Fitness instructor

Job overview

• To provide a service to challenging and vulnerable service users with complex mental health problems on acute Adult Inpatient Mental Health wards and a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). To undertake assessment of service users (within departmental guidelines) regarding their suitability to participate in exercise sessions. To plan, teach, implement and review individual and group exercise programmes, and sports sessions to promote/improve physical and mental wellbeing in both gym and community settings. To complete service user records and other required documentation. To maintain, repair and ensure correct and safe functioning of all gymnasium/ sports equipment. Including organizing outside repairs and warranties etc and planning for new equipment.
• To provide a service to challenging and vulnerable service users with complex mental health problems on acute Adult Inpatient Mental Health wards and a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
• To undertake assessment of service users (within departmental guidelines) regarding their suitability to participate in exercise sessions.
• To plan, teach, implement and review individual and group exercise programmes, and sports sessions to promote/improve physical and mental wellbeing in both gym and community settings.
• To complete service user records and other required documentation.
• To maintain, repair and ensure correct and safe functioning of all gymnasium/ sports equipment. Including organizing outside repairs and warranties etc and planning for new equipment.

Main duties of the job

• To deliver exercise/fitness programmes and sports sessions independently of a qualified physiotherapist to individuals or groups within acute inpatient wards and review these programmes.
• To promote physical and mental well being by running exercise groups autonomously in an environment that requires skills of adaptability and initiative, working with an often unpredictable and challenging service user group.
• Undertake day to day assessment of service users’ mental health and physical levels of function and capacity to undertake activities in liaison with other therapy staff and ward staff, and modify exercise programmes appropriately.
• To recognise when service users have achieved their goals and to review and redesign programmes in consultation with the service user.
• Ability to recognise when service users should stop exercising due to safety or health reasons and liaise with the physiotherapist or ward doctor as is appropriate.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main duties/responsibilities

Clinical

• To deliver exercise/fitness programmes and sports sessions independently of a qualified physiotherapist to individuals or groups within acute inpatient wards and review these programmes.
• To promote physical and mental well-being by running exercise groups autonomously in an environment that requires skills of adaptability and initiative, working with an often unpredictable and challenging service user group.
• Undertake day to day assessment of service users’ mental health and physical levels of function and capacity to undertake activities in liaison with other therapy staff and ward staff and modify exercise programmes appropriately.
• To recognise when service users have achieved their goals and to review and redesign programmes in consultation with the service user.
• Ability to recognise when service users should stop exercising due to safety or health reasons and liaise with the physiotherapist or ward doctor as is appropriate.
• To supervise occupational therapists, support workers/assistants who may assist with exercise groups.
• When required, to continue a treatment plan set for service users following assessment by a qualified physiotherapist, according to agreed plans.
• To liaise with other Allied Health Professionals in the planning of therapeutic programmes for service users and on occasion work jointly on some of the groups planned (e.g. health awareness).
• To attend and contribute to department handovers and feedback sessions regarding the progress of service users.
• To communicate with patients and carers who frequently have barriers to understanding e.g. complex mental health problems, to maximise rehabilitation potential.
• To have expert verbal and non-verbal communication skills of motivation, explanation and reassurance to gain cooperation of service users in undertaking fitness sessions.
• To keep abreast of services/facilities available in the community to refer service users on or signpost on discharge.
• To have excellent communication skills regarding liaising with other members of the multidisciplinary team, communicating sensitive or confidential information, when divulged by a service user when indicated.
• Induct ward staff and other therapy staff into the safe use of gym equipment as set out in the Out of Hours policy.
• Be an active member of the in-service training programme by the attendance and delivery of training sessions.
• To maintain job related competencies through lifelong learning, continual professional development and attendance on relevant external courses and incorporate evidence-based practice.
• To participate in annual Performance Development Review and produce work related objectives.
• To demonstrate an understanding of Clinical Governance, and equal opportunities polices, Risk Management and apply to work situations.
• To participate in research trials and audit as service requires.
• To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives and carers related to the treatment plan.
• To provide therapeutic interventions in working conditions which are frequently hazardous e.g., verbally and physically aggressive persons and exposure to body fluids.
• To undertake moving and handling of gym equipment and other objects (e.g. furniture, to create space for group work) utilizing moderate physical effort within clinical and non-clinical settings. This may involve bending, kneeling or frequent repetitive activities often in confined restricted places.
• To work with service users, carers, relatives who often have distressing or challenging social/clinical circumstances/behaviors.
• Organizational
• To be responsible for the management and prioritization of own workload.
• To participate in induction and training of therapy assistants.
• To promote the understanding of the role of fitness and exercise to therapy students and other health and social care staff.
• Contribute to discussions on service and policy development and provide comments on proposals.
• To monitor and order stock and maintain equipment.
• To be responsible for gym/sports equipment used in carrying out duties and to adhere to departmental policy ensuring competence in use.
• To organize and plan appropriate venues for the provision of group activities taking into account service users physical and mental capabilities.
• To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date clinical and non-clinical documentation in line with legal and departmental requirements.
• To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the department.
• To be responsible for Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including your prompt recording and reporting of accidents and incidents to senior staff and ensuring that equipment use is safe.
• To contribute to the completion of risk assessments.
• To comply with the organizational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate.
• To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Head of Therapy Services after negotiation and adequate training.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.