Apprentice Occupational Therapist

Sunderland City Council

The closing date is 15 May 2024

Job summary

Do you have a passion for working with people? Are you interested in a role in health or social care? Have you completed your A Levels / BTECs / T levels or a Health or Social Care qualification? Are you unsure if studying full time is right for you? We have a rare and exciting opportunity for a motivated individual who wants to become an Occupational Therapist. Come and join us at Sunderland City Council Community Therapy Service.

Occupational therapy helps you live your best life at home, at work and everywhere else. Its about being able to do the things you want and have to do. An occupational therapist helps people of all ages overcome challenges completing everyday tasks or activities what we call occupations. Degree level apprenticeships are becoming a popular way to study Occupational Therapy in England. Following successful completion of the course you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy and the Apprenticeship Certificate. You will then be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as an Occupational Therapist.

Main duties of the job

During the apprenticeship, the successful postholder will work under the supervision of a workplace mentor from the Community Therapy Service who will support them with their learning. Sunderland City Council has developed a thriving Community Therapy Service, encompassing a range of diverse and exciting teams and services for children and adults in the city. The primary objective of the service is to support residents in the management of their disability or long-term health condition, enabling people to lead fulfilling, safe and independent lives. The post holder will attend the University of Sunderland to complete all required models of study. They will also undertake clinical placements within different care settings, in order to gain a range of clinical experience across varying health and social care environments.

The post holder will be subject to a disclosure and barring check.

About us

Why work for Sunderland City Council:

Automatic enrolment with a pay and reward pension scheme with Local GovernmentPension Scheme
Flexi time to allow for work-life balance
Working pattern Monday to Friday
Annual Leave entitlement starts at 26 days, rising to 31 days after 5 years service, with previous working in a local authority or NHS roles considered for annual leave entitlement, provided there is evidence of continuous service.

For an informal discussion please contact Angela Porritt - angela.porritt@sunderland.gov.uk

Date posted

19 April 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£24,294 to £25,979 a year plus Essential Car User Allowance

Contract

Apprenticeship

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

F0001-262516

Job locations

Independent Living Centre

Leechmere

Sunderland

SR2 9TQ

Job description

Job responsibilities

Service/Team:Community Therapy Service

Responsible to:Team Manager/Senior Practitioner

Main purpose of job

To assist in the efficient provision of high-quality Occupational Therapy services, undertaking assessments and developing care plans for children and adults in their own homes or other community settings who have long term health conditions, disabilities or who are experiencing frailty, to prevent, reduce or delay the need for care.

Key responsibilities

To carry an allocated caseload of customers.
To support customers to achieve recovery and rehabilitation in a variety of settings, which may include community bed-based services, care homes and/or customers own homes.
To provide holistic assessments of the customer identifying areas of need and ensuring that appropriate provision is made to improve quality of life.
To work to service standards under the supervision of the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager.

Key tasks

To undertake assessments of needs for children and adults which may include, but not limited to, functional assessments, to prevent, reduce or delay the need for care.
To make recommendations for minor and major home adaptations.
To make recommendations for equipment and assistive technology to promote independence and safety at home.
To carry out assessments for re-housing applications.
To undertake specific assessments with customers according to their identified needs.
To be adaptable and flexible within the service areas, working alongside a range of colleagues to ensure effective provision of the identified support.
Work alongside Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy colleagues, Senior
Practitioners, and the Team Manager to deliver an effective, safe, high quality service.
To assist in the delivery of the Adult Social Care Front Door, supporting customers and colleagues.
To undertake assessment for provision of standard wheelchairs with some other enhanced prescribing rights at the direction of the Team Manager.
To work in collaboration with other services.
To refer customers to other services.
To record all assessments and take responsibility for data input.
To recognise limitations and identify to senior therapists when support is required.
To take an active role in project related activities within the service under the direction of the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager.
To identify learning needs and areas for development, alongside senior therapists/Team Managers.
To participate in learning opportunities within the service.
To participate in student education within the service.
To comply with the organisations and services essential training requirements.
To participate in supervision and appraisal with line manager.
To develop core skills and competencies throughout the duration of contract and associated learning period, including learning about Occupational Therapy skills in other settings, for example, health or hospital

Other duties/specific policies e.g. DBS

The post holder must carry out their duties with full regard to the Councils Equal Opportunities Policy, Code of Conduct and all other Council Policies.

The post holder must comply with the Councils Health and safety rules and regulations and with Health and safety legislation.

The post holder must comply with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to the management of Council records and information.

To comply with the principles and requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR in relation to the management of Council records and information, and respect the privacy of personal information held by the Council.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Service/Team:Community Therapy Service

Responsible to:Team Manager/Senior Practitioner

Main purpose of job

Key responsibilities

To carry an allocated caseload of customers.
To support customers to achieve recovery and rehabilitation in a variety of settings, which may include community bed-based services, care homes and/or customers own homes.
To provide holistic assessments of the customer identifying areas of need and ensuring that appropriate provision is made to improve quality of life.
To work to service standards under the supervision of the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager.

