Trainee Occupational Therapist x3

We’re looking for Trainee Occupational Therapists, Interested?

Would you like to ‘Earn While You Learn’?

If you are interested in Occupational Therapy and would value the opportunity to learn whilst working and gaining valuable paid work experience, then this is the perfect opportunity for you.

This innovative 3 year role will mean that you obtain a professional understanding of our Occupational Therapy service, supporting a Lead Practitioner with their caseload, whilst also completing a fully funded Occupational Therapy Integrated Degree with the University of Sunderland. This opportunity combines an academic degree qualification with eligibility to apply for registration as a qualified Occupational Therapist on successful completion of the course.

The team…

Our Occupational Therapy team are looking to recruit 3 Trainee Occupational Therapists to undertake specialist assessments of the needs of disabled people and their carers and to provide advice, equipment and adaptions with the aim of maintaining and improving their level of independence in the community.

Assessment teams use a conversational approach, focusing on an individual’s strengths and the community around them, supporting Gateshead residents to live thriving lives. Teams across the service provide assessment, intervention, and support in relation to an individual’s social care needs with a focus on promoting wellbeing and independence, helping individuals take greater control over their lives by championing an early engagement model. Working in this way promotes the individual’s access to other agencies and provides them with the tools to be both physically and mentally healthy, reducing their need for long-term provisions and re-enable them where possible.

About the role….

In this role you will work with your line manager to carry out assessments of service users with permanent disabilities to determine what interventions can be provided to meet their needs.

You will work with your line manager to plan, implement and evaluate services provided on the basis of assessed risks and needs. You will be responsible for ensuring safe use of equipment/adaptations, building confidence of users and carers under the guidance and supervision of your line manager.

This role requires you to have at least 5 passes at GCSE grade C (grade 4) or above and must include English Language (or equivalent), Mathematics and Science, as well as 120 UCAS points including a health or science related subject.

You must also have a current driving license and access to a car or means to mobility support. To be successful in this role, you must have good IT as well as good written and verbal communication skills, be able to work as part of a team and be able to use your own initiative. You will also have had some experience working in Adult Social Care (this includes voluntary work). A full list of criteria and responsibilities of the role are in the Job Profile.

People really are our greatest asset at Gateshead Council and we value every employee. We encourage our people to think differently, do the right thing and be innovative.

A bit about Gateshead Council…

Adult Social Care is on the frontline of tackling the inequalities in poverty and health that our community face. Our Thrive Agenda aims to effectively address these issues and enable the members of our community to live thriving lives.

Working in Adult Social Care is not an easy job, however; there aren’t many that are more fulfilling when you can see the impact that you are having on the lives of the members of our community who are in need of support.

We’re truly committed to providing our customers with the highest quality of service and we need like-minded people who can help us deliver a high-quality service. We need people who want to make a difference, who are talented, possess the right knowledge and skills and who want the chance to demonstrate how good they are.

What’s in it for you? Well, there’s so much on offer and here’s just a few of the highlights!

• You’ll be paid a competitive salary £22,777- £24,054
• You’ll get a generous annual leave package of 26 days annual leave for new employees, rising to 30 days after 5 years continuous local government service.
• We offer hybrid working, allowing colleagues to work remotely where appropriate if they wish to do so
• Access to generous flexi time system with the opportunity to take 2 flexi days per 4 week flexi period, depending on the needs of the service.
• You have the chance to buy up to 10 additional holidays per year.
• You can save for your future by enrolling in our generous pension scheme
• We’ll give you access to a Co Wheels vehicle for work use, saving your petrol costs and wear to your vehicle
• You’ll have access to great health and wellbeing support, including discounted membership to GO Gateshead Leisure Services and ability to use our cycle to work scheme
• We’ll give you the chance to take advantage of various offers and discounts on shopping and household spend; including O2, Virgin Media and Dell
• Access to the BlueLight Card Scheme
• A robust Workforce Development offer with loads of opportunities for learning to progress your career and to enhance your knowledge in specific areas.
• Adult Social Care at Gateshead Council offers the chance to progress in a variety of roles across the service. Our colleagues had this to say:

“Gateshead Council are very, very good at encouraging staff to progress in their careers, and to believe in the staff and believe in themselves” – David

“I think there is a real ethos of growing your own and making sure that staff are rewarded for their efforts and feel that they can do jobs.” – Angela

It’s time to apply!

We’re delighted that you want to come and work with us. Please take a look at the full job profile via this link