Occupational Therapy Assistant

About Nightingale Hospital

Nightingale Hospital is the only private mental health hospital in Central London, with over 30 years of experience in delivering specialised, evidence-based treatments in outpatient, day patient, and inpatient settings.

Our dedicated team of specialists is committed to diagnosing and treating all types of mental health conditions, including eating disorders and addictions. Conveniently located, we are a two-minute walk from Marylebone mainline and Underground stations, and within a ten-minute walk of Baker Street and Edgware Road Underground stations.

We are owned by the international medical group Emeis, delivering the full spectrum of psychiatric care, and high-quality care home and rehabilitation services across the globe.

About the role

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) to join our multidisciplinary team, supporting both the General Psychiatry and Eating Disorder units under the guidance of experienced occupational therapists.

This is a unique opportunity to support meaningful, patient-led interventions across two specialist units, playing a vital role in facilitating group and individual therapies, community reintegration, and recovery-focused programs.

The post-holder’s duties will include:

Patient-focused duties:

• Deliver therapy sessions that promote life skills, autonomy, and wellbeing under OT supervision.
• Support with OT-led assessments and implement tailored care plans.
• Facilitate a variety of activities such as cooking, creative arts, exercise, and cognitive games.
• Promote engagement in therapeutic and leisure activities, both on the ward and in community settings.
• Encourage independence in budgeting, shopping, and meal preparation.
• Monitor patient engagement and progress, reporting observations to the supervising OT.
• Assist with discharge planning and transitional support.
• Work collaboratively with nurses, psychologists, dietitians, and other team members.

General psychiatry unit duties:

• Support low-intensity skills groups and individualized activity planning.
• Contribute to community integration programs and update signposting resources.
• Attend supervision and maintain strong clinical documentation aligned with best practice.

Eating disorders unit duties:

• Support structured mealtime exposure and post-meal reflection groups.
• Facilitate weekend planning and practical skill-building groups.
• Manage informal outcome measures (EMPSA) and contribute to resource planning for sensory and self-engagement packs.
• Identify alternative meaningful activities for patients not yet able to engage in group therapy.

Administrative and professional duties:

• Maintain accurate records in line with HCPC and CQC guidelines.
• Support audits, therapy resource management, and general department administration.
• Ensure safety and safeguarding standards are met during all therapy sessions.
• Attend regular clinical and management supervision.
• Uphold current clinical guidelines (NICE) and evidence-based practice in mental health and eating disorders.
• Actively engage in ongoing learning, including OT models such as MOHO and CBT-informed practices.

Requirements

• Experience working in a mental health or healthcare setting (desirable but not essential).
• Passion for supporting patients with complex mental health needs.
• Excellent communication and team-working skills.
• Adaptability and creativity in engaging patients at different recovery stages.
• Basic administrative and IT skills.
• Commitment to professional development and reflective practice.

Why join us?

• Be part of a supportive, forward-thinking therapy team.
• Access to regular supervision and CPD opportunities.
• Opportunities to work across two specialist units.
• Make a direct impact on patient recovery journeys and independence.

Company Benefits 

To reward the hard work of our fantastic colleagues, we offer an excellent benefits package as per the below:

• Competitive salaries + an additional London allowance of £4,000 per annum added to all permanent posts (pro-rata for part-time roles)
• Negotiable relocation allowance
• 25 days’ annual leave pro-rata (increasing up to 30 with long service), plus bank holidays
• Employee Referral Program, designed to reward you for helping us find talented individuals who would be a great fit for our team
• Generous pension scheme via the government autoenrollment scheme in addition to eligibility to enrol into the company’s group pension scheme
• Access to an interest free season ticket loan to support with your everyday travel expenses
• Discretionary annual bonus and salary review schemes
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Pay
• Enhanced company sick pay
• Access to free Eyecare and contribution towards the cost of glasses for DSE Users
• Life Assurance Cover (Death in Service)
• Professional membership fees contribution
• Available opportunities for continued professional development (CPD)
• Heavily subsidised staff meals at breakfast, lunch and dinner with freshly soured ingredients and a new menu each week, it’s not one to be missed

*Subject to T&Cs