SHSCT Exercise Professional for Physiotherapy MSK

Job details

• Branch: Armagh & Dungannon area (SHSCT)
• Location: Outpatient services Across SHSCT Trust
• Directorate: Adult Community and Acute Services
• Salary: Band 5 (£31,049 - £37,796)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 24/06/26
• Closes: Wed, 24 June 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Exercise Professional

BAND

Band 5

DIRECTORATE

ACS

INITIAL LOCATION

Physiotherapy Outpatient Services across the Southern Trust

REPORTS TO

Clinical Lead /Band 7 Physiotherapists

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Head of Physiotherapy

FLEXIBLE WORKING PROVISIONS AVAILABLE

Fixed working patterns, Compressed/elongated hours.

JOB SUMMARY

To take responsibility for the effective and efficient development, physical delivery and evaluation of the exercise prescription component of the patient management programs within the Physiotherapy MSK Service.

To implement therapeutic exercise programs of the various patient cohorts served by the Physiotherapy Teams.

To undertake assessment of patients assigned to them by physiotherapists to assist in their treatment/care plans.

To hold responsibility for own caseload and be responsible for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type, working without direct supervision.

Undertake evidence-based audit and research projects, to further own and team’s physical activity interventions within practice.

Make recommendations to clinical lead/manager of service for changes to practice by the team. May lead the implementation of specific changes to practice or contribute to service protocols.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational

Independently assess, manage and treat a caseload comprised of patients deemed suitable by you and the Physiotherapist for physical rehabilitation / reconditioning via exercise prescription and management. These patients may be assessed and treated in either individual or class based programs.

To be responsible for own practice and accountable for all aspects of treatment and care delivered to the patient.

Ensure that individual patient assessment is comprehensive, taking account of cardiovascular baseline fitness measurements and any other compounding fitness factors i.e. arthritis prior to the development of exercise and advice programs for each patient

Guide and instruct the individuals or groups on these programs within the operating procedures developed by you and the Physiotherapist.

Make clinical judgements based upon the patient’s response to treatment that may necessitate modification of individual / group exercise programs. Work independently; dealing with most issues of safety and / or appropriateness of intervention as colleagues raise them. Seek guidance from the Physiotherapist, as you deem necessary.

Assess patient understanding of treatment proposals, gain valid informed consent and work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.

Collaborate with the Physiotherapist on proposed changes to pre-agreed generic exercise protocols for the various patient groups. In particular, highlight any unexpected variations in patient outcome.

To be responsible for maintaining accurate, timely and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with the Trust policies

Take the lead in co-ordinating and organising Exercise Professional led programmes; transportation of patients and / or equipment to and from exercise areas, preparation of the patient and area for delivery of exercise program while always having regard to safety of self and others

Undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Lead Physiotherapist in the specialty.

To provide other professionals involved in the care of your patients with advice in relation to appropriate exercise.

Accept responsibility for ensuring a suitable clean, uncluttered and safe environment for members of the public, staff, patients/clients and their relatives.

To be directly responsible and accountable to the clinical lead/senior physiotherapist within the team for the provision of an effective, efficient service.

To take delegated responsibility from the physiotherapy staff for managing patients with particular conditions.

Use a range of communication tools to communicate complex information effectively with patients re diagnosis and prognosis alongside providing encouragement and motivation. This includes patients who have difficulties in communication and understanding e.g. dysphasia, deafness, cognitive impairment, and where English is not the first language.

Provide and maintain high professional standards as detailed by the relevant professional body; CIMSPA or BASES.

Organisational

To ensure there are appropriate arrangements in place for onward referral and/or follow up on discharge from the physiotherapy service.

Ensure safe practice under the Health & Safety at Work order. Ensure that equipment used by the physiotherapy service is safe and maintained at all times.

Take responsibility for assessment and ordering of specialised equipment and updating knowledge of availability of new equipment. Training of patients and carers re safe use of this equipment.

To attend meetings as required by line manager.

To ensure effective communication with all members of the uni-professional and multi-disciplinary teams.

To closely liaise with all Senior Managers in order to effectively discharge the stated duties of the post.

Professional Development

Facilitate CPD, for self and more junior staff and ensure accurate records and reflective learning recorded.

To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development.

Provide training, mentoring and advice to qualified and non-qualified staff.

Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review.

Maintain and develop current knowledge and implementation of evidence-based practice in the areas of each rotation, developing specialist knowledge of particular conditions and patient types.

Service Improvement

To co-operate and assist with the provision of out of hours clinics as necessary

To participate in or lead on clinical audit and research.

Undertake evidence-based projects and develop improvements to service delivery and clinical practice. Make recommendations for change to the physiotherapy team manager/lead.

To be involved in the development of policies for the physiotherapy services. To provide statistical information, as required, helping monitor and develop the service.

To, if required, oversee the upkeep of accurate information in relation to the Trust’s Information Systems.

To assist develop a more flexible workforce better able to respond to the changing needs of the Service.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

PERSONAL AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (PPI)

INCLUDE FOR ALL OTHER STAFF

Involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community where relevant, in developing, planning, delivering and evaluating our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI) and Co-Production. Further information is available at engage.hscni.net

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust’s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

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PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Exercise Professional Band 5

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE ACS

SALARY per annum pro rata

HOURS Full Time

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Minimum of 12 months employment working with and prescribing exercise for health improvement for special populations.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

BSc Sport and Exercise Science or BSc / BA Sport, Physical Activity and Health - must include; anatomy, applied physiology, movement analyses and behavioural psychology

Registered with: CIMSPA or BASES Certified Exercise Practitioner

Willing to undertake further specific training in Exercise Prescription for special populations.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Effective communication skills

Effective time management skills

Good ability to motivate and influence staff and clients

Good awareness of own limitations

Interview

Knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of the benefits of cardiovascular exercise to the human body

Knowledge of the human neuromuscular system

Understanding the impact of chronic disease on the human neuromuscular and cardiovascular systems

Knowledge and aptitude for the application of the biopsychosocial model of practice within patient care

Knowledge of Health and Safety issues relevant to this post

Interview

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance.

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times