Occupational Therapy Apprentice Plymouth, England
Job description
Job Purpose:
This is a development role. The apprentice will work towards progression into the post of HCPC registered Occupational Therapist through successful completion of the Degree apprenticeship in Occupational Therapy programme which combines academic and work-based learning through the employer and education provide collaboration.
This post would work on a variety of wards. The majority of the patients referred present a wide range of acute and chronic complex and highly complex needs, e.g. stroke, dementia etc.
The post will start as a Band 2 year 1, band 3 year 2 and band 4 year 3
Key Dimensions:
Post holder will be based at Derriford Hospital as a paid employee in the Occupational Therapy Department for 80% of the contracted hours, and 20% of their time studying in HEI.
Apprentice Occupational Therapist will be required to achieve the education and practice standards as set out by HCPC, University of Plymouth and the Institute of Apprenticeships and undertake an integrated end point assessment, as well as completion of the degree programme. Commitment to self-directed study and successful completion of the programme within the contracted period is required
As an Apprentice Occupational Therapist, they will be supervised and supported by Clinical Educators, experienced Workplace Mentors and Practice Assessors, as part of the MDT Team, assisting with the assessment and treatment of patients referred to the OT Team.
This post also provides clerical / administration support to the Occupational Therapists and the Occupational Therapy Department.
To be an active member of the 7-days working rota, where required.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to enable you to take your first steps to become an Occupational Therapist. We are looking for one enthusiastic and highly motivated people to join our team as Apprentice Occupational Therapist at UHPT. This is a new role that will see you working alongside a multidisciplinary team whilst you train to become an Occupational Therapist. You’ll have extensive workplace learning and practice within our Occupational Therapy Department, supported by both academic learning at the university and distance learning.
The Occupational Therapy Department is committed to Continued Professional Development and involves all grades of staff in its In-Service Training programmes.
***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***
PRIMARY DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Clinical
1. Explain to patients, relatives and those with whom they come into contact with the role of the occupational therapist.
2. Obtain informed consent from the patient, and work within the current legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent, prior to commencing any treatment.
3. Through conversation with the patient, patient’s relatives / next of kin obtain information regarding their social circumstances, difficulties encountered with aspects of Activities of Daily Living and their work and leisure and make follow-up calls, as directed by Occupational Therapist.
4. Implement individual/group treatment sessions, as instructed by the Occupational Therapist - this will include washing, dressing, kitchen or bathing assessment and remedial therapy work, utilizing interpersonal skills and demonstrating empathy in order to achieve the goal.
5. Issue and instruct patients and relatives in the safe use of prescribed Occupational Therapy equipment and issue small aids accordingly.
6. Deliver and fit equipment as prescribed by the Occupational Therapist to the patients’ home.
7. Use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to communicate effectively with patients. This will include patients who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating, e.g. patients with dysphasia, those who may be depressed, deaf, or who may be unable to accept their diagnosis/prognosis.
8. Utilizing interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy and involving patients in their treatment, in order to achieve the treatment goal.
9. Observe general behaviour, cognitive function, general functional ability and response of the patient.
10. Advise the Occupational Therapist on patients’ performance or response to the treatment, and advise other members of multi-disciplinary team, where appropriate.
11. Assist with Home Visits to ensure the health & safety of the patient and other people present, this may include arranging transport, liaising with relatives, and coordinating with all relevant agencies/parties.
12. Assist with the fabrication of thermoplastics splints, as required.
13. Work as a member of the Occupational Therapy and Multi-disciplinary Team, sharing patient information, and providing progress reports on individual patient needs, ensuring a better and higher standard of patient care.
14. Attend hand over, multi-disciplinary team meetings as the occupational therapy representative, as delegated by the Occupational Therapist.
15. Provide accurate reports on individual patients treated in the Medical Notes, in a timely manner.
16. Make referrals to other agencies, as directed by Occupational Therapist.
17. Issue and advise patient on resources for discharge eg. Call 24 leaflets. Care & Repairs to promote the well-being and safety of the patient at home.
