Occupational Therapy Degree Apprenticeship

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, (LGT), is a community-focused provider of local and acute care, delivering high-quality services to over one million people living across the London boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich, and Bexley. We provide whole-life care and are here to support our communities to live healthier lives as well as taking care of them when they need us the most.

Employing almost 7,500 colleagues, affectionately known as Team LGT, we provide services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, University Hospital Lewisham, and at over a dozen community settings in Lewisham. We also provide some services at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup.

We have recently launched our new vision and values to mark the LGT10 – the tenth anniversary of our Trust forming in 2013. Our trust vision is to be exceptional. In the quality of our patient care; our support for colleagues; and in the difference we make through our partnerships and in our communities.

To achieve this we value Respect, Compassion, and Inclusion; Being accountable over staying comfortable; Listening over always knowing best; and Succeeding together over achieving alone. You can read more about our visions and values here

Our hospitals and community sites provide a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services, as well as emergency and planned care. The Trust is rated as “good” or “outstanding” in over three-quarters of the services inspected by the Care Quality Commission.

Every year our work includes performing 10,000 procedures in our theatres; bringing seven and a half thousand new lives into the world; carrying out 570,000 visits to patients in their homes or communities and providing emergency care for more than 300,000 patients arriving in our busy Urgent and Emergency Departments.

LGT is a centre for the education and training of medical students enrolled with King’s College London’s GKT School of Medical Education. We are a training centre for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. We are pioneering new roles that will support the changing needs of our patients and are one of the largest employers of physician associates in the country.

We are committed to working with our partners to deliver the best outcomes for our local communities. This means playing an active role in the South East London Integrated Care System (ICS), and in formal partnerships including the South East London Acute Provider Collaborative, provider partnerships with our local mental health trusts and borough-based boards of the ICS in Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham.

Job overview

The role provides direct patient care, with support from registered members of staff and also offers guidance to the non-registered workforce within the clinical areas where working. The role reports to designated registered Occupational Therapy Supervisors and works across a variety of Therapy areas within Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust and in conjunction with our partners.

We have a vacancy on both of our hospital sites; initially you will be working within our acute inpatient therapy teams, with view to start the course in September 2025

In this role, you will be working within a hospital setting, providing assessment and treatment programmes for patients, under the supervision of qualified therapy staff. You will be managing your own caseload and working autonomously. Due to the nature of the caseload this role will include moving and handling.

The ideal candidate will have experience working with patients in a hospital or community setting, and have excellent communication and rapport skills. An ability to work flexibly within a fast paced environment is essential.

Main duties of the job

Please note: we are unable to offer sponsorship for this post

As an apprentice you will complete an academic component (20% or 6 hours) in addition to the work-based, on the job learning element (80%) of the apprenticeship. You will spend time away from work, studying with other apprentices at the university linked to your course.

The academic learning will take place in alignment with the university calendar and you will be granted the usual annual leave of a member of staff in your organisation.

As an Occupational Therapy Apprentice you will be based as an employee of Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust working in a variety of settings. This will enable you to gain a wide appreciation of many health and care contexts, which will enable you to fulfil all the requirements of the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Programme.

On successful completion of the Programme you will be equipped with the appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to ensure competence at the point of qualification. You will have the capability to continue to meet Health and Care Professions Council regulatory standards and the Royal College of OT (RCOT) professional standards throughout your professional career.

To apply for this role, you must have proof of gaining at least a grade C in English and Maths at GCSE level (or equivalent). If successful in shortlisting you will not be interviewed unless proof is provided- (for example certificates)

Working for our organisation

Please see attached document for entry requirements.

This post may close earlier if a high number of applications

This position is accountable to the Inpatient Occupational Therapy Lead. The post holder will provide therapy in a hospital setting, contributing to the pathway of care and supporting initiatives to shorten patients’ stay in hospital and maximise clinical outcome.

