Occupational Therapy Apprentice- Frailty

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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Job summary

Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship

Band 4 - 30 hours PW

Contract duration 3 years

Are you interested in becoming an Occupational therapist? Are you keen to work, learn and do training alongside your day job? Do you want to work in a friendly and welcoming environment? If so, this may be for you.

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS trust (MCHT) has a rare and exciting opportunity, for someone to join the team to embark on their journey to become an Occupational Therapist. The apprenticeship will involve the completion of a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy, whilst working an Occupational Therapy Assistant practitioner, and being employed by MCHT.

This position would be based at Leighton hospital in Crewe, with studies alongside this, at Keele University. Commitment to both the job role and academic study is essential.

To be considered for this role, the candidate will need to meet the educational minimum job requirements to support the level of training at the University. The Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship Programme at Keele University typically requires: 3 A-level equivalents, to 'BBC' or 112 tariff points. And GCSE Maths and English, Grade C (4) or equivalent, relevant experience and a satisfactory DBS and occupational health clearance.

The apprenticeship academic programme will start in September 2025, and will complete in September 2028. We would aim for you start within the therapy team prior to this.

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will be required to work 3 days per week onsite at the hospital and engage in academic study 1 day per week. This will include attendance at the University, online, remote and self-directed teaching and learning.

Within the hospital and clinical role, the therapy team aims to promote a timely therapy assessment on admission and facilitates discharge from the acute care of the elderly wards.

The role will include taking a small caseload under supervision, gathering information from patients or families, completing functional assessments of their activities of daily living, education and practice with everyday tasks, and implementation of treatment plans and interventions. The role will require you to assist with moving and handling of patients using appropriate equipment.

The wards are in an acute and very busy setting. Candidates should be able to demonstrate that they have contributed to assessments, treatments and discharge planning for patients with a range of medical problems and conditions, ideally within a hospital setting or acute field.

The candidate should have excellent communication skills, being confident in working and liaising with MDT at all levels and across the wider service. You will have skills in organization, time management and be able to work under pressure, which are key to efficiently managing caseloads. Being flexible is also a key skill in this setting.

About us

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (MCHFT) provides good quality, safe and effective healthcare to the people of Cheshire and beyond. The Trust, which manages Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford, was established as an NHS Trust in April 1991 and became a Foundation Trust in April 2008.

We employ almost 5,000 members of staff, provide around 540 hospital beds, with a range of services including accident and emergency, maternity, outpatients, therapies, and children's health.

The Trust is also part of Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership (CCICP), a unique local health partnership that provides a range of community services for people across South Cheshire and Vale Royal.

During the Coronavirus pandemic, the Trust was recognised nationally for its 'Be Safe Be EquiPPEd' campaign, which aimed to make the Trust as safe as possible for staff and patients, through supporting the correct use of PPE. The results in the 2020 national NHS Staff Survey showed improvements in all elements of the safety culture theme, with 92% of respondents feeling their role made a difference to our patients. We were also recognised nationally for our workforce health and wellbeing initiatives.

At Mid Cheshire, we value our staff and appreciate that in order to give our patients the best quality, compassionate care, we also need to look after our colleagues.

Date posted

19 February 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£26,530 to £29,114 a year pa, pro rata

Contract

Apprenticeship

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

412-DCSS-6988981

Job locations

Leighton Hospital

Middlewich Road

Crewe

CW1 4QJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

To assist in the management and treatment of patients under the guidance of a qualified clinician.
To follow departmental protocols and guidelines referring to a qualified clinician who is available for advice.
To independently carry out specified assessments, interventions and programmes as planned and discussed with a qualified clinician.
To monitor and report progress of patients during the implementation of planned interventions and programmes.
To hold a caseload as delegated by a qualified clinician, reporting back at agreed timescales, highlighting any necessary actions.
To work with an individual or group in a variety of settings appropriate to the patients need.
To modify interventions and programmes within defined parameters and within practice scope.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To assist in the management and treatment of patients under the guidance of a qualified clinician.
To follow departmental protocols and guidelines referring to a qualified clinician who is available for advice.
To independently carry out specified assessments, interventions and programmes as planned and discussed with a qualified clinician.
To monitor and report progress of patients during the implementation of planned interventions and programmes.
To hold a caseload as delegated by a qualified clinician, reporting back at agreed timescales, highlighting any necessary actions.
To work with an individual or group in a variety of settings appropriate to the patients need.
To modify interventions and programmes within defined parameters and within practice scope.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Acute ward experience
Worked as a Band 3 therapy assistant for 12 months or more
Worked in the NHS for at least 12 months

Desirable

previous band 4 experience

Skills

Essential

Generic Physio and OT competencies

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of Acute care and national guidelines
Minimum academic requirements as per Person Spec

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Acute ward experience
Worked as a Band 3 therapy assistant for 12 months or more
Worked in the NHS for at least 12 months

Desirable

previous band 4 experience

Skills

Essential

Generic Physio and OT competencies

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge of Acute care and national guidelines
Minimum academic requirements as per Person Spec

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