Band 4 Exercise Specialist - Weston-super-Mare

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust; Weston-super-Mare; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Weston-super-Mare is seeking a motivated Exercise Specialist to join their Mental Health Inpatient Exercise team. The role involves improving the physical fitness of service users in mental health units and may include community outreach work. Ideal candidates should have experience in exercise prescription and be able to engage individuals creatively. This role offers the chance to put knowledge into practice and support health promotion activities.

Qualifications

• Experience and expertise in exercise prescription and supervision.
• Ability to work with groups and individuals.
• Motivated individual with strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Carry out pre-exercise readiness screening and physical assessments.
• Design and implement physical activity programs for individuals and groups.
• Promote health promotions and campaigns.
• Safely handle gym equipment and conduct assessments.

Skills

Exercise prescription

Physical fitness improvement

Health promotion activities

Creative engagement methods

Job description

Job overview

We are looking for a motivated and flexible Exercise Specialist who will work as part of our Mental Health Inpatient Exercise team, working with our inpatients in North Somerset. You will address and improve the physical fitness and general health and well-being of service users in these in-patient mental health units there may also be some opportunities for community outreach work.

You will be a highly motivated, organised individual with experience and expertise in exercise prescription and supervision. This is an excellent opportunity to be able to put your knowledge and skills into practice to work with groups and individuals to plan, organise and deliver physical fitness, exercise and health promotion activities. One of the key challenges of this role is working with varying levels of motivation and ability, will need to be able to enthuse and engage individuals in different and creative ways.

Main duties of the job

• To carry out pre-exercise readiness screening and appropriate physical assessment, to include management of risk and identifying contraindications to physical activity and exercise.
• To design, implement, monitor and adapt physical activity and exercise programmes, on an individual and group basis, as appropriate. Observing and monitoring progress and making adjustments to interventions.
• To promote, participate and create resources for health promotions and campaigns.
• To demonstrate safe moving and handling of gym, and other equipment.
• To conduct pre-exercise screens and physical assessments within the parameters of own competency and scope of practice, and referring to more experienced or suitably qualified staff for guidance and support.
• Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, carry out specific rehab programmes for a condition or injury.
• To assess the safety and appropriateness of physical activity for service users through carrying out a pre-exercise health questionnaire; review of medical notes/physical observations; review of the risk summary of service users and understanding any restrictions in place under the Mental Health Act, as well as being aware of contraindications and precautions for exercise.