Occupational Therapy Apprentice

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Occupational Therapy Apprentice in Tees Adult Learning Disability Service ,  you will attend university and clinical placements and supported by a registered occupational therapist gain knowledge of using occupational therapy in practice.

You will provide support to service users to engage in a therapeutic programme of care, as delegated by an occupational therapist, demonstrating adherence to the Trust Values at all times and operating as a member of the team, service and organisation.

The training takes two years or three years depending on the course/route the successful candidate is accepted on, (linked to candidates expressed preferences for which course/ route in their job application, and it is ok to put all/any).

• Year 1 is a B3 OT apprentice post.
• For years 2 and 3 the post moves to a B4 OT apprenticeship post if year 1 has been successfully completed.

Where the course is a two-year course with a requirement for e.g. a previous degree, the staff member is classed as starting at year 2 and begins in post on the B4 OT apprentice job description.

Main duties of the job

• Attend University and practice placements
• To be responsible for working with delegated service users and contributing to assessments and interventions to address key occupational areas of self-care, productivity and leisure.
• To engage service users and their carers in therapeutic programmes of care, supporting them in achieving their identified goals and promoting independence and well-being through a client-centred approach
• To participate in clinical supervision
• To contribute to multi-disciplinary team working
• To contribute to safety and quality improvement activities as part of occupational therapy team.
• To use the Trust electronic patient record system
• To abide by all Trust policies and procedures
• To be able to respond flexibly and creatively to challenges

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See attached job description(s).

To carry a designated caseload which remains the responsibility of the registered occupational therapist, often working without direct supervision in a variety of inpatient and community settings, including the service users own home.

To provide occupational therapy support to service users who have a range of mental health conditions and/or learning disabilities to enable them to maintain, restore or create a balance between their abilities and the demands of their occupation and environment in the areas of self-care, productivity and leisure.

To engage service users and their carers in co-produced/planned therapy programmes and encourage them in a compassionate manner, towards achieving their identified goals and to promote independence and well-being through a client-centred approach.

To provide the best possible experience for service users and carers.

To show commitment to and participate in quality improvement activities.

To promote at all times a positive image of people with mental health conditions and learning disabilities.

To promote at all times a positive image of the occupational therapy service/department and the wider Trust.

To attend University and clinical placements as set out in the relevant degree apprenticeship programme

To engage closely with the work based mentor, as well as clinical/professional supervisors and practice educators to support learning in the workplace

To complete and pass academic modules and clinical placements to the required standard in order to progress through the occupational therapy degree apprenticeship programme

To undertake a wide range of academic assessments for example; written assignments, presentations, practical demonstrations, viva voce, and completion of a portfolio

To ensure timely achievement in accordance with the academic programme requirements

To complete and pass the End Point Assessment

To organise and manage a dedicated clinical caseload in each rotation, area of clinical practice and/or placement, which will include gaining knowledge and experience of providing occupational therapy assessments and interventions for service users commensurate with the level/stage of apprenticeship

To demonstrate application of the occupational therapy process (assessment, intervention, evaluation) across a range of clinical settings commensurate with the level/stage of apprenticeship.