Why work in Occupational Therapy at DCHS?
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust employs Occupational Therapists and non-registered support workers who work alongside them, in a range of settings including, community hospitals, intermediate care units, outpatient clinics, and people’s own homes, or the place they call home.
Occupational Therapists provide a range of services to adults working within:
- Physical health
- Older people’s mental health
- Learning disabilities
Robust networks across the organisation and our system partners enables shared learning and the opportunity to work in a more collaborative and integrated way to better meet the holistic needs of those they serve.
Occupational Therapy services enable individuals to be as independent as possible in their everyday lives, whilst recovering from illness, living with long term conditions or adapting to disability. They also contribute to the enhancement of quality of life for those patients with a palliative or terminal illness.
Occupational Therapy provides practical support to empower people all ages to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the activities (or occupations) that matter to them.
The term 'Occupation' refers to practical and purposeful activities that allow people to live independently and have a sense of identity. This could be essential day-to-day tasks such as self-care, work or leisure.
An Occupational Therapist will consider all a person's needs: physical, psychological, social and environmental. This support can make a real difference giving people a renewed sense of purpose, opening new horizons, and changing the way they feel about the future.
The Trust employs Occupational Therapists who work across a variety of teams including:
- Outpatient clinics
- Community hospitals
- Integrated community teams (can include nurses, Physio, SLT)
- Mental health teams for older adults
- Stroke services
- Adults with developmental disabilities
- Neurological rehab services
Occupational Therapists carry out assessments and plan agreed person-centred programmes of intervention to:
- Increase or maintain the functional ability of the individual
- Enhance quality of life
- Facilitate safe and effective discharges from hospitals
- Reduce dependence on other agencies
- Avoid admission to hospital or care environments
- Promote a balanced lifestyle
Intervention may include:
- Rehabilitation
- Splinting
- Adaptation of a client's tasks or environment
- Provision of equipment
- Vocational rehab
- Lifestyle advice on living with long term conditions
In DCHS there are opportunities in some of our services for rotational and static posts within Occupational Therapy with career progression opportunities available into some specialist roles.
To become an occupational therapist, you'll need a degree in Occupational Therapy, which usually takes three years full-time or up to six years part-time. In addition, an apprenticeship in Occupational Therapy may be available. In postgraduate studies, it's possible to gain a Master's degree in one to two years.
Once you've successfully completed your degree, you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can start practising.
The NHS Health Careers website has information about studying to become an Occupational Therapist.
All vacancies at DCHS are advertised on the NHS Jobs website and our vacancies page View our current vacancies : DCHS
Yes, we very much welcome requests for work experience or shadowing; not just from external students but from staff who would like to experience working with other teams. (check for contacts/process to organise)
What other ways can I further develop my career in Occupational Therapy at DCHS?
Within DCHS we offer a range of Continuous Professional Development and career opportunities to progress in Occupational Therapy through our career framework. This includes opportunities in both clinical roles and leadership/management roles.
Currently, existing DCHS staff may be eligible to apply for Occupational Therapy training via our apprenticeship offer. We currently work with universities who offer a Level 6 BSC apprenticeship programme which lasts 3 years.
- Evidence of achievement of GCSE A to C (9 – 4) or Level 2 Functional Skills in English and Maths before applying.
- Evidence of studying to level 3 study and above
- Ability to study at level 6
- Manager and budget holders’ approval to undertake apprenticeship programme.
- Ability to travel to university & placements to complete the learning outcomes of the apprenticeship programme, these maybe based up to 90 mins travel time from base area.
- 100% completion of statutory & mandatory training
- Up to date DBS is required as a mandatory requirement for this programme.