Health and Fitness Assistant
Job overview
Post: Health and Fitness AssistantLocation: Based at The Hatherton Centre Stafford, providing support to Ellesmere House (learning disability) and Clee, low secure unit Shrewsbury.
Hours: 37.5 hours (some evening and weekend work may be required)
We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified level 3 Gym Instructor to work as a Health and Fitness assistant within forensic services in Stafford and Shrewsbury as part of an established physical health team.
We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual to join the existing team. The successful applicant will work closely with a range of professionals including dietician, physiotherapists and other health and fitness professionals in the provision of physical activity, exercise, health promotion activities and interventions to service users across the inpatient forensic wards.
The applicant will have a level 3 personal trainer/ advanced gym instructor qualification, have a keen interest in working with people mental health problems, supporting them to engage in physical activity and in promoting all aspects of health and well being.
You will be working in a friendly, supportive and challenging working environment which will provide excellent opportunities to work alongside other health professionals who will support you in your role and can help with your ongoing personal development.
If you are interested in the post or would like any further information, please contact us via the contact details given.
Main duties of the job- The post holder will work under the clinical supervision from Allied Health Professionals with support from the Health and fitness practitioner to implement physical activity intervention plans and other activities which promote service user health and wellbeing
- The post holder will be responsible for devising safe exercise/ fitness sessions with support from the Health and Fitness Practitioner and supervision from Allied Health Professionals.
- The post holder will be responsible for providing timely and accurate written and verbal feedback for all interventions as part of an overall physical health plan.
- The post-holder is responsible for working collaboratively with other Trust services to provide seamless mental health care for service users within secure inpatient mental health services and seeking supervision to ensure understanding of occupational performance, communication and impact of the mental illness upon the service user.
- To provide practical support, spend therapeutic time, including, using prescribed exercises to maintain / improve the physical wellbeing of an allocated group of service users with mental health needs within a secure setting.
- To promote service user’s recovery through the delivery of high quality, outcome measured care and evidence based interventions.
- To assist Allied Health Professionals in the implementation and evaluation of individualized care plans.
Working for our organisation
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;- Supporting your career development and progression
- Excellent NHS Pension scheme
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Options for flexible working
- Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days)
- Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
- If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
- Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
- Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
- Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
- Free car parking at all trust sites
- Free flu vaccinations every year
- Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)
We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the Job Description and Person Specification document attached, for further details on this role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Sports Instructor/ Fitness qualification at Level 2 or willingness to complete training.
- English and Maths GCSE or equivalent.
- Quality credit framework qualification at level 3 e.g NVQ or OCN which is transferable into the role.
- BSc in sports science.
Experience
Essential criteria- Experience of working as part of a team and delivering a customer focused service.
- Understanding of the role of Allied Health professionals in delivering physical and mental health care in a secure setting.
- Relevant experience working within health, social care settings which provides transferable knowledge and skills.
- Basic knowledge of some conditions relevant to the clinical area and the effects of illness on function.
- Self-motivation for Continued Professional Development.
- Ability to be part of planning and delivering a group.