Job summary
Are you caring, compassionate, motivated and interested in developing your career within the health service? Then this may be the opportunity for you! Join us at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT), train to become a qualified Occupational Therapist and gain either a BSc or MSc degree in Occupational Therapy whilst you work.
The Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship programme combines clinical employment, work based learning, and academic learning. It is a fully funded route towards qualification as a HCPC registered Occupational Therapist.
Main duties of the job
As an employee of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, you will demonstrate our values, and once you have completed all the requirements for registration as a qualified Occupational Therapist, you will be supported to apply for band 5 vacancies within the Trust.
You will be employed as an Apprentice Occupational Therapist at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and will work as part of a therapy team within a range of settings and be provided with dedicated time to study for a degree in Occupational Therapist. The apprenticeships will be aligned to Coventry University.
During the apprenticeship you will develop skills and knowledge that will allow you to work in today’s dynamic and changing healthcare environment. Whilst you will be based in one specific team across our community and mental health services, your placements will provide a variety of learning environments both within Oxford Health and with external healthcare providers.
There is a requirement to travel to the university campus for academic study and classes and to be able to travel between sites both within Oxford Health and externally for placements, which may be out of county.
About us
We have an apprenticeship opportunity for either a BSc or MSC Occupational Therapy apprentice in the following team:
Woodlands House
Woodlands House is a 20-bed, low-secure forensic mental health inpatient unit that provides medium-term care for men in conditions of low security. It is part of the Thames Valley Forensic Mental Health Service and is located on the Whiteleaf Centre site in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
Benefits of working for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust include:
- Excellent opportunities for career progression
- 27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, with an increase to 33 days with continuous service
- NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
- Staff accommodation
- Competitive pension scheme
- Lease car scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
Job description
Job responsibilities
Entry requirements
- Level 3 academic qualification i.e., AS/ A level, access to higher education diploma etc. Please note, Coventry University do not accept NVQs or other portfolio, work-based vocational/competence-based qualifications such as City and Guilds on their own. They will only be considered alongside level 3 qualifications with an academic focus, such as A-levels, BTEC Nationals, or Access course. Level 3 study must have been completed in the past five years and be accredited and completed.
- Applicants will need to evidence Maths and English GCSE at Grade C (4), or equivalent (such as Functional Skills Level 2). This MUST be completed before enrolment. If applicants are unable to find their certificates, they will need to re-take these qualifications.
- International applicants will need to send in their certificates for checking. English must have been studied as a first language.
For the MSc programme, additionally:
- Demonstrable ability to study at Level 6 of Higher Education Level and commit to completing the Degree programme
- Normally a minimum of a 2:2 Honours degree in a relevant subject, completed within the past ten years.
It is not possible for any apprentice to enrol onto this Occupational Therapy Course if they are undertaking any academic course at the beginning of the apprenticeship. All courses must be ended and the candidate must be unenrolled from any other courses the month before the beginning of the Apprenticeship.
Please note:
- New starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
- Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
- Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
- Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
- We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age or sexual orientation and we encourage applications from users of mental health services. This is part of our commitment to equality and reflecting the diversity of our population.
- Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Entry requirements
- Level 3 academic qualification i.e., AS/ A level, access to higher education diploma etc. Please note, Coventry University do not accept NVQs or other portfolio, work-based vocational/competence-based qualifications such as City and Guilds on their own. They will only be considered alongside level 3 qualifications with an academic focus, such as A-levels, BTEC Nationals, or Access course. Level 3 study must have been completed in the past five years and be accredited and completed.
- Applicants will need to evidence Maths and English GCSE at Grade C (4), or equivalent (such as Functional Skills Level 2). This MUST be completed before enrolment. If applicants are unable to find their certificates, they will need to re-take these qualifications.
- International applicants will need to send in their certificates for checking. English must have been studied as a first language.
For the MSc programme, additionally:
- Demonstrable ability to study at Level 6 of Higher Education Level and commit to completing the Degree programme
- Normally a minimum of a 2:2 Honours degree in a relevant subject, completed within the past ten years.
It is not possible for any apprentice to enrol onto this Occupational Therapy Course if they are undertaking any academic course at the beginning of the apprenticeship. All courses must be ended and the candidate must be unenrolled from any other courses the month before the beginning of the Apprenticeship.
Please note:
- New starters have a 6 month probationary period. This, together with the induction process aims to create a positive supportive working environment allowing new employees to learn key elements of their role over a reasonable timescale.
- Candidates not currently employed by the Trust who attend an interview for non-qualified Band 1-5 posts are required to undertake numeracy and literacy assessments.
- Appointment to this post is subject to the trust receiving satisfactory references covering 3 years of employment or study. Please ask your referees to respond promptly to reference requests.
- Employees are expected to undertake mandatory and statutory training related to their role.
- We positively encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age or sexual orientation and we encourage applications from users of mental health services. This is part of our commitment to equality and reflecting the diversity of our population.
- Oxford Health is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience Requirements
Essential
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the OT in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service developmen
- Experience of having worked in a clinical setting
Desirable
- Understanding of evidence-based practice
Qualifications – Academic/Skills/Professional
Essential
- Level 3 academic qualification i.e.AS/ A level, access to higher education diploma etc
- Demonstrable ability to study at Level 6 of Higher Education Level and commit to completing the Degree programme
- Level 2 qualification in both maths and English
Further Training or Job Related Aptitude and Skills
Essential
- Intermediate IT skills
- Ability to communicate with patients and members of the team
- Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
Desirable
- Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
- Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well being (Making Every Contact Count)
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate professional behaviours, values and attitudes.
- Demonstrates excellent team working skills.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to working in a rapidly changing environme
- Works in a polite and non-judgemental manner.
People Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Able to seek help when needed.
Contractual Requirements or other requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel between sites and to regional meetings
- Able to work flexibly to access staff on shift patterns out of hours and between sites in order to achieve an equal approach throughout the Trust.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience Requirements
Essential
- Understanding of the scope of the role of the OT in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service developmen
- Experience of having worked in a clinical setting
Desirable
- Understanding of evidence-based practice
Qualifications – Academic/Skills/Professional
Essential
- Level 3 academic qualification i.e.AS/ A level, access to higher education diploma etc
- Demonstrable ability to study at Level 6 of Higher Education Level and commit to completing the Degree programme
- Level 2 qualification in both maths and English
Further Training or Job Related Aptitude and Skills
Essential
- Intermediate IT skills
- Ability to communicate with patients and members of the team
- Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
Desirable
- Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
- Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well being (Making Every Contact Count)
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate professional behaviours, values and attitudes.
- Demonstrates excellent team working skills.
- Flexible and adaptable approach to working in a rapidly changing environme
- Works in a polite and non-judgemental manner.
People Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively
- Able to seek help when needed.
Contractual Requirements or other requirements
Essential
- Ability to travel between sites and to regional meetings
- Able to work flexibly to access staff on shift patterns out of hours and between sites in order to achieve an equal approach throughout the Trust.
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
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) .
