Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are highly valued and skilled professionals who can make a real difference in the lives of people with mental health problems.
We have over 700 registered AHPs and support staff working across mental health, learning disability, specialist and community health services; in both community and inpatient settings. AHPs from a number of the 14 professions including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dietitians, Art & Drama Therapists, Paramedics, Osteopaths and Podiatrists, work in all geographical areas covered by EPUT, and span three ICS boards with active AHP Councils and faculties. Our AHPs are central to delivering high-quality clinical pathways, patient safety and patient experience.
Our AHP Roles
Occupational Therapists are part of the multi-disciplinary team in EPUT. They work with our patients to help them live as independently as possible, help assess their needs, develop a plan of action and offer daily support. Occupational Therapists provide a wide range of services, such as:
Physiotherapists in mental health trusts work with people with mental and physical health problems. They use their knowledge of movement and function to help people improve their physical health, which can in turn, improve their mental health. Some of the things that physiotherapists in mental health trusts can do include:
Dietitians are part of our multi-disciplinary team and work with our patients to improve their physical and mental health through healthy eating. They assess the person's needs, develop a plan of action and then support them in implementing it. Our dietitians help with a wide range of services, such as:
Osteopaths are highly trained Allied Health Professionals who are well known for their expertise in the evaluation, diagnosis and management of the entire musculoskeletal system and its relationship with other systems in the body.
Osteopathy works with the structure and function of the body and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together. Treatments can include manual therapy, rehabilitation exercises, screening and general health advice. Sometimes it is also necessary to work closely with other healthcare professionals such as consultants, GPs, nurses, midwives, and other Allied Health Professionals.
Osteopaths’ patients include the young, older people, manual workers, office professionals, pregnant women, children and sportspeople. Patients seek treatment for a wide variety of conditions, including back pain, changes to posture in pregnancy, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, pain from arthritis and minor sports injuries.
Podiatrists are part of the multi-disciplinary team at EPUT and work in different settings. They provide the care of the foot and lower limb for our patients through a range of services, including:
As part of the EPUT multidisciplinary team, our Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) work with patients to help them improve their communication and swallowing skills to improve their quality of life. SLTs can help with a wide range of things including:
Information to be added
What we offer
At EPUT we offer a range of AHP apprenticeships from the level 3 in house senior healthcare support worker apprenticeship with AHP modules to degree level SLT, Podiatry, OT & physiotherapy apprenticeships.
There are a wealth of job opportunities in EPUT. We offer AHP career clinics, where we provide space for you to explore how you feel about work, aspirations for the future and opportunities in the workplace. This can include information about apprenticeship and training opportunities and leadership development.
Each newly qualified registered professional is allocated a Preceptor who will be an experienced qualified professional who will offer support, guidance and mentoring.
Visit our preceptorship page for more information.
We are here to help you come back to the work you love through a simple process. We will make sure you get all the support you need to catch up and settle down.
For more information visit 'Return to Practice' page or contact our Return to Practice lead, Diana Luckie, diana.luckie@nhs.net.
The Trust has a dynamic and ever expanding Occupational Therapy Band 5 Rotational Scheme within Mental Health, Learning disabilities and Community Physical Health Services, covering a wide range of clinical services and specialities across Essex. Most of the rotations offer a rotation cycle of 6 months with a few specialist areas offering one for 12 months.
These rotational posts are ideal for new or qualifying occupational therapists wanting to develop knowledge and expertise across a range of clinical services before focusing on particular specialisms or those who wanting a change of specialism. They are also ideal for occupational therapists unfamiliar with UK healthcare, who would prefer an opportunity to develop knowledge as part of a 6 month’s rotation as the rotations are also supported by regular supervision, preceptorship programme and Band 5 Staff Support Group.
If you would like more information please email Sharon Rautenbach, sharon.rautenbach@nhs.net.
We offer regular supervision, along with a yearly appraisal, where you will receive one-to-one support from a dedicated supervisor who will provide guidance, motivation and clinical support.
Through supervision and appraisal, we will create a personalised development plan to help you fulfil your potential.
We are committed to provide ongoing and continuous professional development for all staff. We offer exceptional education, training and development opportunities.
Watch some of our amazing AHP's talk about their roles and why they chose a career at EPUT.
Contact us
Contact the team
epunft.ahpeducationteam@nhs.net
Chief AHP
Mobolaji Lewis
mobolaji.lewis@nhs.net
Return to Practice
Diana Luckie
diana.luckie@nhs.net