Key tasks

To undertake assessments of needs for children and adults which may include, but not limited to, functional assessments, to prevent, reduce or delay the need for care.
To make recommendations for minor and major home adaptations.
To make recommendations for equipment and assistive technology to promote independence and safety at home.
To carry out assessments for re-housing applications.
To undertake specific assessments with customers according to their identified needs.
To be adaptable and flexible within the service areas, working alongside a range of colleagues to ensure effective provision of the identified support.
Work alongside Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy colleagues, Senior
Practitioners, and the Team Manager to deliver an effective, safe, high quality service.
To assist in the delivery of the Adult Social Care Front Door, supporting customers and colleagues.
To undertake assessment for provision of standard wheelchairs with some other enhanced prescribing rights at the direction of the Team Manager.
To work in collaboration with other services.
To refer customers to other services.
To record all assessments and take responsibility for data input.
To recognise limitations and identify to senior therapists when support is required.
To take an active role in project related activities within the service under the direction of the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager.
To identify learning needs and areas for development, alongside senior therapists/Team Managers.
To participate in learning opportunities within the service.
To participate in student education within the service.
To comply with the organisations and services essential training requirements.
To participate in supervision and appraisal with line manager.
To develop core skills and competencies throughout the duration of contract and associated learning period, including learning about Occupational Therapy skills in other settings, for example, health or hospital

Other duties/specific policies e.g. DBS

The post holder must carry out their duties with full regard to the Councils Equal Opportunities Policy, Code of Conduct and all other Council Policies.

The post holder must comply with the Councils Health and safety rules and regulations and with Health and safety legislation.

The post holder must comply with the principles of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to the management of Council records and information.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Evidence of recent academic study within the last four years at entry level
Five passes at GCSE grade C (numerical grade 4) or above, and including Maths and English GCSE at a minimum of Grade C or numerical grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent)
2 A level passes or equivalent, which must include a health or science related subject
Or combination of alternative qualifications that establish eligibility to gain entry to the Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship Degree

Experience

Essential

Experience of, or willingness to undertake training for skills in safe and effective moving and assisting vulnerable people
Experience of working with vulnerable people
Experience of working in an environment which requires effective communication & listening skills, including report writing

Skills, Knowledge, Ability (including ability to develop knowledge, skill or experience)

Essential

An ability to provide safe and effective Occupational Therapy assessments with
support/guidance from senior staff
An ability to work collaboratively and develop effective relationships with individuals and groups
Ability to critically analyse information
Ability to work as part of a high performing team, participating in and contributing towards team training
Ability to be flexible, prioritise workload and adjust plans according to competing demands
Ability to participate in projects as delegated by the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager
Ability to advocate for customers and their carers
Ability to communicate effectively with a range of diverse people and groups

Work Related Circumstances/ Values of the Council

Essential

Commitment to Equal Opportunities
Compliance with health and safety rules, regulations, and legislation
Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role.
Ability to comply with the Councils values of "We innovate, We enable, We respect"

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Evidence of recent academic study within the last four years at entry level
Five passes at GCSE grade C (numerical grade 4) or above, and including Maths and English GCSE at a minimum of Grade C or numerical grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent)
2 A level passes or equivalent, which must include a health or science related subject
Or combination of alternative qualifications that establish eligibility to gain entry to the Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship Degree

Experience

Essential

Experience of, or willingness to undertake training for skills in safe and effective moving and assisting vulnerable people
Experience of working with vulnerable people
Experience of working in an environment which requires effective communication & listening skills, including report writing

Skills, Knowledge, Ability (including ability to develop knowledge, skill or experience)

Essential

An ability to provide safe and effective Occupational Therapy assessments with
support/guidance from senior staff
An ability to work collaboratively and develop effective relationships with individuals and groups
Ability to critically analyse information
Ability to work as part of a high performing team, participating in and contributing towards team training
Ability to be flexible, prioritise workload and adjust plans according to competing demands
Ability to participate in projects as delegated by the Senior Practitioner/Team Manager
Ability to advocate for customers and their carers
Ability to communicate effectively with a range of diverse people and groups

Work Related Circumstances/ Values of the Council

Essential

Commitment to Equal Opportunities
Compliance with health and safety rules, regulations, and legislation
Ability to meet the travel requirements of the role.
Ability to comply with the Councils values of "We innovate, We enable, We respect"

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

Sunderland City Council

Address

Independent Living Centre

Leechmere

Sunderland

SR2 9TQ

Employer's website

https://www.sunderland.gov.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sunderland City Council

Address

Independent Living Centre

Leechmere

Sunderland

SR2 9TQ

Employer's website

https://www.sunderland.gov.uk (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

Principal Occupational Therapist

Angela Porritt

angela.porritt@sunderland.gov.uk

Date posted

19 April 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£24,294 to £25,979 a year plus Essential Car User Allowance

Contract

Apprenticeship

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

F0001-262516

Job locations

Independent Living Centre

Leechmere

Sunderland

SR2 9TQ

Supporting documents

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