Job summary
This is a new opportunity for a current Therapy Assistant within the service to undertake a Level 6 degree apprenticeship course, supported by Sheffield Hallam University.
You will be employed in a Therapy Assistant role working to support the Special Schools team deliver the service alongside studying a degree qualification to enable registration with the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist. This will be a 30-month (plus end point assessment) training post which starts in September 2024.
The course will enable you to become an Occupational Therapist through on the job learning, clinical placements, and university modules (academic work). During your training, you will develop your skills to a competent standard and at the end of your apprenticeship you will be able to demonstrate these competencies in an end point assessment and gain a degree qualification.
Main duties of the job
An Apprentice Occupational Therapist is a developmental role within a area of the service. You will be employed in a Therapy Assistant role working to support the team delivering the service alongside studying a degree qualification to enable registration with the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist. This will be a 30-month (plus end point assessment) training post.
As an Apprentice Occupational Therapist, you will support the delivery of interventions including assessment, rehabilitation, and the provision of specialist occupational therapy.
You will work within a team of professionals as you train to become an Occupational Therapist through on the job learning, clinical placements, and university modules (academic work). You will be able to demonstrate these competencies in an end point assessment and gain a degree qualification. This will enable you to practice as a Band 5 Occupational Therapist and gain HCPC registration.
You will undertake and complete all elements of the Level 6-degree Apprenticeship. You will attend Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) and be allocated clinical placements to gain your degree in Occupational Therapy.
During the initial phase of the training programme, all activities should be under direct guidance and supervision of the registered Occupational Therapist. As the training progresses, following discussion and agreement with the mentor's ad supervisors, supervision and guidance regarding responsibilities will be both direct and indirect.
About us
Sheffield Children's is one of three independent, specialist paediatric hospitals in the country, providing dedicated healthcare for children and young people across community, mental health and acute specialist settings.
We have three overarching aims that set the direction for the Trust in our vision "to create a healthier future for children and young people."
- Outstanding patient care
- Brilliant place to work
- Leader in children's health
Our commitment to rewarding colleagues is demonstrated through our brilliant reward and benefits offer including; generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme and access to salary sacrifice schemes such as cycle to work and lease cars.
We are committed to supporting colleagues from different heritages and lifestyles while at work. This is supported through the offer we have in place for flexible working and the three equality network groups we have in place. Colleagues are encouraged to join these groups and request flexible working.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
- Work in a collaborative and cooperative manner with service users, their families/carers and other health, social care and education professionals. Recognise and respect their involvement in the planning and delivery of care.
- Assist in the maintenance of a safe therapeutic environment beneficial to the needs of service users, relatives, carers, and others.
- Contribute to the team approach, providing accurate and relevant feedback to registered staff; participate in team discussions and meetings regarding care and treatment of service users.
- Develop a therapeutic relationship with service users to encourage and maximise their engagement and participation in therapeutic activities.
- Under the direct supervision of the Senior Occupational Therapy colleague, contribute to management of a client group caseload. This will include responsibility for planning your own day to day activities, ie delivering group and induvial therapy programmes.
- Play a part in risk assessments.
- Activities may include:-
- postural management
- activities of daily living
- assistive technology
- Wheelchair / specialist seating
- orthotics
- equipment provision
Education
- To keep up to date with changing practice and attend relevant training appropriate to the role as directed.
- Promote positive attitudes towards physical and mental health.
- Participate in personal development reviews (PDRs) and supervision process from identified senior practitioner.
- Contribute to the learning environment of staff and students.
Finance and Workforce
- To play a role in making best use of available material / equipment resources and contributing to provision of best therapy outcomes possible.
- Follow Trust and Service policies relating to the security of the building/service users, to ensure safe practice and protection of service users, staff, visitors and members of the general public.
- Play a part in the service provision that is both safe and therapeutic within span of developing knowledge.
- Develop effective time management skills.
Record Keeping and Administration Skills
- To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with SCH Trust Policy and professional guidelines. This will include the upkeep of accurate electronic patient records in accordance with relevant Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) Guidelines and Trust Policy.
Practice Development and Clinical Audit
- To participate with support in clinical audit.
- Contribute to team and service improvement, continuously looking to improve services.
- To play a part in the development of the profession in the Trust
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Childrens being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:
- Compassion leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence delivering a high-quality standard of care
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Practice
- Work in a collaborative and cooperative manner with service users, their families/carers and other health, social care and education professionals. Recognise and respect their involvement in the planning and delivery of care.
- Assist in the maintenance of a safe therapeutic environment beneficial to the needs of service users, relatives, carers, and others.
- Contribute to the team approach, providing accurate and relevant feedback to registered staff; participate in team discussions and meetings regarding care and treatment of service users.
- Develop a therapeutic relationship with service users to encourage and maximise their engagement and participation in therapeutic activities.
