Occupational Therapy
Why work in Occupational Therapy?
Shropshire Community Health Trust is an integrated organisation that provides services to people of all ages.
SCHT employs Occupational Therapists and non-registered staff who work alongside them, in hospitals, clinics, and the community, across a range of service areas.
The organisation encourages and 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.
AHP Careers Community Therapies and Falls
AHP Career Pathways Community Therapies
AHP Career Pathways Children's Therapy Services Full version es
AHP Career Pathways Community Therapies
What sort of work can you do in Occupational Therapy at SCHT?
Occupational Therapy services enable individuals to be as independent as possible in their everyday lives, whilst recovering from illness 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 education and leisure.
An Occupational Therapist will consider all of a person's needs: physical, psychological, social and environmental. This support can make a real difference giving people a renewed sense of purpose, opening up new horizons, and changing the way they feel about the future.
Occupational Therapists work in Adult and Children’s services in a wide variety of community roles across the trust including
- Children’s therapies
- Community Neuro rehabilitation
- Rapid Response Teams
- Community Hospital Wards
- MSK Services
What qualifications do I need in Occupational Therapy?
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 postgraduate studies, it's possible to gain a Masters 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 other option is to apply for an apprenticeship degree.
The NHS Health Careers website has information about studying to become an Occupational Therapist.
The Skills For Health website has an example of a career pathway to qualification as an Occupational Therapist.
Entry requirements for an undergraduate course are typically:
- Two or three A levels
- Five GCSEs (grades 9-4 / A-C), including science
Or equivalent qualifications:
- A BTEC, HND or HNC, including biological science
- A relevant NVQ
- A science-based access course
- Equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications.
When applying for a Occupational Therapy degree, you'll be asked to show how you think the NHS values apply in your everyday work.
Therapy Support Worker through to Assistant Practitioner:
The Assistant Practitioner in Healthcare Higher degree aims to develop Assistant Practitioners in Healthcare with an Allied Health Professional focus. Please see the factsheet at the bottom of this section.
Qualifications and Credit Framework QCF / NVQ / apprenticeship level 2 in related subject:
- Care Certificate is completed in all 15 areas within 12weeks (pro rata) of commencement of contract
- NVQ 3 or equivalent in related subject
- NVQ 4 or Foundation Degree in related subject
BSc or MSc Apprenticeships
Existing SCHT staff may be eligible to apply for Occupational Therapy training via an apprenticeship scheme.
How can I find a job in Occupational Therapy at SCHT?
All vacancies at SCHT are advertised on the NHS Jobs website.
Can I get Work Experience or Shadowing in Occupational Therapy at SCHT?
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.
What other ways can I further develop my career in Occupational Therapy at SCHT?
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