Job Summary
As an apprentice you can study for a degree and have on-the-job training. This means you can earn an income as well as studying.
This role will support excellent clinical patient care and the Occupational Therapy Service across the 4 pillars of practice: clinical, research, leadership, and education, while developing personal abilities and supporting service improvement. The role provides direct patient care, with support from registered members of staff and offers guidance to the non-registered workforce within the clinical areas where working. The role reports to designated registered Occupational Therapy Supervisors and works across a variety of therapy areas within Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust and in conjunction with our partners.
We have a vacancy on both of our hospital sites; initially, you will be working within our acute inpatient therapy teams, with a view to start the course in September 2025.
In this role, you will be working within a hospital setting, providing assessment and treatment programmes for patients, under the supervision of qualified therapy staff. You will be managing your own caseload and working autonomously. Due to the nature of the caseload, this role will include moving and handling.
The ideal candidate will have experience working with patients in a hospital or community setting and have excellent communication and rapport skills. An ability to work flexibly within a fast-paced environment is essential.
Main duties of the job
Please note: we are unable to offer sponsorship for this post.
As an apprentice, you will complete an academic component (20% or 6 hours) in addition to the work-based, on-the-job learning element (80%) of the apprenticeship. You will spend time away from work, studying with other apprentices at the university linked to your course.
The academic learning will take place in alignment with the university calendar, and you will be granted the usual annual leave of a member of staff in your organisation.
As an Occupational Therapy Apprentice, you will be based as an employee of Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust working in a variety of settings. This will enable you to gain a wide appreciation of many health and care contexts, which will enable you to fulfil all the requirements of the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Programme.
On successful completion of the Programme, you will be equipped with the appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours to ensure competence at the point of qualification. You will have the capability to continue to meet Health and Care Professions Council regulatory standards and the Royal College of OT (RCOT) professional standards throughout your professional career.
To apply for this role, you must have proof of gaining at least a grade C in English and Maths at GCSE level (or equivalent). If successful in shortlisting, you will not be interviewed unless proof is provided (for example, certificates).
About Us
Please see attached document for entry requirements.
This post may close earlier if a high number of applications are received.
This position is accountable to the Inpatient Occupational Therapy Lead. The post holder will provide therapy in a hospital setting, contributing to the pathway of care and supporting initiatives to shorten patients' stay in hospital and maximise clinical outcomes.
PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY.
Our People Are Our Greatest Asset. When We Feel Supported And Happy At Work, This Positivity Reaches Those Very People We Are Here For, The Patients. Engaged Employees Perform At Their Best And Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Initiatives Contribute To Cultivate a Culture Of Engagement. We Have Four Staff Networks, a Corporate EDI Team And a Suite Of Programmes And Events Which Aim To Insert The 5 Aspirations:
1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development.
2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability.
3. Improving the experience of staff with disability.
4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development.
5. Making equalities mainstream.
Date posted: 05 March 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £26,530 to £29,114 a year per annum pro rata to Annex 21 (HCAS dependent on site)
Contract: Apprenticeship
Duration: 4 years
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 197-UT6469
Job locations: University Hospital Lewisham, London, SE13 6LH
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Please see attached documents for full Job description and University details.
Key Responsibilities:
* To successfully complete the required training and education specific to the role, as agreed with line manager and supervisor. This includes related assignments, tasks, and sessions.
* To provide clinical care within your scope of practice, using a variety of safe assessment and treatment methods, accessing support when required.
* To rotate into a variety of areas within the OT service to provide expertise and patient care.
* To support with the development of support workers within the clinical setting.
* To undertake administration tasks related to Occupational Therapy.
* To work as a highly motivated team member within the MDT setting to achieve best outcomes.
* To commit to a Philosophy of a patient-centred approach to care, with emphasis on patient and service user empowerment.
* To be responsible for a caseload of patients with support, applying learning to practice, demonstrating knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of high-quality care, whilst observing and implementing policies, guidelines, and procedures.
Clinical
* To assess people's occupational need, taking into account their occupations, role, environment, and lifestyle. To work in partnership with the service user to agree priority areas for intervention which address problems with performing and managing occupations.
* To be responsible for intervention planning, delivery, and also evaluation of progress towards goals.
* The focus of intervention is to promote individuals' independence, choice, dignity, and wellbeing whilst in hospital and upon their return to the community.
* To be responsible for organising and prioritising designated caseload, demonstrating effective clinical reasoning, with support from the Senior Occupational Therapist.
* To as appropriate delegate aspects of intervention plans to Support Workers responsibly.
* To contribute to decision-making related to patient care through active participation in communication networks, which may include multi-disciplinary meetings, case conferences, or providing written reports.
* To understand the implications of medication and medical conditions on care and treatment planning and relate this to the patient, family, or carer as appropriate.
* To recognise signs of deterioration and complete appropriate risk assessments, document and seek advice and support from Occupational Therapist.
Administration
* To maintain accurate records of activity and contribute input into trust information systems as directed.
* To maintain accurate records of all patient consultations and related work carried out at each clinical session, including computerised data collection.
* To plan own workload around such activities as domiciliary visits.
Performance & Quality
* To provide supportive and sensitive communication, written and verbal advice to clients, carers, and staff, whilst demonstrating an understanding of the nature and effects of some information and of barriers to effective communication eg sensory problems.
* To provide appropriate education to patients with diverse mental and physical long-term health conditions, utilising analytical and reasoning skills in this process in order to empower the patient and others to participate in the patients' self-care.
* To be responsible for own administration tasks, including prompt and accurate completion of clinical and statistical records to RCOT, Trust, and departmental guidelines.
* To comply with the hygiene code ensuring all working practice supports infection prevention and control including awareness of hand hygiene and environmental cleanliness in all clinical areas.
* To adhere to the standards, policies, and procedures of the Trust and Department and the Royal College Of Occupational Therapists, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and associated legislation eg Health and Safety At Work Act.
* To undertake Clinical Governance activities: demonstrating evidence of Continuing Professional Development including mandatory training, participation in departmental induction, performance development review, health and safety, risk management, and clinical audit, and to receive clinical supervision and occasionally provide supervision to OT support workers and students.
Research & Service Development
* To identify own training and development needs and active participation in the delivery of training opportunities for staff and students, including those from other teams and disciplines.
* To seek opportunities for involvement in activities to promote Occupational Therapy and practice development.
* To contribute to departmental routine including housekeeping and clerical tasks.
* To undertake any other appropriate additional duties, as required by the needs of the service.
* To take part in trust and service audit activity as may relate to own work and caseload.
Finance
* Wherever possible, make best use of time and resources in order to maximise the benefit to both the patient and organisation. In this way the post holder will support the organisation in delivering value for money.
* To be responsible for monitoring stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.
* Be responsible for the care and maintenance of instruments and equipment as delegated.
General
* To be flexible and provide cover for other members of the team at short notice or during periods of absence.
* Wherever possible, make best use of time and resources in order to maximise the benefit to both the patient and organisation. In this way the post holder will support the organisation in delivering value for money.
* Where appropriate and required to work flexibly across 7-day services.
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