Job summary
The South London and Maudsley NHs Trust is looking for a full-time band 4 advanced clinical exercise instructor based at the Royal Bethlem Hospital (Beckenham, Kent). You will be part of a small team who provide exercise opportunities for our patients. We are ideally looking for an exercise instructor with experience in working in mental health to promote and deliver exercise classes both in groups and one on one as well as running of our gym facilities. You will need to be flexible, enthusiastic, and keen to promote the important and value of exercise to our patients and staff. Exercise professionals with degree qualifications or related equivalence in experience are welcome to apply.
Main duties of the job
1. To provide exercise therapy for service users referred to the Exercise Therapy Team. All service users have mental health needs and some will have complex mental health & social care needs.
2. To provide a range of suitable physical activities, overseeing sport and exercise programmes.
3. To educate & motivate service users to adopt healthier lifestyles.
4. To work and plan alongside other members of the immediate team and with the wider MDT, communicating effectively about service users and service changes/developments.
About us
By coming to work at SLaM, you will gain experience of being part of an organisation with a rich history and international reputation in mental health care. You will have access to professional development and learning opportunities, and have the chance to work alongside people who are world leaders in their field. SLaM delivered more than 14,000 training experiences in 2014; providing an extensive range of learning opportunities for staff at all levels. In addition, our working relationship with King's Health Partners allows those working at the Trust to get involved in academic research.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To assess service users suitability for exercise, adhering to ACSM guidelines where appropriate.
To discuss concerns around any identified medical contraindications to exercise with the wards medical staff.
To assist bd 5/6 clinicians in tailoring a service users sport/exercise therapy programme to their individual needs, taking personal interests and any possible limitations into account.
To be aware of service users history/background/culture and take this into account when designing exercise programmes.
To promote and support individual choice and maximum independence, respecting service users beliefs and ensuring privacy & dignity.
To have a awareness of medication and the possible side effects when planning /designing exercise therapy sessions.
To plan and deliver a range of exercise and sports interventions, taking into account the differing abilities of service users on the ward and in community settings.
To lead gym sessions, exercise sessions and coaching / sports sessions with individuals and groups.
Person Specification
Training & Qualification
Essential
5. Level 3 Gym Instructor qualification YMCA
Desirable
6. ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist
7. ACSM/NCHPAD Certified Inclusive Fitness Trainer
8. Degree in Sports Science or equivalent sports related degree
Experience
Essential
9. Experience of working as a gym instructor, with groups and individuals, screening, assessing and designing exercise programmes
10. Experience of coaching/leading sports activities with service users of differing abilities
Desirable
11. Experience of working with service users with physical health conditions
12. Ability to teach a variety of sports
13. Experience of assessing and advising on healthy lifestyle issues
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
14. Ability to work under pressure
15. Basic IT skills oEffective team worker
16. Ability to lead healthy lifestyle groups
17. Good organisational skills oGood communication skills, written and verbal
Desirable
18. An understanding of commonly encountered mental health conditions
Other
Essential
19. Demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning
20. Flexible approach to work to meet service user and service needs
Desirable
21. Personal experience of mental health problems