High five for our occupational therapy apprentices

The graduation of KCHFT’s first occupational therapy (OT) apprentices was celebrated at a special event to recognise colleagues working across our allied health professions (AHPs).

James Page, Jodie Barsby, Lisa Handley, Rebecca Smith and Jessica Lowe are the first five colleagues to become fully-qualified OTs through our Clinical Academy, which was set up in 2019 to help recruit and train nursing and AHP colleagues.

KCHFT’s Chief AHP Officer, Rachel Dalton, presented each of them with a certificate, congratulating them on their achievements as they step into OT positions within the trust.

Lisa Handley, aged 46, began her career in healthcare as a healthcare assistant. Thirteen years later, she has joined our Acute Response Team as a fully qualified OT, helping to provide short-term health, personal care and rehabilitation support in the community.

Lisa said: “Although it was something I had always wanted to do, it wasn’t until I joined KCHFT that I got the opportunity to apply for the OT apprenticeship. I was supported by my manager throughout the application process and I felt so lucky when I was accepted. I love being able to help others. As an OT, I have the opportunity to improve people’s lives for the better by putting their goals at the centre of the care we provide.”

As well as occupational therapy, KCHFT’s Clinical Academy also supports pathways into other allied health professions (AHP) including physiotherapy and podiatry. Find out more about our careers at www.kentcht.nhs.uk/careers.