Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Clinical Exercise Therapist within our Forensic Inpatient Service at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. The post sits within a large, supportive therapies team that includes Occupational Therapists, Clinical Exercise Therapists, Activity Support Workers, and Technical Instructors.
The Forensic Inpatient Service comprises both medium and low secure wards, providing care under the Mental Health Act for men and women with mental health difficulties who present a significant risk of harm to themselves or others. The service also supports individuals with co-existing learning disabilities and autism.
Our primary aim is to provide a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment that enables patients to develop the skills needed for their recovery and successful transition back into the community.
Main duties of the job
The postholder will be a key member of the Forensic Therapies Team, supporting the Lead Clinical Exercise Therapist in delivering exercise interventions and sports activities across all medium and low secure wards. Our service includes a small team of Clinical Exercise Therapists working within the wider therapies department.
In this role, the postholder will work with the team to provide a range of sports and exercise-based interventions tailored to the needs of forensic inpatients. They will also contribute to developing initiatives that educate, encourage, and motivate patients to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles.
About us
We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.
We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.
This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.
We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.
We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Unless expressly stated in the job advert the role is not subject to sponsorship, please be advised that all offers of employment are subject to evidence of right to work in the UK
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assess service users suitability for exercise, adhering to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines where appropriate.
To discuss concerns around any identified medical contraindications to exercise with the wards medical staff.
To tailor a service users sport/exercise therapy programme to their individual needs, taking personal interests and any possible limitations into account.
To be aware of service users history/background/culture and take this into account when designing exercise programmes and contribute to a clinical team risk assessment as appropriate.
To promote and support individual choice and maximum independence, respecting service users beliefs and ensuring privacy & dignity.
To be familiar with medication and the possible side effects when planning /designing exercise therapy sessions.
To plan and deliver a range of clinical exercise and sports interventions, taking into account the differing abilities of service users on the ward and in community settings.
To lead gym sessions, exercise sessions and coaching / sports sessions with individuals and groups.
To maintain and audit fitness equipment to a satisfactory level, ensuring regular maintenance where required, in line with Trust health & safety standards.
To continually review and evaluate service users progress, treatment plans and risk assessments as the service users condition changes, making suitable alterations to their exercise programmes.
To assess risk and manage it effectively within clinical settings, ensuring a safe environment in which to exercise.
To be able to manage challenging behaviour and set clear boundaries within a sport/exercise setting.
To educate service users on Healthy Lifestyle regular exercise, healthy eating, weight management, smoking cessation.
To be able to successfully organise & manage a caseload.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assess service users suitability for exercise, adhering to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines where appropriate.
To discuss concerns around any identified medical contraindications to exercise with the wards medical staff.
To tailor a service users sport/exercise therapy programme to their individual needs, taking personal interests and any possible limitations into account.
To be aware of service users history/background/culture and take this into account when designing exercise programmes and contribute to a clinical team risk assessment as appropriate.
To promote and support individual choice and maximum independence, respecting service users beliefs and ensuring privacy & dignity.
To be familiar with medication and the possible side effects when planning /designing exercise therapy sessions.
To plan and deliver a range of clinical exercise and sports interventions, taking into account the differing abilities of service users on the ward and in community settings.
To lead gym sessions, exercise sessions and coaching / sports sessions with individuals and groups.
To maintain and audit fitness equipment to a satisfactory level, ensuring regular maintenance where required, in line with Trust health & safety standards.
To continually review and evaluate service users progress, treatment plans and risk assessments as the service users condition changes, making suitable alterations to their exercise programmes.
To assess risk and manage it effectively within clinical settings, ensuring a safe environment in which to exercise.
To be able to manage challenging behaviour and set clear boundaries within a sport/exercise setting.
To educate service users on Healthy Lifestyle regular exercise, healthy eating, weight management, smoking cessation.
To be able to successfully organise & manage a caseload.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification e.g. YMCA
- L1 Sports Coaching Award or coaching experience and a willingness to work towards this qualification
- Level 3 GP Exercise Referral certificate
- Level 3/4 CIMSPA registration number Must be provided
Desirable
- ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist
- ACSM/NCHPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer
- Degree in Sports Science or equivalent sports related degree
- Level 4 Certificates in Exercise & Mental Health
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a gym instructor, with groups and individuals, screening, assessing and designing exercise programmes
- Experience of coaching/leading sports activities with service users of differing abilities
Desirable
- Experience of assessing and advising on healthy lifestyle issues
- Ability to teach a variety of sports (swimming, football, badminton, volleyball, basketball etc)
- Experience of working with service users with physical and mental health conditions
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure
- Group work skills
- Effective team worker
- Ability to lead healthy lifestyle groups
- An understanding of working with people with mental health needs
Desirable
- An understanding of commonly encountered mental health conditions
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification e.g. YMCA
- L1 Sports Coaching Award or coaching experience and a willingness to work towards this qualification
- Level 3 GP Exercise Referral certificate
- Level 3/4 CIMSPA registration number Must be provided
Desirable
- ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist
- ACSM/NCHPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer
- Degree in Sports Science or equivalent sports related degree
- Level 4 Certificates in Exercise & Mental Health
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working as a gym instructor, with groups and individuals, screening, assessing and designing exercise programmes
- Experience of coaching/leading sports activities with service users of differing abilities
Desirable
- Experience of assessing and advising on healthy lifestyle issues
- Ability to teach a variety of sports (swimming, football, badminton, volleyball, basketball etc)
- Experience of working with service users with physical and mental health conditions
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Ability to work under pressure
- Group work skills
- Effective team worker
- Ability to lead healthy lifestyle groups
- An understanding of working with people with mental health needs
Desirable
- An understanding of commonly encountered mental health conditions
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