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

1. Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
2. Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
3. Improving the experience of staff with disability
4. Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
5. Making equalities mainstream

"This is what a therapist looks like" (youtube.com)

"This is what a therapist looks like" (youtube.com)

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached documents for full Job description and University details

Job Summary:

The role provides direct patient care, with support from registered members of staff and also offers guidance to the non-registered workforce within the clinical areas where working. The role reports to designated registered OT Supervisors and works across a variety of OT areas within Lewisham & Greenwich NHS Trust and in conjunction with our partners.

Key areas of practice:

• Patients with problems related to Orthopaedics, General surgery and Rehabilitation
• Patients with problems related to musculoskeletal function
• Patients with problems related to neurological function
• Patients with problems related to respiratory function
• Patients requiring rehabilitation in Care of the Elderly
• Paediatric patients with rehabilitation/functional requirements
• Patients with Mental Health Conditions
• Patients in the Community and Acute settings requiring Therapy

Training Summary:

As an Occupational Therapist Apprentice you will be based as an employee within Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Foundation Trust, working in a variety of settings. This will enable you to gain a wide appreciation of many health and social care contexts, which will enable you to fulfil all the requirements of the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapist Programme.

On successful completion of the Programme you will be equipped with the appropriate knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors to ensure competence at the point of qualification. You will have the capability to continue to meet Health and Care Professions Council regulatory standards and the Royal College of Occupational Therapy professional standards throughout your professional career.

• Key Responsibilities:

1. To successfully complete the required training and education specific to the role, as agreed with line manager and supervisor. This includes related assignments, tasks and sessions.
2. To provide clinical care within your scope of practice, using a variety of safe assessment and treatment methods, accessing support when required
3. To rotate into a variety of areas within the OT service to provide expertise and patient care
4. To support with the development of support workers within the clinical setting
5. To undertake administration task related to Occupational Therapy.
6. To work as a highly motivated team member within the MDT setting to achieve best outcomes.
7. To commit to a Philosophy of a patient centred approach to care, with emphasis on patient and service user empowerment.
8. To be responsible for a case load of patients with support, applying learning to practice, demonstrating knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of high quality care, whilst observing and implementing policies, guidelines and procedures.

1. To assess people’s occupational need, taking into account their occupations, role, environment and lifestyle. To work in partnership with the service user to agree priority areas for intervention which address problems with performing and managing occupations.
2. To be responsible for intervention planning, delivery and also evaluation of progress towards goals.
3. The focus of intervention is to promote individuals’ independence, choice, dignity and wellbeing whilst in hospital and upon their return to the community.
4. To be responsible for organising and prioritising designated caseload, demonstrating effective clinical reasoning, with support from the Senior Occupational Therapist.
5. To as appropriate delegate aspects of intervention plans to Support Workers responsibly
6. To contribute to decision-making related to patient care through active participation in communication networks, which may include multi-disciplinary meetings, case conference or providing written reports.
7. To understand the implications of medication and medical conditions on care and treatment planning and relate this to the patient, family or carer as appropriate
8. To recognise signs of deterioration and complete appropriate risk assessment, document and seek advice and support from Occupational Therapist

1. To maintain accurate records of activity and contribute input into trust information systems as directed
2. To maintain accurate records of all patient consultations and related work carried out at each clinical session, including computerised data collection.
3. To plan own workload around such activities as domiciliary visits

1. To provide supportive and sensitive communication, written and verbal advice to clients, carers and staff, whilst demonstrating an understanding of the nature and effects of some information and of barriers to effective communication eg sensory problems
2. To provide appropriate education to patients with diverse mental and physical long term health conditions, utilising analytical and reasoning skills in this process in order to empower the patient and others to participate in the patients self-care.
3. To be responsible for own administration tasks, including prompt and accurate completion of clinical and statistical records to RCOT, Trust and departmental guidelines.
4. To comply with the hygiene code ensuring all working practice supports infection prevention and control including awareness of hand hygiene and environmental cleanliness in all clinical areas.
5. To adhere to the standards, policies and procedures of the Trust and Department and the Royal College Of Occupational Therapists, Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and associated legislation eg Health and Safety At Work Act.
6. To undertake Clinical Governance activities: demonstrating evidence of Continuing Professional Development including mandatory training, participation in departmental induction, performance development review, health and safety, risk management and clinical audit, and to receive clinical supervision and occasionally provide supervision to OT support workers and students.

