Exercise Therapy Technician

Job summary

We are a supportive and innovative team that work across the adult mental health services in Portsmouth who provide specialist multi-disciplinary care to adults with severe and enduring mental illness or are experiencing crisis.

Our aim is to improve access to and provision of physical activity and healthy lifestyle interventions for individuals within the Mental Health Services. You will have a passion for physical activity, health improvement and working with adults with mental illness. You will work closely with Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Exercise Therapy Associate Practitioner and Community Exercise providers to deliver and support access to physical activity opportunities predominantly on the wards as well as community settings.

We are looking for someone with a professional and empathetic attitude in addition to excellent communication skills and the ability to motivate and inspire others. You must be able to manage their time effectively and be both flexible and creative in their approach to delivering physical activity and health improvement programmes.

You will require a recognised exercise teaching qualification e.g. gym instructor or personal trainer, be able to participate in a 6 day working pattern and be of a sufficient fitness to complete training in the Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression.

We invite applicants to visit the ward, especially if they have limited experience working with individuals with severe mental illness

Main duties of the job

This role will support the delivery of an 18 month exercise and improved lifestyle programme with and for people experiencing severe and enduring mental illness who access ward and community based Mental Health Services in Portsmouth.

Working with the Senior Exercise Professional the post holder will ensure a 6 day exercise and physical activity programme across mental health wards. They will support the provision of jointly-run supported gym and exercise sessions in mainstream community exercise facilities, working in partnership with Leisure and voluntary sector providers. And work with public health partners to ensure an Improving Lifestyle range of educational sessions.

Working with people who access our services to improve and evaluate this project is key to its success and this post holder will be key in supporting and promoting this.

They will be supported by a Senior Exercise Professional and wider multi-disciplinary service. And receive supervision and professional development from physiotherapy and the Allied Health Professions Service.

The successful candidate should be able to participate in a 6 day working pattern.

About us

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation, combining the expertise and services of multiple NHS providers to deliver high-quality healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With a dedicated workforce exceeding 12,000 staff and a footprint that spans more than 200 sites across Hampshire, we offer an extensive range of services, including mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health care, reaching diverse communities across urban, rural, and coastal areas.

We are committed to delivering care with compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, ensuring that our patients and service users are at the heart of everything we do. By working closely with our partners, we're creating a forward-thinking, inclusive organisation that champions staff development, well-being, and collaboration.

Join us and be part of an organisation dedicated to delivering exceptional healthcare; where your skills and ambitions can make a real difference to the communities we serve, now and in the future.