Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Occupational Therapy Team at the West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven (WCH) for a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner. Candidates will also be considered who are willing to work towards the Assistant Practitioner qualification (Annex 21). We are looking for someone who is an enthusiastic team player to join the team based in the WCH, predominantly working within the specialist areas of Orthopaedics and Frailty. The right candidate will be expected to provide support and assistance to the registered Occupational Therapists. They will be responsible for managing a delegated caseload of patients, identified by the Occupational Therapist as being appropriate for the intervention of an Assistant Practitioner. Main duties of the job The service is part of a strong Occupational Therapy network, with links to the team at the Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital, as well as the wider health and social care settings across North Cumbria. This provides many professional development opportunities and there is a strong focus on CPD within the team. You will have access to high quality, regular clinical supervision, and we offer an excellent induction, ongoing professional support and a highly rewarding job to the successful applicant. About us At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county. Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of 'safe, high quality care every time': Being a clinically led organisation Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust A positive patient experience every time A great place to work Managing our money well As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work. Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability. Date posted 08 January 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 3 Salary £24,071 to £29,114 a year Per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 262-A-24-6903851 Job locations West Cumberland Hospital Whitehaven CA28 8JG Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants. Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview. Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies. The essential criteria for this role includes the requirement to have a care certificate or the willingness and ability to undertake this. For further information, please see the additional information link which can be viewed under the read this before applying section. Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information. If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered. Important Information Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date. For candidates applying using a Hotmail account or have strict firewall settings please ensure the following: Junk Mail is checked regularly Disclosure and Barring Service: On 28 November 2020, the new Disclosure and Barring Service filtering rules will come into effect. The changes mean that: youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings will no longer be subject to automatic disclosure the multiple conviction rule has been removed, meaning that if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of offence type or time passed, each conviction will be considered against the remaining rules individually, rather than being automatically disclosed. If you are unsure about whether you need to disclose certain criminal record information, free confidential advice may be sought from one of the charity bodies listed below. These bodies can advise you on what you are legally required to declare and may also be able to advise you on how you can disclose criminal record information to a prospective employer and your legal rights when doing so. Nacro Tel: 0300 123 1999, or email: helplinenacro.org.uk Unlock Tel: 01634 247350, email adviceunlock.org.uk or complete the online form on the Unlock website The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children therefore if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended) the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post: Please note the cost of the DBS check has increased from 2nd December 2024 Standard Check: £21.50 Administration cost of £5.90 £27.40. Deducted from salary over following 4 months or one off payment. Enhanced Check: £49.50 administration cost of £5.90 £55.40. Deducted from salary over following 4 months or one off payment. As part of the one of the largest employers in the UK NCIC future employees will have also access to the following benefits. A lease car may be available for this position; further details will be provided upon appointment if applicable. 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years Flexible working Scheme Excellent opportunities for development Competitive NHS Pension scheme Access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems These schemes are subject to availability Job description Job responsibilities Please see attached job description and person specification for further information regarding the role and the essential and desirable criteria required to be met by applicants. Please note, due to changes implemented by the Government to the UK immigration policy, individuals who require a Health and Care Visa or a Skilled Worker Visa may no longer be eligible for sponsorship where the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Applicants must check their eligibility to be employed in any role they are interested in applying for, prior to completing an application for employment.Any applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be progressed. If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme or Armed Forces Covenant and you meet all the essential criteria for a post, you will be guaranteed an interview. Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Please see our Policy for eligible vacancies. The essential criteria for this role includes the requirement to have a care certificate or the willingness and ability to undertake this. For further information, please see the additional information link which can be viewed under the read this before applying section. Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in the supporting information. If sufficient response is received this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date, please apply as soon as possible to ensure that your application is considered. Important Information Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will be asked via an email notification to log on to their Trac account to select an interview time. This will usually be within 2 weeks of the closing date. For candidates applying using a Hotmail account or have strict firewall settings please ensure the following: Junk Mail is checked regularly Disclosure and Barring Service: On 28 November 2020, the new Disclosure and Barring Service filtering rules will come into effect. The changes mean that: youth cautions, reprimands and final warnings will no longer be subject to automatic disclosure the multiple conviction rule has been removed, meaning that if an individual has more than one conviction, regardless of offence type or time passed, each conviction will be considered against the remaining rules individually, rather than being automatically disclosed. If you are unsure about whether you need to disclose certain criminal record information, free confidential advice may be sought from one of the charity bodies listed below. These bodies can advise you on what you are legally required to declare and may also be able to advise you on how you can disclose criminal record information to a prospective employer and your legal rights when doing so. Nacro Tel: 0300 123 1999, or email: helplinenacro.org.uk Unlock Tel: 01634 247350, email adviceunlock.org.uk or complete the online form on the Unlock website The Trust is committed to safeguarding adults and children therefore if the post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended) the successful candidate(s) will be subject to a criminal records check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction. DBS charges are as follows if applicable to the post: Please note the cost of the DBS check has increased from 2nd December 2024 Standard Check: £21.50 Administration cost of £5.90 £27.40. Deducted from salary over following 4 months or one off payment. Enhanced Check: £49.50 administration cost of £5.90 £55.40. Deducted from salary over following 4 months or one off payment. As part of the one of the largest employers in the UK NCIC future employees will have also access to the following benefits. A lease car may be available for this position; further details will be provided upon appointment if applicable. 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years Flexible working Scheme Excellent opportunities for development Competitive NHS Pension scheme Access to NHS discounts with retailers and leisure companies EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems These schemes are subject to availability Person Specification Qualifications Essential Willingness to work towards Assistant Practitioner Foundation degree or equivalent level 5 qualification. NVQ 3 in related subject or equivalent. Care Certificate or the willingness and ability to undertake GCSE in Maths and English - grade 4/C or above or Functional Skills Level 2 Desirable Assistant practitioner status Essential IT skills (EITS) or equivalent Experience Essential Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor or equivalent Desirable Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor in an orthopaedic or Frailty setting. Knowledge Essential Codes of Practice and Professional Standards. Health & safety and risk. Physiological approaches to health and illness Occupational therapy specialist equipment. Physical disability and its impact on lifestyle. Use of word and understanding of internet. Understand the social, cultural and economic influences, individual circumstances, behaviours and lifestyle choices that impact on health outcomes for service users and their families Understand the aims and principles of health promotion Evidence based practice Audit, service evaluation and quality improvement projects Research Desirable Use of cognitive screening tools. e.g. Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Skills and Aptitudes Essential Ability to work single-handed in a range of environments. Effective interpersonal skills Documentation and written report skills. Good personal organisation skills Ability to work as part of a team Ability to develop positive, appropriate relationships with service users, families and carers. Demonstrate respect, kindness, compassion and empathy at all times Promote privacy and dignity Good communication skills. Observational skills. Ability to teach practical skills. IT skills. Ability to work in a range of locations. Supervision skills Support to students / apprentices Desirable Teaching and presentation skills Personal Circumstances Essential Enthusiasm Commitment to life long learning Other requirements Essential Willing to work flexibly Able to travel independently throughout geographical area covered by trust. Willing to participate in weekend and bank holiday cover as required Desirable Driving licence Person Specification Qualifications Essential Willingness to work towards Assistant Practitioner Foundation degree or equivalent level 5 qualification. NVQ 3 in related subject or equivalent. Care Certificate or the willingness and ability to undertake GCSE in Maths and English - grade 4/C or above or Functional Skills Level 2 Desirable Assistant practitioner status Essential IT skills (EITS) or equivalent Experience Essential Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor or equivalent Desirable Occupational Therapy Technical Instructor in an orthopaedic or Frailty setting. Knowledge Essential Codes of Practice and Professional Standards. Health & safety and risk. Physiological approaches to health and illness Occupational therapy specialist equipment. Physical disability and its impact on lifestyle. Use of word and understanding of internet. Understand the social, cultural and economic influences, individual circumstances, behaviours and lifestyle choices that impact on health outcomes for service users and their families Understand the aims and principles of health promotion Evidence based practice Audit, service evaluation and quality improvement projects Research Desirable Use of cognitive screening tools. e.g. Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Skills and Aptitudes Essential Ability to work single-handed in a range of environments. Effective interpersonal skills Documentation and written report skills. Good personal organisation skills Ability to work as part of a team Ability to develop positive, appropriate relationships with service users, families and carers. Demonstrate respect, kindness, compassion and empathy at all times Promote privacy and dignity Good communication skills. Observational skills. Ability to teach practical skills. IT skills. Ability to work in a range of locations. Supervision skills Support to students / apprentices Desirable Teaching and presentation skills Personal Circumstances Essential Enthusiasm Commitment to life long learning Other requirements Essential Willing to work flexibly Able to travel independently throughout geographical area covered by trust. Willing to participate in weekend and bank holiday cover as required Desirable Driving licence 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust Address West Cumberland Hospital Whitehaven CA28 8JG Employer's website https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)