Clinical Exercise Therapist
Come and join us
We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.
So what can we offer you in return?
We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.
You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.
As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.
If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.
Job overview
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). This is a 12-month fixed term contract, working 20 hours per week. We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.
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.
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.
Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.
Working for our organisation
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. Introducing specialist exercise therapy as a key component in improving the physical and mental health of our servicer users.
We provide specialist NHS mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services and care for people of all ages at home, in hospital and through our community services in Sussex.
We offer a wide range of rewards and benefits to our staff. Here are some of the perks that make working at Sussex Partnership a great choice.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
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.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria- 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
- Ability to work under pressure
- Basic IT skills
- Group work skills
- Effective team worker
- Ability to lead healthy lifestyle groups
- Good organisational skills
- Good communication skills, written and verbal
- Good interpersonal skills
- Understanding of issues around professional conduct
- Health/safety and risk awareness
- An understanding of working with clients with mental health needs
- 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
- Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning
- Flexible approach to work to meet service user and service needs
- Must be prepared to travel efficiently between two sites as required
- 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
- Level 4 Cardiac Diseases
- Level 4 Obesity and Diabetes
- Level 3 Older Adults
- Level 2 Sports Coaching Award
- Any other L3 or L4 Reps recognised Qualification
- An understanding of commonly encountered mental health conditions
- 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
- Personal experience of mental health problems
- Car owner/driver
Sussex Partnership NHS FT is committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our communities. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black and Minority, Ethnic and disabled communities and we would welcome applications from these communities.
We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children’s social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people.It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role.
Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.