Clinical Exercise Therapist

NHS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health organization in Greater London seeks a Clinical Exercise Therapist to lead exercise interventions in a forensic inpatient service. The role involves tailoring exercise programs, assessing patient needs, and promoting healthier lifestyles. Applicants should have a degree in Sports and Exercise Science and relevant experience in health settings. Competitive salary ranging from £37,259 to £45,356 annually, plus various benefits including career development and flexible working options.

Benefits

Flexible working

Career development opportunities

Supportive environment

Qualifications

• Degree in Sports and Exercise Science or equivalent sports related degree.
• HSE approved First Aid at work course to be completed within first year.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and lead exercise interventions in the secure services program.
• Assess patients' suitability for exercise according to ACSM guidelines.
• Tailor sports and exercise programs to individual patient needs.

Skills

Effective team worker

Ability to lead healthy lifestyle groups

Good communication skills

Health/safety awareness

Education

Degree in Sports and Exercise Science or equivalent

Certificates in Exercise & Mental Health

Job description

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

Clinical Exercise Therapist

The closing date is 04 January 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Lead Clinical exercise therapist in our forensic inpatient service in South West London & St George's Mental Health Trust. We have a large and supportive therapies team consisting of Occupational therapists, clinical exercise therapists, activity support workers, and technical instructors. The Forensic Inpatient Service is comprised of both medium and low secure wards. The service provides treatment under the Mental Health Act for men and women with mental health problems and who are considered to pose a significant risk of harm to others. The primary aim of the Forensic Inpatient Service is to provide a safe and secure environment in which to support forensic patients to develop the skills necessary for their recovery and a smooth transition into the community. The therapies team work across the four wards within the service.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will be a key member of the Forensic Occupational Therapy Team, co‑ordinating and leading on the provision of exercise interventions and sports activities as part of the secure services programme for all medium and low secure wards. The service has a small team of clinical exercise therapists that sit within the broader Occupational Therapy team. The postholder will lead this aspect of the team providing a range of sports and exercise interventions and activities that reflect the needs of forensic inpatients, as well as developing initiatives that educate and motivate patients to adopt and maintain healthier lifestyles. There will be opportunity to lead on specific quality improvement and service development projects in line with need of the service. Innovation is encouraged.

About us

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together. We are proud to co‑produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety of benefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

Job responsibilities

• To work effectively as a member of the OT team and provide a programme of ward, department and community based therapeutic activities. This will include leading on the development and facilitation of sports and exercise interventions and activities across the secure service.
• To assess patients suitability for exercise, adhering to ACSM guidelines where appropriate.
• To discuss concerns around any identified medical contraindications to exercise with OT, Clinical Exercise Therapy colleagues, ward staff and MDT medical staff.
• To tailor patients sports and exercise programmes to their individual needs, taking personal interests and any possible limitations into account.
• To be aware of patient history/background/culture/risk and take this into account when designing personalised exercise programmes.
• To promote and support individual choice and maximum independence, respecting patients beliefs and ensuring privacy and dignity.
• To be familiar with medication and the possible side effects when planning /designing/delivering exercise programmes.
• To maintain all fitness equipment to a satisfactory level, ensuring regular maintenance in line with Trust health and safety standards.
• To continually evaluate patient progress, exercise programmes and risk assessments as patients needs change, making timely alterations to exercise programmes accordingly.
• To assess and manage risk effectively within clinical and community settings, ensuring a safe environment in which to exercise.

Training & Qualifications

• Degree in Sports and Exercise Science or equivalent sports related degree
• Level 1 Sports Coaching Awards
• Certificates in Exercise & Mental Health
• HSE approved First Aid at work course (4 days) - to be completed within first year in post

Experience

• Experience of working as a gym instructor, with groups and individuals, screening, assessing and designing exercise programmes
• Experience of working within a NHS, Public Health or Mental Health setting
• Experience of coaching/leading sports activities with clients of differing abilities
• Experience of assessing and advising on healthy lifestyle issues

Knowledge and Skills

• Effective team worker
• Ability to lead healthy lifestyle groups
• Good communication skills, written and verbal
• Knowledge of our business and how it supports patient care
• health/safety and risk awareness
• An understanding of working with people with mental health needs
• Ability to teaching a variety of sports

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

£37,259 to £45,356 a yearpro rata per annum inclusive of inner London HCAS