Occupational Therapy Apprentice

Join us as an apprentice and train to become a qualified Occupational Therapist, gaining a BSc Hons Degree in Occupational Therapy whilst you work.
This post is delivered in partnership with Coventry University and leads to a BSc in Occupational Therapy, approved by the Health and Care Professional Council and accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
The post is a blend of integrated learning between the workplace (4 days per week) and the University (1 day per week). Three full time practice placements will also be completed over the course of the degree to provide required experience in other clinical settings or organisations. You are expected to be at work 5 days a week during university breaks.
You will be taught one day per week at university except during the full-time placements. There is also an expectation of independent study and workplace learning of up to 20 hours per week. You will have a mentor assigned to you from within the OT team who will support your learning., For the duration of the apprenticeship, you will be working at the same location, however your three full time university practice placements will provide an opportunity to experience how the profession works in different settings such acute general hospitals, community services, schools, with children, adults, and older people.
You will work alongside qualified Occupational Therapists and be supported by a work-based mentor who will provide a 'bridge' between work and university-based learning.
You will be patient-facing from the very start, so that you can develop your clinical competencies and knowledge related to the role of an Occupational Therapist with increasing confidence.
Our core business as Occupational Therapists is specialist assessment and intervention to ensure the delivery of an evidence-based, specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention service to maximise health and wellbeing to the people that use our services., Obtaining the post will be dependent on firstly successfully completing a two-step interview process for the Trust and then being accepted by Coventry University - London base.
+ This role will require you to undertake work which is relevant to your level of knowledge and experience and will increase in complexity as you progress with your training.
+ This role also entails working alongside qualified Occupational Therapists to assist in the application of knowledge gained from university attendance.
+ The post holder must uphold both their clinical workplace commitments and those for their academic study, completing all necessary work by the deadline and completing clinical placements to a satisfactory level.
+ Ongoing progression in university study is essential for this position, employment will be unable to continue without academic attendance and eventual degree level qualification.
WHEN APPLYING FOR THE POST PLEASE ENSURE:
a) Your application form clearly identifies how you meet the ESSENTIAL CRITERIA as set out in the Job Description.
b) You clearly state your education qualifications on your application form with dates obtained and specific grades achieved.
c) You have a passion to become an Occupational Therapist and are realistic about your capacity to manage a demanding work role plus university study in your own time. Emotional resilience, ability to manage pressure and deadlines, and availability to study evenings and weekends are essential.
+ The post holder will support the delivery of occupational therapy assessment and intervention on Avalon Ward.
+ You will be supporting individuals in their recovery - working collaboratively with service users and their families/carers to achieve optimum levels of occupational performance and occupational balance in the areas of identity, communication skills, occupational roles, lifestyle management, motivation, interpersonal skills, cognitive skills, self-care, productivity (education, training and/or employment) and leisure.
+ You will work in our skilled multi-disciplinary team alongside Occupational Therapists who deliver evidence-based assessment and intervention. Our Occupational Therapists offer a unique understanding of occupational performance, physical and mental health, children and young people occupations and child development in the context of mental health. We work in innovative ways to deliver OT interventions to enable individuals to reach their occupational potential and fulfil their role and identity as occupational beings.
+ Under the supervision of a registered occupational therapist, you will contribute to the delivery of occupationally focussed assessment and interventions with an agreed caseload. In addition to a robust occupational focus, you will contribute to risk assessment and risk management processes.
+ Under the supervision/guidance of the Occupational Therapist you will develop, implement, and evaluate programmes of care on an individual and group basis.
+ You will develop and maintain partnership working and good professional links with statutory, voluntary, and private organisations as well as the multi-disciplinary team.
+ You will undertake occupational therapy assessments that demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between occupation and health and wellbeing.
+ You will work with people to implement their care plan for them to regain control over their own unique recovery journey.
+ You will work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team and maintain communication networks with staff, service users and carers.
+ You will facilitate and support information sharing to promote choice, self-determination, and opportunities for the fulfilment of socially valued roles and connection to local communities.
+ You will assess service user's physical health needs and prescribe/facilitate use of equipment, assistive technology and environmental adaptations when required to enhance occupational performance.
+ You will be an active member of the OT Service and wider MDT.
+ You will participate in MDT meetings and OT Team meetings where relevant.
At South West London St Georges Mental Health Trust we are committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Committed Employer, and welcome applications from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We are Members of Stonewall Diversity Champions and Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion.
As part of the Trust's commitment to Equalities and Diversity, the Trust supports the establishment of Staff Networks groups to promote diversity in the workplace:
+ BME (Evolve) Staff Network
+ Christian Staff Network
+ DiverseAbility
+ Deaf Staff Network
+ Mental Health Staff Forum
+ Women's Staff Network
+ LGBTQIA+
We are committed to supporting the Armed Forces Community and has signed the Armed Forces Covenant.
We provide reasonable adjustments to the interview process for any candidates with a disability.
Please note:
+ That the closing date listed is a guide only and that the vacancy may close earlier should sufficient number of applicants have been received
+ That once you have submitted your application you agree to your application being transferred to a 3^rd party e-recruitment system
+ That should you not have heard from us within three weeks from the closing date your application has not successful
+ That priority consideration for applications may be given to at-risk NHS employees
+ That should you be successful and appointed, you authorise South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust to confirm your previous NHS service via an Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process
+ That your employment is offered subject to successful completion of a Probationary Period depending on your Band (except medical roles)
+ That we are a smoke-free Trust

NHS AfC: Band 4
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust has a rich history, well-established community links and an international reputation. We provide a full range of local mental health services to the Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth London boroughs, as well as specialist forensic mental health services, including specialised services such as national deaf adults and CAMHS inpatients and OCD.
We are committed to providing high quality integrated health and social care for local people with mental health problems in South West London and more specialist mental health services for people throughout the UK. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' however we aim to be 'outstanding'.
Our Values
We take pride in providing specialist care to our service users where our Trust values; being consistent, compassionate, collaborative, respectful and open is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is "making life better together".
When you join us, you'll be part of something special - an innovative and rapidly growing organisation that is helping to redefine the Mental Health, education and social care landscape in the UK.
As a Trust, we are happy to talk flexible working., We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
About our locations:
Springfield University Hospital, Tooting
Our largest, 19-ward site is in Springfield Village, created following our £150m investment into two new world class mental health facilities. A 32-acre public park, shops and cafes are coming soon. Close to shops, cafes and Tooting Bec on the Northern Line plus Earlsfield and Tooting rail stations and bus routes.