- Under the direct supervision of the Senior Occupational Therapy colleague, contribute to management of a client group caseload. This will include responsibility for planning your own day to day activities, ie delivering group and induvial therapy programmes.
- Play a part in risk assessments.
- Activities may include:-
- postural management
- activities of daily living
- assistive technology
- Wheelchair / specialist seating
- orthotics
- equipment provision
Education
- To keep up to date with changing practice and attend relevant training appropriate to the role as directed.
- Promote positive attitudes towards physical and mental health.
- Participate in personal development reviews (PDRs) and supervision process from identified senior practitioner.
- Contribute to the learning environment of staff and students.
Finance and Workforce
- To play a role in making best use of available material / equipment resources and contributing to provision of best therapy outcomes possible.
- Follow Trust and Service policies relating to the security of the building/service users, to ensure safe practice and protection of service users, staff, visitors and members of the general public.
- Play a part in the service provision that is both safe and therapeutic within span of developing knowledge.
- Develop effective time management skills.
Record Keeping and Administration Skills
- To maintain standards of record keeping and associated administration in accordance with SCH Trust Policy and professional guidelines. This will include the upkeep of accurate electronic patient records in accordance with relevant Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) Guidelines and Trust Policy.
Practice Development and Clinical Audit
- To participate with support in clinical audit.
- Contribute to team and service improvement, continuously looking to improve services.
- To play a part in the development of the profession in the Trust
Inclusive Recruitment & Selection
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and accurate data capture is an important part of that to ensure we are supportive and representative. Our aim is to ensure that all applicants can see themselves in the available categories on our application form, but we recognise that some of our data capture fields are not inclusive. We have flagged this with our system provider to ask for change.
We offer encouragement and active support to applicants with additional needs, including those from ethnic minorities, with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you wish to adjust any aspect of the recruitment process or wish to find out more about our recruitment & selection processes, please get in touch with our Recruitment Manager: Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
We are continually reviewing our recruitment & selection process to support the long-term aim of Sheffield Childrens being a champion of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you have any ideas for improvement, please get in touch with Catherine Gilbert at Catherine.Gilbert7@nhs.net
Trust Values
The Trust is committed to providing great quality patient care and keep children, young people and families at the heart of what we do by following our CARE values:
- Compassion leading by kindness and showing empathy, understanding and respect
- Accountability striving to do the right thing and owning responsibility
- Respect value differences, tackling inequality and fostering a culture of inclusion
- Excellence delivering a high-quality standard of care
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Three GCSE passes at grade C / grade 4 or above in Maths, English, and Science, or equivalent e.g., Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English Plus, You'll need to provide evidence that you have successfully completed a Level 3 qualification in a Health / Science subject
- if you do not have 6 months experience, we will consider one of the following: : or one of the following below: o96 UCAS points from 3 A levels oLevel 3 BTEC National Qualifications MMM oAccess to HE Diploma oT-Levels oLevel 3 Higher Technical Qualifications oPrevious degree level or higher study including Foundation Degrees oExperience of working with children and young people oExperience of delivering care oRecent Health & Social Care employment in a service user role.
Desirable
- Manual Handling training
- Resuscitation / life saving skills
- Experience of working with children with disabilities
- Experience of working in Special Education
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- The ability to develop relationships with service users and carers.
- Good organisational, compassionate, and caring skills.
- Ability to work within the limits of own competence and responsibility, referring issues on to relevant people
- The ability to monitor and prioritise own workload and work as an effective member of a team.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Willingness to travel for tutorials and placement experience.
- Able to do flexible shift patterns for placement experience
- Committed and motivated to deliver outstanding patient care.
Trust Values
Essential
- Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Three GCSE passes at grade C / grade 4 or above in Maths, English, and Science, or equivalent e.g., Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English Plus, You'll need to provide evidence that you have successfully completed a Level 3 qualification in a Health / Science subject
- if you do not have 6 months experience, we will consider one of the following: : or one of the following below: o96 UCAS points from 3 A levels oLevel 3 BTEC National Qualifications MMM oAccess to HE Diploma oT-Levels oLevel 3 Higher Technical Qualifications oPrevious degree level or higher study including Foundation Degrees oExperience of working with children and young people oExperience of delivering care oRecent Health & Social Care employment in a service user role.
Desirable
- Manual Handling training
- Resuscitation / life saving skills
- Experience of working with children with disabilities
- Experience of working in Special Education
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- The ability to develop relationships with service users and carers.
- Good organisational, compassionate, and caring skills.
- Ability to work within the limits of own competence and responsibility, referring issues on to relevant people
- The ability to monitor and prioritise own workload and work as an effective member of a team.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Willingness to travel for tutorials and placement experience.
- Able to do flexible shift patterns for placement experience
- Committed and motivated to deliver outstanding patient care.
Trust Values
Essential
- Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
