Routes into an LPFT career

Apprenticeships are an excellent opportunity to gain on-the-job training while studying for a nationally recognised qualification. Here at LPFT, we offer apprenticeships across a variety of clinical and non-clinical roles, including mental health nursing, nursing associates, occupational therapy, administration, data analysis and human resources. Our apprenticeships range between Level 2-Level 7 study, and aim to develop our staff both personally and professionally.

We have a range of local partners including University of Lincoln, Sheffield Hallam University, East Lindsey Technical College, Lincoln College, Stamford College and Steadfast.

Meet one of our Registered Mental Health Nurse apprentices, Kayna Penrose-Toms. Kayna was a member of the hugely successful first intake of nurse apprentices, and is now studying for a BSc Mental Health Nursing degree with the University of Lincoln, whilst getting first-hand practical experience through a range of inpatient and community nursing placements with LPFT.

Kayna had previously followed the traditional route of doing her nursing training at a university in York, but struggled with being away from home, as well as the financial pressures of studying for a degree. Our apprenticeship removed these worries and enabled Kayna to continue working towards a career in her dream profession.

She said: “My grandma was a nurse and I have always wanted to follow in her footsteps, but after my experience at university, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to.

“The apprenticeship provides me with the perfect balance of being paid for the work I do and also covers the cost of studying for my degree.

“The staff at LPFT have been incredibly supportive. I have learnt so much already and I can’t wait to see how my career unfolds.”

Our apprenticeship opportunities are advertised on NHS jobs, so we recommend checking regularly for new opportunities to become available.

What is bank working?

Our staff bank plays an extremely vital role in helping us to deliver a high standard of patient care, by ensuring safe staffing levels are maintained across the Trust at all times. Bank staff are employed as casual workers, providing temporary cover for wards, departments, and community services on a daily basis.

What types of roles are available?

We have a range of clinical and non-clinical roles within the bank staffing unit, including health care support workers, registered nurses, housekeepers, administrators, physiotherapists, counsellors and psychological wellbeing practitioners.

How do you join LPFT as bank staff and where are the opportunities advertised?

Bank roles are currently advertised on a periodic basis on NHS jobs. We recommend regularly checking for new roles to be advertised.

For further enquiries regarding bank working, you can contact the team via email lpn-tr.Bankstaff@nhs.net or by telephone on 01529 222 338. 

We have developed established partnerships with universities to provide the essential professional development for clinical staff undertaking their training, including nurses and allied health professionals. We work closely with the University of Lincoln, and the Lincoln Medical School, to offer placements to students throughout their study in a variety of in-patient and community settings across Lincolnshire.

Click here to find out more about the University of Lincoln and the state-of-the-art Lincoln Medical School, and the courses that are available to study. 

Peer support workers (PSW’s) are members of staff with lived experience of mental health difficulties, who use their personal experiences and insight to support and build connections with young people currently accessing our Children and Young People's Mental Health Services. Due to their lived experience, PSW’s help to ‘bridge the gap’ between clinicians and young people, and play a pivotal role in patient’s recovery by inspiring hope and belief that recovery is possible in others.

PSW’s provide formalised peer support and practical assistance to patients, helping them to regain control over their healthcare, to lead meaningful lives and to develop their own unique recovery process.

You can find out more about ‘A day in the life of a Peer Support Worker’ here. 

Our peer support worker roles can be found on our Trust website and on NHS jobs. We recommend checking regularly for new opportunities to become available.

Volunteers are crucial to LPFT’s delivery of patient care across Lincolnshire.

Volunteering can help you to develop personally and professionally in a number of ways, by gaining valuable work experience, meeting new people, learning new skills, and giving something back to the community. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, bringing a variety of skills to our Trust which we value greatly. Previous experience of healthcare is not always necessary, but volunteers must be aged 18 and over.

Volunteer recruitment is currently on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but we are still accepting applications from prospective volunteers, and taking up references in preparation for when things change.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities, visit our dedicated volunteering page here or email lpft.volunteerservices@nhs.net

We currently work in collaboration with United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) and Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) to offer work experience opportunities. All work experience placements are now facilitated by our partner, ULHT, under the logo of the Talent Academy.

You can view our dedicated work experience webpage and find the latest work experience opportunities on the Lincolnshire Talent Academy’s website here.