

Essential criteria
  • Active use of practical/creative skills
  • Basic understanding of needs and concerns of people with mental health problems
  • Understanding of varying needs of clients from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds
  • Basic understanding of O.T. and ability to learn about the OT process
  • Understanding of the role of administrative procedures in the running of an OT Service
  • Knowledge of Equal Opportunities legislation, and its’ implications for work with service users and other staff members
Desirable criteria
  • Working experience with record keeping systems
  • Planning and running groups

Other

Essential criteria
  • Approachable manner face-to-face
  • Willing to follow instructions from other staff
  • Interest in Willing to take responsibility for administrative and departmental duties as appropriate.
  • Willing to work with multi-cultural group
  • Willing to reflect on own practice and use supervision appropriately
  • Willing to work as part of a team and share information appropriately
  • Good attendance record
  • Punctual, good timekeeper
Desirable criteria
  • Balance of interests and support outside work sphere

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Capital Nurse, LondonCommitted to being an Inclusive EmployerApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveHSJ Best places to workArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare quality commission - OutstandingStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Tori Norris
Job title
Head Occupational Therapist
Email address
[email protected]
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