Job summary
This is a unique and exciting opportunity to be the first ever Clinical Exercise Therapist at Sussex Partnership NHS Trust. We are a Mental Health Trust and want to develop our physical health provision to the population we serve. We see introducing specialist exercise therapy as a key component in improving the physical and mental health of our servicer users.
We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Clinical Exercise Therapist. You will be in possession of or working towards a degree or equivalent in related area (e.g. sports science, health studies, youth and community work), with recognised exercise teaching or coaching qualifications, for example Gym Instructor or GP Referral.
The successful candidate will have experience of designing individualised physical activity programmes and practical experience of delivering physical activity sessions for people with a range of health needs. Experience of working in a mental health or healthcare setting would be desirable.
You will join the already established physiotherapy team and work as part of a wider specialist multi-disciplinary team who care for people with mental ill-heath. The role covers in-patient adult wards across two sites (Swandean Hospital in Worthing and Oaklands Centre for Acute Care in Chichester).
Please note that your CIMSPA registration is required for shortlisting.
Main duties of the job
You will support the planning, co-ordination and delivery of an extensive physical activity group programme. You will also provide targeted physical activity programmes for individuals with a range of mental health conditions and chronic physical health difficulties. In addition, you will be involved in health promotion activity focusing on the importance of maintaining a physically active lifestyle for improved health and wellbeing. You will also work to develop the signposting and referral of patients for physical activity/sports groups on discharge back into the community.
Candidates will need to have excellent communication, motivational and time management skills. They'll need to be energetic, flexible and creative in their approach to delivering physical activity health improvement programmes and have a keen interest in working with people with mental health needs. They must also have a proven ability to work effectively in a team, and effective communication and presentation skills.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
About us
By joining our team, you will benefit from:
- Strong supportive teams with dedicated supportive leaders
- Excellent CPD opportunities
- A service that works to develop clear evidence-based care pathways
Sussex Partnership provides mental health and learning disability care for all age groups across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire.
We encourage flexible working. We know that a positive work/ life balance brings about huge health-related benefits, which has a positive impact on the care we provide. Please speak to us about flexible working, for example, part time hours, flexible start/ finish times or anything else. If it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.
We'd love you to join our Trust, rated 'good' overall and 'outstanding' for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree, in our recent staff survey 82% told us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.
Other key survey results:
- 70% highlighting flexible working as a key point for satisfaction at work
- 79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work in their team
- 77% identifying opportunities to show initiative in their roles
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide clinical exercise therapy for service users referred. All service users have mental health needs and some will have complex mental health & social care needs. To provide a range of suitable physical activities, overseeing sport and exercise programmes. To educate & motivate service users to adopt healthier lifestyles. To work and plan alongside other members of the immediate team and with the wider MDT, communicating effectively about service users and service changes/developments The role is a pilot with the aim of evidencing the impact of exercise therapy in the in-patient mental health setting so professional lead can use the evidence to build a case for a trust wide exercise therapy service
To assess service user's 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide clinical exercise therapy for service users referred. All service users have mental health needs and some will have complex mental health & social care needs. To provide a range of suitable physical activities, overseeing sport and exercise programmes. To educate & motivate service users to adopt healthier lifestyles. To work and plan alongside other members of the immediate team and with the wider MDT, communicating effectively about service users and service changes/developments The role is a pilot with the aim of evidencing the impact of exercise therapy in the in-patient mental health setting so professional lead can use the evidence to build a case for a trust wide exercise therapy service
To assess service user's 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.
Person Specification
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
- HSE approved First Aid at work course (3 days)
- Level 3/4 REP's/CIMSPA registration number must be provided
Desirable
- ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist
- Degree in Sports Science or equivalent sports related degree
- ACSM/NCHPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer
- 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
- Experience of working with service users with physical health conditions
- Experience of working in a mental health or healthcare setting would be desirable ? A
Person Specification
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
- HSE approved First Aid at work course (3 days)
- Level 3/4 REP's/CIMSPA registration number must be provided
Desirable
- ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist
- Degree in Sports Science or equivalent sports related degree
- ACSM/NCHPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer
- 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
- Experience of working with service users with physical health conditions
- Experience of working in a mental health or healthcare setting would be desirable ? A
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).
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).
