Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Exercise Therapy Practitioner

The closing date is 04 September 2025

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for a full time (37.5 hours a week) exercise instructor to join our current full time exercise instructor within the therapies team at St. Ann's hospital, our busy mental health inpatient unit.

The post holder will have experience in working with people who have mental health problems be skilled at motivating people with compassion to engage in exercise in order to support their physical and mental health.

The 2 exercise instructors will deliver an inclusive and responsive exercise service that has the flexibility to meet the needs and capitalise on the strengths ofthe people in the hospital.

The post holder will be managed by the therapies manager who is an occupational therapist and will work closely with physiotherapy, occupational therapy and ward teams at the hospital.

Ongoing professional development is a core part of these roles and there will be support to promote best practice in exercise provision for the people who use our service.

Applicants will need to have successfully completed theirLevel 3 Personal Trainer and Level 3 Exercise Referral training

Main duties of the job

To provide fitness instruction and to ensure safe practice in theworking environment and in the gym.

To induct staff to the gym to enable them to supervise patients withfitness the programmes devised by the exercise instructor.

To respond to referrals for service users, to induct service users to thegym, provide fitness programmes admonitor progress.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do

Details

Date posted

20 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-M230.25

Job locations

St. Ann's Hospital

69, Haven Road, Poole

Poole

BH13 7LN


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contactdhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

  • Listed on current register of Exercise Instructors
  • Level 3 Advanced Gym Instructor
  • Referral Programme Consultation
  • Exercise and Mental Health Qualification

Desirable

  • First Aid at Work Qualification

Job specific experience

Essential

  • Good personal organisation skills
  • Health/social care/experience
  • Positive interpersonal skills

Desirable

  • Mental Health experience

Information Technology

Essential

  • Basic knowledge of word processing

Personal qualities/attributes

Essential

  • Demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning
Person Specification

Knowledge, skills and training

Essential

  • Listed on current register of Exercise Instructors
  • Level 3 Advanced Gym Instructor
  • Referral Programme Consultation
  • Exercise and Mental Health Qualification

Desirable

  • First Aid at Work Qualification

Job specific experience

Essential

  • Good personal organisation skills
  • Health/social care/experience
  • Positive interpersonal skills

Desirable

  • Mental Health experience

Information Technology

Essential

  • Basic knowledge of word processing

Personal qualities/attributes

Essential

  • Demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St. Ann's Hospital

69, Haven Road, Poole

Poole

BH13 7LN


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

St. Ann's Hospital

69, Haven Road, Poole

Poole

BH13 7LN


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Therapies Manager

Kelly Haysom

kelly.haysom@nhs.net

01202492074

Details

Date posted

20 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year p.a.

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-M230.25

Job locations

St. Ann's Hospital

69, Haven Road, Poole

Poole

BH13 7LN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)