Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship

Job overview

Are you caring, compassionate, motivated, transformational and dynamic?

Are you ready for the next exciting chapter in your career to become a Registered Occupational Therapist?

Then look no further!

As an Occupational Therapy Apprentice, you will work towards progressing into the post of -Occupational Therapist through the successful completion of the Occupational Therapy degree apprenticeship programme, which includes the attainment of a level 6 BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy qualification whilst you work. The 4-year Degree Occupational Therapist Apprenticeship programme is an innovative route which allows you to combine work based and academic learning.

Please follow this link to find out more about being an Occupational Therapist in Children & Family Health Devon:   We are CFHD OT on Vimeo

Main duties of the job

• Deliver high quality, compassionate care under the direction of an Occupational Therapist (or other registered care professional dependent on setting) with a focus on promoting health and independence
• Have proficient attitudes and behaviours compatible with NHS Values
• Work as part of a designated clinical team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual encompassing high-quality care for every patient,
• Carry out specific delegated clinical and care tasks to a high standard and competency, under the direction and supervision of an assessor, supervisor, Occupational Therapist or registered health and social professional
• Work with a mentor to take responsibility for developing own clinical competence, leadership and reflective practice skills within the workplace, whilst on placements and through attending the degree Occupational Therapy training programme
• Develop by the end of the degree training Programme the ability to work without direct supervision, delivering care independently in line with the individual’s defined plan of care

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication and working relationships

• Communicate effectively across a wide range of channels and with a wide range of individuals, the public, health and social care professionals, maintaining the focus of communication on delivering and improving health and care services
• Demonstrate those inter-personal skills that promote clarity, compassion, empathy, respect and trust
• Contribute to team success and challenge others constructively
• Communicate with individuals, carers and other visitors in a courteous and helpful manner, whilst being mindful that there may be barriers to understanding
• Ensure all patient related information is treated sensitively and adhere to the principals of confidentiality at all times
• Report any accidents or incidents and raise any concerns as per organisational policy
• Ensure clear, concise, accurate and legible records and all communication is maintained in relation to care delivered adhering to local and national guidance
• Ensure ability to manage electronic records system taking cognisance of need to protect access (ID, passwords, swipe cards)

Planning and organisation

• Plan and manage competing demands of job role, study and placement activities
• Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organisational skills to effectively deliver person-centred care for an allocated group of individuals
• Ability to undertake placements across the ICO and wider Devon Area and work unsocial hours as part of a shift pattern including nights, weekends and bank holidays to experience the whole patient journey

Responsibility and accountability

• To maintain accurate comprehensive and up to date documentation, in line with legal, departmental and RCOT standards of practice
• To take part in regular supervision which takes the form of formal and informal training and clinical reasoning sessions
• Ensure compliance with GDPR
• To be legally literate and work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment

Responsibility for patients and client care

• Promote health and safety management of risk and patient safety, conforming legislation, organisational policies, procedures and guidelines under supervision to meet the programmed requirements
• Work within the degree Occupational Therapist apprentice scope of practice
• Be responsible and accountable for own practice, working within limits of competence and within professional boundaries
• Raise concerns to a registered care professional or appropriate person
• Act in ways which support equality and value diversity
• Share ideas with colleagues to improve care and suggest areas for innovation
• Participate in audit activities being undertaken in area of practice
• Contribute to the improvement of service by reflecting on own practice and supporting that of others

Policy and service responsibility

• Adhere to legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines both local and national Regularly attend workplace and staff engagement meetings and contribute positively to discussions about the improvement of care
• To plan the working day to ensure patients/service users are seen in a timely and appropriate manner
• To attend meetings in a timely manner
• Responsible for organising planned/delegated work activities within an occasionally unpredictable work environment
• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practise through CPD activities, and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development

Teaching and Training

• Be proactive in seeking opportunities to develop own knowledge and skills, achieving clinical competencies and Degree / Level 6 qualification within agreed timeframes
• Seek support / guidance in timely manner if any difficulties are encountered
• Work in partnership with manager to develop and deliver on Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART) objectives at annual appraisal and personal development planning meeting
• Take responsibility for organising and attending statutory / mandatory updates in accordance with organisational requirements
• Act as an excellent role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace. Recognising and either directly challenging or seeks support to challenge any poor practice observed
• Be responsible in seeking feedback from professionals and planning assessment whilst in placements

Information technology and administrative duties

• Computer literate
• To be competent in the use of data recording systems used within the Trust to include IHCS, PARIS, systmOne etc to record patient related activity and data