Exercise Therapy Practitioner

Job overview

An opportunity has arisen for a full time (37.5 hours a week) exercise instructor to join our current full time exercise instructor within the therapies team at St. Ann's hospital, our busy mental health inpatient unit.

The post holder will have experience in working with people who have mental health problems be skilled at motivating people with compassion to engage in exercise in order to support their physical and mental health.

The 2 exercise instructors will deliver an inclusive and responsive exercise service that has the flexibility to meet the needs and capitalise on the strengths of  the people in the hospital.

The post holder will be managed by the therapies manager who is an occupational therapist and will work closely with physiotherapy, occupational therapy and ward teams at the hospital.

Ongoing professional development is a core part of these roles and there will be support to promote best practice in exercise provision for the people who use our service.

Applicants will need to have successfully completed their Level 3 Personal Trainer and Level 3 Exercise Referral training

Main duties of the job

To provide fitness instruction and to ensure safe practice in the working environment and in the gym.

To induct staff to the gym to enable them to supervise patients with fitness the programmes devised by the exercise instructor.

To respond to referrals for service users, to induct service users to the gym, provide fitness programmes admonitor progress.

You will be required to undertake a Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression course and it is a condition of your employment that you successfully complete all aspects of this course; if this is not achieved you will not be able to commence working in the post.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of.  Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification.  When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact [email protected]