Job summary
Shaftesbury Clinic is a Forensic in-patient service within South West London and St Georges NHS Trust providing specialised multi-disciplinary care to male and female mentally disordered offenders. We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Clinical Exercise Therapist to join our well-established team within a Low and Medium Secure Service.
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.
You 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.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work alongside the Senior Clinical Exercise Therapist to support the planning, co-ordination and delivery of an extensive physical activity group programme. They will also provide targeted physical activity programmes for individuals with a range of mental health conditions and chronic physical health difficulties. In addition they will be involved in health promotion activity focusing on the importance of maintaining a physically active lifestyle for improved health and wellbeing.
We are looking for a mature personality and a professional attitude. 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.
Please note that your CIMSPA registration number will be checked, and applicants will not be shortlisted unless a current CIMSPA registration number is on the application form.
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.
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 ofbenefits 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.
About our locations:
Springfield University Hospital, Tooting
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assess service users suitability for exercise, adhering to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines where appropriate.
- To demonstrate a broad knowledge of physical health conditions and highlight and address concerns around any identified medical contraindications to exercise with the wards medical staff.
- To develop sport/exercise therapy programme that addresses individual service user need, self identified goals 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To assess service users suitability for exercise, adhering to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines where appropriate.
- To demonstrate a broad knowledge of physical health conditions and highlight and address concerns around any identified medical contraindications to exercise with the wards medical staff.
- To develop sport/exercise therapy programme that addresses individual service user need, self identified goals 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.
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
- Level 2 Exercise to Music
- Any other L3 or L4 Reps recognised Qualification
- HSE approved First Aid at work course (4 days)
- Current UK driving licence
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
- Basic IT skills
- Group work skills
- Effective team worker
- Ability to lead healthy lifestyle groups
- Good communication skills, written and verbal
- An understanding of working with people with mental health needs
Desirable
- An understanding of commonly encountered mental health conditions
- An understanding of forensic mental health service
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
- Level 2 Exercise to Music
- Any other L3 or L4 Reps recognised Qualification
- HSE approved First Aid at work course (4 days)
- Current UK driving licence
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
- Basic IT skills
- Group work skills
- Effective team worker
- Ability to lead healthy lifestyle groups
- Good communication skills, written and verbal
- An understanding of working with people with mental health needs
Desirable
- An understanding of commonly encountered mental health conditions
- An understanding of forensic mental health service
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).
