Cardiac Rehab Exercise Specialist/Fitness Instructor | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in London seeks a professional to support patients recovering from heart-related procedures. You will coordinate and deliver cardiac rehabilitation programs, focusing on exercise and patient education. The role requires strong leadership and communication skills, along with the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team. The position offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in patient care and rehabilitation over a fixed term of 12 months.

Qualifications

• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills using verbal, written, and electronic methods.
• Ability to handle patient data securely and in compliance with regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead supervised exercise sessions and coordinate the Cardiac Rehabilitation programme.
• Conduct assessments for patients pre- and post-programme.
• Deliver educational sessions to patients and their families.

Skills

Leadership in exercise sessions

Patient communication

Ability to design exercise programs

Data collection and evaluation

Emotional support skills

Education

BACPR Phase IV exercise instructor status

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Overview

The role is within a multidisciplinary team to support patients exercise safely and effectively following myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, valve repair/replacement and percutaneous coronary interventions in both secondary care and potentially community venues. The post will be for a fixed term of 12 months to assist in the development, support, and delivery of the established program. The post involves high standards of clinical exercise activity within a cardiac rehabilitation team delivering a menu-based programme to patients suitable for cardiac rehabilitation. You will deliver the programme in a variety of settings with emphasis on exercise testing, prescription, and delivery. You will be involved in audit/data collection for service evaluation and improvement and liaise with colleagues to ensure effective use of facilities for structured exercise sessions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the supervised exercise sessions of the Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) programme and liaise with CR colleagues to ensure effective use of facilities for structured sessions.
• Conduct comprehensive physical activity assessments pre- and post-programme for all patients and partners recruited to the programme.
• Devise, implement, monitor, and progress individualized exercise prescriptions and progressive home-based programmes based on thorough assessment and policy/documentation.
• Monitor patients and partners to provide group or one-to-one support with additional appointments when necessary.
• Plan, deliver and review patient and family/carer education sessions.
• Facilitate behaviour change for all components of the preventive cardiology programme through active participation in health promotion.
• Liaise with CR colleagues to provide exit route opportunities and encourage long-term sustainability of an active lifestyle through Phase IV or mainstream provision as appropriate.
• Be aware of breadth of physical activity opportunities across the borough and the required level of fitness for each individual.
• Receive feedback from patients/clients to continuously improve the service; negotiate goal setting and behaviour change.
• Work in a variety of settings with emphasis on exercise testing, prescription, and delivery; participate in audit/data collection for service evaluation and improvement.
• Develop, support, and deliver the established CR program and participate in ongoing service development with the CR team.
• Provide exit and transition opportunities for patients and support long-term engagement in physical activity.

Communication

• Communicate effectively using verbal, written, and electronic methods.
• Provide emotional support to patients and their families to manage their condition.
• Competent use of IT systems (email, virtual technology) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Professionalism

• Stay updated with changes in health and fitness, through literature, seminars, and ongoing professional development.
• Identify administrative and professional needs via regular meetings with the Senior Physical Activity Specialist/physiotherapist and the Lead Nurse for CR; this is supported by Appraisal and a Personal Development Plan (PDP).
• Maintain BACPR Phase IV exercise instructor status and attend relevant post-related courses.

Teaching and Training

• Provide education to patients and carers relevant to the programme, promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Deliver educational topics through face-to-face, group, and individual sessions.

Clinical Governance

• Keep patient information secure in transit in accordance with information governance requirements.
• Ensure information provided to clients or health professionals is up-to-date and evidence-based.
• Comply with Trust and department policies on documentation (paper-based or computerised).
• Monitor and utilise resources in accordance with the CR communication budget.

Research

• Accurately collect and collate physical activity data to contribute to programme evaluation.
• Record and collect data for clinical audits or research projects as appropriate; liaise with CR to monitor progress and outcomes.
• Participate in local and/or national research and development initiatives as appropriate.

Other Duties

• Develop the CR service with the team; support other multidisciplinary colleagues and attend meetings as appropriate.
• Manage resources safely, including exercise equipment and display equipment.
• Deal sensitively with patients/carers who may be distressed; conduct assessments and treatment across various settings; manage multiple aspects of the job description.
• Be prepared to work with clients who have language barriers; may deliver informal presentations to community groups or staff.
• Promote closer to-home healthcare and assist in promoting CR, health checks in community settings, and marketing materials.
• Be flexible with location and hours (including evenings/weekends) to ensure accessibility; support local patient groups and Heart Support Group; maintain links with Phase IV instructors.
• undertake any ad hoc duties to deliver the service and support other teams as needed.

This advert closes on Tuesday 30 Sep 2025.