Job overview

We are excited to offer a opportunity to join our inpatient therapy team at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) as an assistant practitioner.

This is an exciting opportunity to apply for a permanent post based with the in-patient Occupational Therapy  team at FGH. 

Our inpatient therapy team consists of Occupational Therapists and Therapy Assistants. You will work with the therapy team providing assessment, treatment and therapeutic intervention to maximise patients level of functional ability.  

The role will be based in the in-patient team and you will have the opportunity to work alongside the medical OT team.  Working with patients on the respiratory, oncology, care of the elderly and surgical wards.

We are looking for the candidate to be driven and keen to learn. Efficiency and organisational skills are key. 

Previous experience as a therapy assistant or assistant practitioner is preferred. However suitable candidates who are not qualified assistant practitioners would be required and  supported to complete their training. This can take up to 2 years and would result in obtaining a qualification as an assistant practitioner.   

Main duties of the job

This post is a permanent post and will sit within the inpatient  occupational therapy team and will involve the management of routine medical and surgical patients. This will include activity of daily living  assessments, assessment and provision of equipment and support with patient flow. 

The role requires the ability to engage in  manual handling tasks. the post holder would also access the community and be involved in environmental assessments and follow up visits.

As with any role within the team cross cover may be required in response to service need. 

The post will require the successful candidate to work independently, make clinical decisions and manage a patient caseload. 

The post holder will receive formal supervision and annual appraisal to support development in the post.  In-service training is provided and training opportunities offered relevant to the post.

Peer support is available from the occupational therapy  staff team and the MDT team which includes physiotherapists, nurses and the community integrated therapy staff.

We are a welcoming, close working team who are enthusiastic regarding our work and delivering high level quality patient care.

Working for our organisation

We operate from three main hospitals - Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community health care premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, and Ulverston Community Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

This post will be specifically based at the Furness General Hospital  within the inpatient team.