Job summary
We are looking for a motivated and flexible Exercise Specialist to join our Secure Services team, working across our medium and low secure units in Bristol. This is a unique setting where you will play a key role in improving the physical fitness, general health, and overall well-being of service users within inpatient mental health units.
You will be a highly motivated and organised individual with experience and expertise in exercise prescription and supervision. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills by working with both groups and individuals to plan, organise, and deliver physical fitness, exercise, and health promotion activities.
One of the key challenges of this role is working with varying levels of motivation and ability, so you will need to be creative and enthusiastic in engaging individuals and encouraging participation.
Main duties of the job
Clinical:
- Carry out pre-exercise readiness screening and appropriate physical assessments, including risk management and identifying contraindications to physical activity and exercise.
- Design, implement, monitor, and adapt physical activity and exercise programmes on an individual and group basis, observing progress and making necessary adjustments.
- Promote, participate in, and create resources for health promotion and campaigns.
- Demonstrate safe moving and handling of gym and other equipment.
- Conduct pre-exercise screens and physical assessments within the parameters of own competency and scope of practice, referring to more experienced or suitably qualified staff for guidance and support.
- Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, carry out specific rehabilitation programmes for conditions or injuries.
- Assess the safety and appropriateness of physical activity for service users by completing pre-exercise health questionnaires, reviewing medical notes and physical observations, considering risk summaries, and understanding any restrictions under the Mental Health Act, as well as contraindications and precautions for exercise.
Please see the attached Job Description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.
About us
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
AWP is committed to supporting and creating a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Liaise with medical and nursing staff to identify service users requiring a fitness programme and highlight any potential red flags that may need further investigation.
- Carry out pre-exercise readiness screening and appropriate physical assessments, including risk management and identifying contraindications to physical activity and exercise.
- Design, implement, monitor, and adapt physical activity and exercise programmes for individuals and groups, observing progress and adjusting interventions as needed.
- Provide information and practical advice, within scope of competency, to service users, carers, and staff.
- Promote, participate in, and create resources for health promotion and campaigns.
- Demonstrate safe moving and handling of gym and other equipment.
- Work independently within hospital and community environments, with support available for reference and guidance.
- Identify and report safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust safeguarding procedures.
- Conduct ongoing risk assessments related to clinical practice and personal safety, escalating concerns in line with Trust policy.
- Manage own caseload and work without direct supervision, with advice readily available.
- Support the development and implementation of intervention plans, policies, and procedures within scope of practice.
- Conduct pre-exercise screens and physical assessments within own competency, referring to suitably qualified staff when necessary.
- Observe Health and Safety at Work requirements and take all necessary precautions to ensure safety for patients and self.
- Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, carry out specific rehabilitation programmes for conditions or injuries.
- Assess the safety and appropriateness of physical activity for service users by completing pre-exercise health questionnaires, reviewing medical notes and physical observations, considering risk summaries, and understanding restrictions under the Mental Health Act, as well as contraindications and precautions for exercise.
Please see the attached Job Description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Liaise with medical and nursing staff to identify service users requiring a fitness programme and highlight any potential red flags that may need further investigation.
- Carry out pre-exercise readiness screening and appropriate physical assessments, including risk management and identifying contraindications to physical activity and exercise.
- Design, implement, monitor, and adapt physical activity and exercise programmes for individuals and groups, observing progress and adjusting interventions as needed.
- Provide information and practical advice, within scope of competency, to service users, carers, and staff.
- Promote, participate in, and create resources for health promotion and campaigns.
- Demonstrate safe moving and handling of gym and other equipment.
- Work independently within hospital and community environments, with support available for reference and guidance.
- Identify and report safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust safeguarding procedures.
- Conduct ongoing risk assessments related to clinical practice and personal safety, escalating concerns in line with Trust policy.
- Manage own caseload and work without direct supervision, with advice readily available.
- Support the development and implementation of intervention plans, policies, and procedures within scope of practice.
- Conduct pre-exercise screens and physical assessments within own competency, referring to suitably qualified staff when necessary.
- Observe Health and Safety at Work requirements and take all necessary precautions to ensure safety for patients and self.
- Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, carry out specific rehabilitation programmes for conditions or injuries.
- Assess the safety and appropriateness of physical activity for service users by completing pre-exercise health questionnaires, reviewing medical notes and physical observations, considering risk summaries, and understanding restrictions under the Mental Health Act, as well as contraindications and precautions for exercise.
Please see the attached Job Description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Level 3 in Personal Training or Exercise Referral
- Level 2 in Fitness Instruction
- GCSE Maths and English (grade C and above) or equivalent
- Experience working with people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities engaging in physical activity based activities
Desirable
- Experience delivering physical activities in various settings
- Experience of working with people in a heath or social care environment
- Understanding of mental health problems, and an awareness of potential associated risks
- Effective written and verbal communication skills across a wide audience
- Experience working in a multi-professional team
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
- Level 3 in Personal Training or Exercise Referral
- Level 2 in Fitness Instruction
- GCSE Maths and English (grade C and above) or equivalent
- Experience working with people with mental health conditions or learning disabilities engaging in physical activity based activities
Desirable
- Experience delivering physical activities in various settings
- Experience of working with people in a heath or social care environment
- Understanding of mental health problems, and an awareness of potential associated risks
- Effective written and verbal communication skills across a wide audience
- Experience working in a multi-professional team
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.
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