Would you like to join a centre of excellence in rural and remote healthcare?
Main area Occupational Therapy Grade NHS AfC: Annex 21 of Band 5 Contract Apprenticeship: 3 years (Option to complete within two years with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Time will be allocated within work pattern each week for academic activities) Job ref 262-A-26-7954146
Site Flatt walks healt centre Town Whitehaven Salary £32,073 - £39,043 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 28/05/2026 23:59
Job overview
We have a rare and exciting opportunity at the West Cumberland Hospital for a motivated individual who wants to become an Occupational Therapist.
This apprentice OT post will be based within the Whitehaven ICC Therapy team at Flatt Walks, Whitehaven
The successful applicant will be enthusiastic about the profession and will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the role of an Occupational Therapist through their own experience. This is a fantastic chance for someone interested in helping people overcome difficulties affected by injury, illness or disability by supporting individuals to improve their ability to do everyday tasks. Across specialities you will work with people to analyse their daily activities and support them to compensate or adapt how they do them using Occupational Science as an evidence base.
The apprenticeship is a degree level program for an Occupational Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc (Hons) during which you will learn all the skills needed to become a registered Occupational Therapist. In addition you will be provided with a work placed mentor to provide guidance, support and knowledge in the Occupational Therapy profession.
The successful applicant will be offered the post subject to being accepted onto the University Occupational Therapy Apprentice degree program. Support to complete this application will be provided.
Main duties of the job
You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team learning alongside them in the workplace. The academic and placement component is supported by the University.
The services in some areas provide 7 day cover and the successful applicant must therefore be prepared to work weekends and extended days. Applications will only be considered from people with recent experience working as a Therapy Assistant within an NHS Service.
Upon qualifying and being registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) you will be given the opportunity to apply for a Band 5 Occupational Therapy post. Band 5 rotational posts offer the opportunity to work across medicine, care of the elderly, orthopaedics, surgery, neuro rehabilitation, community hospital and the community rehabilitation team.
Working for our organisation
At NCIC, we have an ambition to deliver outstanding healthcare services to the population of North Cumbria. The Trust is committed to creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and provides a wide range of community and acute services throughout our county.
Our 5 key principles demonstrate our belief in the delivery of ‘safe, high quality care every time':
* Being a clinically led organisation
* Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust
* A positive patient experience every time
* A great place to work
* Managing our money well
As an organisation we are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our local community and are very much focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.
Across the North East and North Cumbria we are working together to deliver our ambition to be the greenest region in England by 2030. All staff are expected to support sustainability.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role includes responsibilities such as:
* Working with patients to analyse daily activities and support them to compensate or adapt using occupational science as an evidence base.
* Providing support to patients to improve daily tasks and independence.
* Working across multiple medical specialities within a multi‑disciplinary team.
Please see attached job description and person specification for further details on essential and desirable criteria for applicants.
Person specification
Qualifications
* 112 - 120 UCAS points (preferably including a science) OR a Level 3 in a health‑related subject plus apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) based on education and experiential learning and experience as an assistant in an allied health professional (AHP) role. An RPL document will be shared with applicants to this route;
* Maths and English at GCSE grade C or 4 or above (or equivalent).
* Care Certificate
Skills and Aptitudes
* Ability to establish relationships with patients and carers and work with them in a supported environment
* Good personal organisation skills and able to prioritise workload
* Ability to work effectively as part of a team
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* Ability to demonstrate the compassionate values and behaviours needed for dignified care
* Good observational skills
* Ability to teach practical skills
* Able to work autonomously and use own initiative
* Ability to complete patient assessments in a range of clinical settings, including a patient's own home
Other Requirements
* Ability to participate in weekend working rota
* Commitment to undergo training and complete competencies required for the post within the timescales of the apprenticeship
* Commitment to attend University when required for face‑to‑face training
* Enthusiasm and self‑motivation
Knowledge and Experience
* Work as an allied health professional assistant.
* Previous experience of working in a Multi‑Disciplinary Team.
* Understanding of the principles of Occupational Therapy.
* Understanding of disability and its impact on a person's function.
* Professional conduct requirements.
* Equality legislation and best practice.
* Caring responsibilities.
* Employment in a clinical setting.
* Evidence of relevant health related training courses.
* Specialised occupational therapy equipment.
* Knowledge of falls prevention principles and management techniques.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
If you have problems applying, contact
Address South Parkhouse Building
Baron Way
Kingmoor Park
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA6 4SJ
Telephone 01228936281
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