Fitness Instructor

Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare foundation in Sheffield is seeking a Fitness Instructor to enhance its team in supporting individuals with complex mental health issues. The role involves assessing service users for exercise programs, planning and conducting sessions in varied settings, and collaborating with occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Ideal candidates should possess excellent communication skills and be committed to the health and well-being of service users, ensuring safe and effective fitness interventions.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to health and well-being of complex mental health service users.
• Proficiency in exercise prescription and rehabilitation.
• Understanding of clinical governance and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Assess service users' suitability for exercise sessions.
• Plan and implement individual and group exercise programmes.
• Maintain and ensure safe functioning of gym equipment.

Skills

Communication skills

Exercise prescription

Ability to work autonomously

Job description

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity to increase our Fitness Instructor workforce with the opening of a new adult acute ward. This role would work alongside our existing Fitness Instructors to provide a service to challenging and vulnerable service users with complex mental health problems on inpatient mental health wards which may include: adult acute, PICU, rehabilitation, low secure forensic, and older adults. The post holder will work closely with the Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists to provide ward, gym and community based exercise opportunities and interventions. There is a requirement to travel between ward sites and community venues and to be able to work autonomously to ensure the safety of all our service users and staff. We know physical activity is a vital part of recovery for people with complex mental health problems, so we are looking for an inspiring member of staff, who can work well with the multidisciplinary team, that can champion exercise delivery for our service users.

Responsibilities

• To undertake assessment of service users (within departmental guidelines) regarding their suitability to participate in exercise sessions.
• To plan, teach, implement, and review individual and group exercise programmes, and sports sessions to promote/improve physical and mental wellbeing in both gym and community settings.
• To complete service user records and other required documentation.
• To maintain, repair and ensure correct and safe functioning of all gymnasium/sports equipment, including organising outside repairs and warranties.
• To deliver exercise/fitness programmes and sports sessions independently of a qualified physiotherapist to individuals or groups within inpatient wards and review these programmes.
• To promote physical and mental well‑being by running exercise groups autonomously in an environment that requires skills of adaptability and initiative, working with an often unpredictable and challenging service user group.
• To undertake day to day assessment of service users' mental health and physical levels of function and capacity to undertake activities in liaison with other therapy staff and ward staff and modify exercise programmes appropriately.
• To recognise when service users have achieved their goals and to review and redesign programmes in consultation with the service user.
• To recognise when service users should stop exercising due to safety or health reasons and liaise with the physiotherapist or ward doctor as is appropriate.
• To supervise occupational therapists, support workers/assistants who may assist with exercise groups.
• When required, to continue a treatment plan set for service users following assessment by a qualified physiotherapist, according to agreed plans.
• To liaise with other Allied Health Professionals in the planning of therapeutic programmes for service users and on occasion work jointly on some of the groups planned (e.g. health awareness).
• To attend and contribute to department handovers and feedback sessions regarding the progress of service users.
• To communicate with patients and carers who frequently have barriers to understanding e.g. complex mental health problems, to maximise rehabilitation potential.
• To have expert verbal and non‑verbal communication skills of motivation, explanation and reassurance to gain cooperation of service users in undertaking fitness sessions.
• To keep abreast of services/facilities available in the community to refer service users on or signpost on discharge.
• To have excellent communication skills regarding liaising with other members of the multidisciplinary team, communicating sensitive or confidential information, when divulged by a service user when indicated.
• To induct ward staff and other therapy staff into the safe use of gym equipment in line with local operating procedures and processes.
• To be an active member of the in‑service training programme by the attendance and delivery of training sessions.
• To maintain job‑related competencies through lifelong learning, continual professional development (CPD) and attendance on relevant external courses and incorporate evidence‑based practice.
• To participate in annual Performance Development Review (PDR) and produce work related objectives.
• To demonstrate an understanding of Clinical Governance, and equal opportunities polices, Risk Management and apply to work situations.
• To participate in research trials and audit as service requires.
• To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives and carers related to the treatment plan.
• To provide therapeutic interventions in working conditions which are frequently hazardous e.g. verbally and physically aggressive persons and exposure to body fluids.
• To undertake moving and handling of gym equipment and other objects (e.g. furniture, to create space for group work) utilising moderate physical effort within clinical and non‑clinical settings.
• To work with service users, carers, relatives who often have distressing or challenging social/clinical circumstances/behaviours.
• To be responsible for the management and prioritisation of own workload.
• To participate in induction and training of therapy assistants and other inpatient staff.
• To promote the understanding of the role of fitness and exercise to therapy students and other health and social care staff.
• To contribute to discussions on service and policy development and provide comments on proposals.
• To monitor and order stock and maintain equipment.
• To be responsible for gym/sports equipment used in carrying out duties and to adhere to departmental policy ensuring competence in use.
• To organise and plan appropriate venues for the provision of group activities taking into account service users physical and mental capabilities.
• To maintain accurate, comprehensive and up‑to‑date clinical and non‑clinical documentation in line with legal and team/service requirements.
• To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the team/service.
• To be responsible for Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement any policies, which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including your prompt recording and reporting of accidents and incidents to senior staff and ensuring that equipment use is safe.
• To contribute to the completion of risk assessments.
• To comply with the organisational and departmental policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate.
• To undertake any other duties that might be considered appropriate by the Chief/Director of AHP/Therapy Services after negotiation and adequate training.

Qualifications and Skills

The role requires a strong commitment to the health and well‑being of complex mental health service users, excellent verbal and non‑verbal communication skills, ability to work autonomously, and proficiency in exercise prescription and rehabilitation. Candidates should demonstrate a clear understanding of clinical governance, risk management, equal opportunities policies, and occupational health and safety practices. Lifelong learning, CPD engagement and evidence‑based practice are essential.

Equality and Inclusion

We are a Disability Confident employer. We offer a guaranteed interview to disabled applicants who meet all of the essential criteria for a role. We welcome applications from people with a wide range of life experience and whose diversity echoes the diversity of Sheffield, that of the people who use our services, and that of the people who may need to use our services but face barriers to access.