1. To identify own training and development needs and active participation in the delivery of training opportunities for staff and students, including those from other teams and disciplines.
2. To seek opportunities for involvement in activities to promote Occupational Therapy and practice development.
3. To contribute to departmental routine including housekeeping and clerical tasks.
4. To undertake any other appropriate additional duties, as required by the needs of the service
5. To take part in trust and service audit activity as may relate to own work and caseload

1. Wherever possible, make best use of time and resources in order to maximise the benefit to both the patient and organisation. In this way the post holder will support the organisation in delivering value for money.
2. To be responsible for monitoring stock levels in own service area and request new equipment as appropriate.
3. Be responsible for the care and maintenance of instruments and equipment as delegated.

1. To be flexible and provide cover for other members of the team at short notice or during periods of absence
2. Wherever possible, make best use of time and resources in order to maximise the benefit to both the patient and organisation. In this way the post holder will support the organisation in delivering value for money.
3. Where appropriate and required to work flexibly across 7 day services.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• Maths and English A-C grade or equivalent
• Demonstration of successful certificated learning at level 3 (A level, Access, BTEC Diploma or Extended Diploma)
• Training requirement: to have all the entry requirement criteria for the University Apprenticeship Course as they stipulate

• Experience working as a Band 3 Therapy Assistant
• Experience of working clinically in physio / occupational therapy service in acute setting

Experience

• Ability to demonstrate and develop
• Physiotherapy knowledge and be able to relate theory into practice.
• Reflective practice skills
• Develop the ability to plan and prioritise own workload with support and guidance from Physiotherapists.
• IT experience.
• Extensive experience as a Therapy Assistant or similar
• Able to use initiative and work independently, able to manage time, prioritise and organise own workload
• Experience of assessing patients requiring equipment and instructing them in their correct and safe usage
• Evidence of ability to work without direct supervision

• NHS experience
• Moving and Handling Skills
• Evidence of training and learning in a related area Knowledge of a variety of acute and chronic conditions
• Experience of supervision of patients undergoing exercise as individuals
• Experience of facilitating classes and or patient education
• Experience of administrative work e.g. photocopying and filing
• Experience of collecting data related to outcome measurement
• Demonstrates understanding of the role of Physiotherapy

Skills and competencies

• Effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills demonstrating empathy and sensitivity.
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to engage individuals in assessment and rehabilitation programme through motivation/negotiation.
• IT skills, including keyboard (and use of e-mail)
• Able to learn new procedures and techniques and follow instructions
• Can demonstrate decision-making ability
• Able to maintain and appropriately manage own caseload of patients with routine conditions as delegated by the therapist
• Able to follow and progress prescribed clinical programmes/ protocols with minimal or no immediate supervision
• Punctual and able to manage a workload efficiently, and organise time effectively
• Willing to work flexibly in various geographical areas within Trust and attend learning opportunities South East London
• Able to recognise, and take some responsibility for, own training needs
• Able to cope with a busy working environment, and periods of interruption during the day
• Have a flexible approach to working and able to undertake weekend working as required
• Motivated, enthusiastic and friendly

We reserve the right to close the post before the stated closing date, please apply early. We do not contact applicants with the outcome of the shortlisting. If you have been shortlisted, you will receive an invite to an assessment day or interview.

We have a number of active staff networks including Disability, LGBT+, Multicultural Inclusion and Women’s staff networks to bring staff together and celebrate diversity across our whole workforce.

Please note, not all roles will meet the criteria for a skilled worker visa.