Occupational Therapy Apprentice

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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Job summary

Are you an aspiring Occupational Therapist with a caring, compassionate nature? Are you keen to undertake training whilst working at Bedfordshire Hospitals?

This may be the opportunity for you!

Apprenticeships are proving to be a popular and successful 'learn while you earn' route to becoming a registered Occupational Therapist and Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are looking to offer this exciting opportunity to both our current employees and the wider community.

Successful candidates will be employed as an Occupational Therapy Apprentice, on a 3 year fixed term contract and all trainees will be offered employment on successful completion of the course. Apprentices will be working in a physical acute ward based setting.

For the duration of the 3 year training programme, apprentices with be paid at NHS band 5 (annex 21) pay scale: Year 1: 65% of the pay band maximum of band 5 Year 2: 70% of the pay band maximum of band 5 Year 3: 75% of the pay band maximum of band 5

On successful completion of the training, apprentices will gain a BSc(Hons) in Occupational Therapy and will be able to work as an HCPC registered Occupational Therapist on an NHS AfC band 5 salary.

Main duties of the job

The academic aspect of the course will be provided by the University of Northamptonshire and the university tuition costs for the programme are fully funded. Trainees will attend university one day per week as well as undertake fulltime practice placements The programme is structured and will give a varied experience across health and social care as well as in different organisations with the aim of giving trainees the widest exposure to healthcare.

This apprentice role will provide a targeted pathway to gain the required skills, knowledge and competency to complete the degree-level programme and qualify as an Occupational Therapist. This will enable you to register with the HCPC and move to a preceptorship year as a Band 5 Occupational Therapist.

You will combine working as an Occupational Therapy Apprentice with on the job learning, academic modules as well as clinical placements.

You will be required to carry out delegated work from the occupational therapy team to support the provision of individualised patient care under various levels of supervision, appropriate to your knowledge and skills.

You will undertake and complete all elements of the BSc Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship. You will be expected to attend these taught sessions throughout your apprenticeship. You will also work towards completion of clinical competencies in your area of work.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Date posted

25 January 2023

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£27,055 to £32,934 a year pa

Contract

Apprenticeship

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

418-PET-013-VT

Job locations

Bedford and Luton

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

Job description

Job responsibilities

The trainee will, over the course of the 3 year programme, develop skill in:

Understanding all elements of the occupational therapy process and be able to assist Occupational Therapists with the assessment, planning, implementation, management and evaluation of patient intervention.

Carrying out treatments as established and delegated in broad terms by a qualified Occupational Therapist. This may include; teaching and/or demonstrating specific activities, transfer practice, ADL assessments, standardised assessments, equipment provision, information gathering.

Supporting the team by requesting / obtaining a hand-over report of current and new patients within designated areas from an appropriate source. This can include, when directed, attending board rounds as a representative for the team and feeding back to the Occupational therapist appropriately.

Screening and prioritising new referrals for discussion with the Occupational therapist. Extracting relevant information accurately from the patients medical notes and admission paperwork.

Assessing patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

Monitoring and analysing patients progress during and following treatment. This necessitates the ability to record, understand and interpret simple clinical observations e.g. Blood Pressure.

Evaluating any intervention including patient outcomes, experience and satisfaction in order to consider planning of further occupational therapy input.

Using clinical reasoning skills to alter/progress treatment (developing this over the 3 year training period), ensuring this is within post holders scope of competence and within treatment parameters, agreed by an Occupational Therapist. Reporting back as appropriate.

Fitting standard equipment and provide and/ or order equipment as required. To check all equipment prior to use and report any faults to the relevant authority. To accurately complete, authorise and process equipment orders in a timely basis.

Conducting functional assessments, analysing and reporting findings to the relevant Occupational Therapist.

Assisting patients in regaining independence in respect of activities of daily living.

Assisting the Occupational Therapist during home visits, supporting the patient and delivering equipment as required, following local policy.

Participating in the decision making and discharge process at MDT meetings and case conferences, as delegated.

Using a wide range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients in order to carry out treatment programmes. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or in communicating. For example, patients with Dementia or may be dysphasic, depressed, confused or do not have English as a first language.

Persuading, negotiating and motivating patients to co-operate with their treatment programmes. Use tact and reassurance when dealing with patients, relatives and carers.

Providing / receiving complex and/or sensitive information including information regarding progression or limitation to function and/or mobility and changes in social function. Develop sill in communicating this information in an appropriate and sensitive manner to other occupational therapy staff and MDT members.

Planning / prioritising own daily activities and respond appropriately to changing circumstances that impact the caseload as well as report back any difficulties to a qualified Occupational Therapist in a timely manner.

The trainee will:

Conduct clinical treatment with respect to individual patients dignity, privacy and cultural needs at all times.

Respect the diversity, values, cultural and religious beliefs of patients and to contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to those needs.

Maintain up-to-date, comprehensive and accurate patient records of assessment and treatment interventions in accordance with trust and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (COT) and HCPC Guidelines.

Remain flexible and respond to changing situations and priorities within the area and department.

Ensure that all patient records are filed accurately in the correct location in a timely manner.

Maintain up-to-date, comprehensive and accurate patient statistics in accordance with department guidance.

Autonomously manage time and complete learning activities and assessments set by mentor and lecturers for OT apprenticeship.

Attend university weekly engaging in course content and completing set workload.

Attend placements agreed with the university and complete all associated learning required

Proactively liaise with and arrange supervision sessions with apprenticeship mentor.

Work within Trust-wide clinical guidelines, policies and procedures and also those locally agreed within the occupational therapy department. Adhere to the RCOT / HCPC professional standards and guidelines.

Have an understanding of Clinical Governance and how to apply the principles appropriate to the role including those related to risks and incidents.

Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attending and participating in department in-service training sessions, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.

Attend all agreed Trust mandatory training sessions at least annually and keep up-to date with E Learning in accordance with the Trusts training and appraisal policies.

Work within the bounds of own competencies and recognise limitations.

In order to apply you must meet the following criteria:Five GCSEs including Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above and one of the following qualifications (or equivalents):

Three A Levels at BBC or above (in subjects other than General Studies)BTEC: 18 units; graded DDM in a health or science related subjectAccess: Level 3 15 credits at distinction and 30 at meritOpen University minimum 60 creditsNVQs at any level are not accepted

Evidence of qualifications will be required

Under the supporting information section on the application form, please ensure that you provide a detailed summary on how you meet the above criteria. If you could also confirm whether your preference of base site would be Luton, Bedford, or whether you would be happy to work within either location.

Please note that applicants who are shortlisted for interview will be expected to attend interview on Saturday 25th March 2023 within our Bedford Hospital site.