Advance Clinical Exercise Instructor

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The post holder will provide comprehensive physical activity and clinical exercise programs to working age adult acute inpatient wards. This service will be delivered both in the central gymnasium at the NDBH and on the Maudsley wards where necessary. There will be opportunities to organise and establish a borough-wide community Clinical Exercise group.

The post holder will coordinate a high-quality service that includes assessment and monitoring of physical health, safeguarding service users' rights, supervising junior staff and students, collaborating with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, and maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment with accurate records. You will provide equitable clinical exercise services and develop appropriate exercise regimes across different environments within the wards.

You will work alongside other Clinical Exercise professionals, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists to develop and disseminate physical health programs and promote awareness of the benefits of physical activity for healthier lifestyles.

Main duties of the job

Working autonomously within the role's parameters, leading the implementation of evidence-based physical activity initiatives. To provide and lead clinical exercise programs for patients with relatively stable, less complex needs.

1. Triaging referrals and initial data collection
2. Monitoring individual service user progress
3. Collaborating closely with physiotherapists and occupational therapists
4. Producing reports and in-care reviews
5. Devising care plans and interventions
6. Coordinating and monitoring Lifestyle Medicine interventions

Deliver active exercise referral consultations, assessments, and tailored programs by managing your caseload, communicating effectively with key workers and MDT members. Conduct 1:1 sessions tailored to individual needs, contributing to service user wellbeing and physical health improvements through lifestyle interventions. Supervise junior team members and liaise with MDTs to ensure patients have access to activity opportunities throughout the day.

About us

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) offers the widest range of NHS mental health and substance misuse services in the UK. We collaborate with the IoPPN, King's College London, and are part of King's Health Partners. Our organisation is distinguished by its integration of care, science, research, and training, providing unique opportunities to work with leading experts and engage in academic research.

Job responsibilities

Plan and deliver comprehensive, needs-led exercise and physical activity programs for clients on adult acute inpatient wards, guided by evidence-based practice and patient preferences.

Monitor, evaluate, and audit projects to ensure services meet client needs and identify improvement opportunities within available resources.

Stay informed about developments in mental health and sports medicine, applying health promotion strategies to educate staff and patients, and ensuring services align with current trends.

Apply therapeutic techniques as part of multidisciplinary interventions, involving service users and carers when appropriate.

Ensure gym safety by ongoing assessment and maintenance of equipment, adhering to health and safety standards and NHS policies.

Provide feedback to MDTs, contribute to treatment plans, and record patient progress using the Electronic Patient Journey System.

Screen patients physically to ensure safety during exercise, monitoring their physical health throughout programs.

Support service development projects, supervise junior staff and students, and promote effective team working as the lead for physical activities within the program.

Liaise with external agencies to facilitate clients' independent exercise post-discharge.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

• Degree in Sports Science or related field
• ACSM Exercise Instructor or equivalent (e.g., NVQ 2/3)
• Level 3 Personal Trainer Qualification or equivalent
• MSc/MA or equivalent
• Additional coaching qualifications
• Membership of relevant professional bodies (e.g., BACPR, CIMSPA, CEP UK)

Experience / Knowledge

• Extensive experience as an exercise instructor
• Experience in organising and teaching various sports/exercise activities
• Experience working within an MDT
• Experience with clients with complex physical and/or mental health needs
• Experience supervising junior staff and students
• Experience working with diverse cultural backgrounds
• Experience in audit or research related to exercise practice
• Experience in development or quality improvement projects

Knowledge/Skills

• Advanced exercise prescription skills in a mental health inpatient setting
• Ability to design individualized exercise interventions
• Skills to facilitate change under supervision
• Understanding of NHS mental health policies and priorities
• Knowledge of clinical exercise and physical activity within health services
• Understanding of lifestyle medicine and its evidence base
• Ability to plan, organise, and prioritise workload

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role requires a DBS check in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

Salary: £44,806 to £53,134 per annum (inclusive of HCAs)