18. Adopt a flexible approach in providing cover for staff of the same or lesser grade who are absent, as delegated by Team Leaders or the Head of Clinical Professions.
Administrative:
1. Responsible for collecting new referrals from the wards in a timely manner.
2. Ensure the loan equipment procedure and documentation are completed as required by Departmental policy.
3. Responsible to take action to ensure defective equipment is withdrawn from service, and report the defects to the OT Manager.
4. Provide and maintain accurate Patient Statistics, departmental records / reports as required.
5. Responsible for general housekeeping, keeping stores tidy and the appropriate use of resources within the Occupational Therapy Department.
6. Assist in stock control, where appropriate.
7. Trace medical notes, filing OT notes into medical notes and retrieve appropriate information utilising the PIMS.
8. Provide clerical and administrative support to the Occupational Therapists and the Department, as required. Tasks may include: maintaining patient registers, preparing patient folders, faxing or making telephone referrals; photocopying; assembling assessment packs; assembling Information booklets; answering telephones and reception duty.
Professional:
1. Responsible to organise / manage own day-to-day delegated tasks.
2. Take an active part in the supervision, and appraisal process, ensuring that senior staff are aware of any training requirements.
3. Attend meetings, in-service training and courses, as appropriate.
4. Responsible for learning about relevant conditions and their management related to your job.
5. Assist in providing non-clinical induction or support for students, lesser experienced staffs and new assistants.
6. Assist, when necessary, in planning and organising in-service training of Occupational Therapy staff.
7. Responsible for following the Departmental and College of Occupational Therapy policies, standards and guidelines, and maintaining a high professional standard at all times.
8. Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
9. Contribute to the discussion of and actively participate in the departmental changes, taking account of resources available.
10. Responsible to ensure an effective communication takes place at all times, taking a team approach to patient care and service needs.
11. Responsibility to keep update on immunisation.
12. Responsible to attend statutory training and courses.
13. Maintain patient confidentiality and security of patient and staff records.
14. Participate in clinical governance activities, which include clinical audit, survey, research, and the use of Internet and library to keep up-to-date with evidence-based practice, as required.
COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
Within the organisation:
Face to face or telephone contact with: patients, relatives, Occupational Therapist, Nursing staff, physiotherapists; speech & language therapists, dieticians, social worker based in Derriford, medical staff, consultants, ward clerks, medical secretaries, Patient Transport.
Outside the organisation:
Face to face, fax or telephone contacts with: other Occupational Therapy staff in PCT, Reablement Team, Social Services (Plymouth, Devon & Cornwall), Integrated Equipment Loan Stores, Community care worker and district nurses.
All Job Holders are required to… THIS PAGE MUST BE INCLUDED IN ALL JOB DESCRIPTIONS
- Work to the Trust values - Put patients first, Take ownership, Respect others, Be positive, Listen, learn and improve.
- Adhere to Trust policies and procedures, e.g. Health and Safety at Work, Equal Opportunities etc.
- Maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities and encourage and support staff development and training.
- Attend statutory, essential and mandatory training.
- Respect the confidentiality of all matters relating to their employment and other members of staff. All members of staff are required to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998.
- Comply with the Corporate Governance structure in keeping with the principles and standards set out by the Trust.
- Comply with the codes of professional conduct set out by the professional body of which registration is required for the post.
- Ensure they are familiar with the Risk Management Framework, follow policies, procedures and safe systems of work, make known any hazards or risks that they identify and take all necessary actions to reduce risk.
- Ensure the welfare and safety of children within their care. This includes staff who come into contact with children and families in the course of their work as well as those staff who have a specific role with children and families.
- Ensure they attend Child Protection training at the appropriate level within the specified time frame.
- Staff must comply with Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in order to promote safeguarding and prevent abuse to vulnerable people using Trust services.
- Maintain the prevention and control of infection and fully comply with all current Trust Infection Control policies and procedures.
- Take responsibility for any records that they create or use in the course of their duties, in line with the Public Records Act and be aware that any records created by an employee of the NHS are public records and may be subject to both legal and professional obligations.
