Job summary Saxmundham and North East Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT) have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our integrated therapy team to embark on their journey to becoming an Occupational Therapist, through an apprenticeship. We are seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking individual to join our team, based within Leiston, delivering support to those living within the community, on a full-time basis. The programme will lead to a BSc Occupational Therapy and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration, with studies completed whilst being an ESNEFT employee. Saxmundham and North East INT is a partnership across health, social care, primary care networks, councils and the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, working together to deliver services to meet the health and wellbeing needs of local residents. We cover areas including Aldeburgh, Framlingham, Leiston and Saxmundham. The integrated therapy team support individuals in the community and within clinic settings and work closely with our district nursing and adult social care team, who are co-located in the Waterloo Centre in Leiston. Main duties of the job You will join the team as an Apprentice Assistant Practitioner, working at band 3 level, where they will begin to develop their knowledge and skills in integrated therapy working. An interview will be required with the University of Essex for the Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship, which is a programme of 2 years' duration. Please note that successful interview with ESNEFT does not guarantee enrolment on the 2025 cohort. Offers of employment will be conditional, based upon a successful interview with the University of Essex. Upon successful completion of the Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship, the successful candidate will be enrolled on to the two-year Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship programme, where they will be working at band 4 level. The apprenticeship programmes will allow the candidate to combine working in practice with our team, with university studies, which is based at the University of Essex' Colchester Campus. Apprentices will also have placement periods, where they gain experience in other practice areas. In order to be considered for this role, candidates must possess the following qualifications: Level 2 Maths, English and Science (GSCE grade A-C or 4-9 or level 2 functional skills) Level 3 qualification (e.g. NVQ 3, A-levels) in a science-related subject About us We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes. We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services. Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients. We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients. If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you. Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?vGkPu7HphU8A Date posted 17 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £25,674 a year per annum pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 432-HR2036-24 Job locations The Waterloo Centre Waterloo Avenue Leiston IP164HE Job description Job responsibilities Occupational therapists support individuals in fulfilling their occupations. Occupations are activities that we need or choose to do to live and to look after our overall health. Within our team, occupational therapists work as part of an integrated service, meaning that they work in close partnership with our physiotherapy workforce, drawing upon shared skillsets and learning from each others professional expertise, to ensure joined-up and timely input. You will be a trainee in Occupational Therapy and will complete a BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy as a level 6 apprentice which will encompass teaching blocks at University, Clinical placements (within different services in order to gain a range of clinical experience across different health and social care settings) and in the Workplace. You will continuously develop your skills and ability as you progress through the degree programme so that on completion they can manage and be responsible for a caseload, with supervision from a Senior Occupational Therapist/Team Lead, providing effective Occupational Therapy to people experiencing difficulties with occupational performance. You will assess needs, agree goals, implement intervention plans and evaluate progress in partnership with the patient. It is essential that the successful candidate has their own means of transport, as they will be required to be able to attend university, placements, and fulfil their patient care visits, via their own means. For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. Job description Job responsibilities Occupational therapists support individuals in fulfilling their occupations. Occupations are activities that we need or choose to do to live and to look after our overall health. Within our team, occupational therapists work as part of an integrated service, meaning that they work in close partnership with our physiotherapy workforce, drawing upon shared skillsets and learning from each others professional expertise, to ensure joined-up and timely input. You will be a trainee in Occupational Therapy and will complete a BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy as a level 6 apprentice which will encompass teaching blocks at University, Clinical placements (within different services in order to gain a range of clinical experience across different health and social care settings) and in the Workplace. You will continuously develop your skills and ability as you progress through the degree programme so that on completion they can manage and be responsible for a caseload, with supervision from a Senior Occupational Therapist/Team Lead, providing effective Occupational Therapy to people experiencing difficulties with occupational performance. You will assess needs, agree goals, implement intervention plans and evaluate progress in partnership with the patient. It is essential that the successful candidate has their own means of transport, as they will be required to be able to attend university, placements, and fulfil their patient care visits, via their own means. For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. Person Specification Experience Desirable oExperience of multi-disciplinary and interagency working. Previous experience of working within a health / care setting Qualifications Essential oMinimum of five GCSEs Grade A-C/grades 4-9 (or equivalent level 2 qualification) which must include Maths and English and a science oA-Levels must include natural Sciences C or above (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics) OR Equivalent level 3 qualification at distinction level OR Profiles of non-standard qualifications will be assessed on a case by case basis. oFull UK driving licence and access to vehicle Desirable o115 UCAS points to include Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) oQualifications and Credit Framework Level 3 in Care or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience oEssential induction training and experience - care certificate or equivalent Knowledge Essential oUnderstands the processes, techniques, equipment, terminology and basic theory relevant to the work area. oUnderstands relevant legislation, policy and guidance. Desirable oUnderstanding of evidence-based practice Person Specification Experience Desirable oExperience of multi-disciplinary and interagency working. Previous experience of working within a health / care setting Qualifications Essential oMinimum of five GCSEs Grade A-C/grades 4-9 (or equivalent level 2 qualification) which must include Maths and English and a science oA-Levels must include natural Sciences C or above (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Physics) OR Equivalent level 3 qualification at distinction level OR Profiles of non-standard qualifications will be assessed on a case by case basis. oFull UK driving licence and access to vehicle Desirable o115 UCAS points to include Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) oQualifications and Credit Framework Level 3 in Care or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience oEssential induction training and experience - care certificate or equivalent Knowledge Essential oUnderstands the processes, techniques, equipment, terminology and basic theory relevant to the work area. oUnderstands relevant legislation, policy and guidance. Desirable oUnderstanding of evidence-based practice Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Employer details Employer name East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust Address The Waterloo Centre Waterloo Avenue Leiston IP164HE Employer's website https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)