Fitness Instructor

Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Sheffield is seeking a dedicated Fitness Instructor to enhance their service for individuals with complex mental health needs. This role involves delivering fitness programs and exercise sessions in various inpatient settings, ensuring patient safety, and working closely with a multidisciplinary team. Ideal candidates should have Gym/Fitness instructor qualifications to Level 3 and a minimum of two years' experience in a fitness environment, particularly with mental health service users. The position offers 30 hours per week with a supportive working environment focused on staff development.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' experience working within a fitness setting.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health conditions including dementia.
• Ability to manage own workload independently.

Responsibilities

• Deliver exercise and fitness programs to service users in inpatient settings.
• Assess suitability of service users for participation in exercise sessions.
• Supervise occupational therapists and support assistants in exercise groups.

Skills

Verbal and non-verbal communication

Ability to motivate individuals

Prioritization skills

Education

Gym/Fitness instructor qualifications to Level 3

Core literacy and numeracy skills

Job description

Fitness Instructor

The closing date is 02 January 2026

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. The post is working 30 hours per week.

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.

Main duties of the job

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 etc and planning for new equipment.

About us

We are passionate about providing the very best care to the people we support, and we're looking for amazing people who share this passion to join us.

What is it that makes our Trust such a special place to work? Well, it's all about the people. Our staff, service users, carers and families all come from such diverse backgrounds and all have expertise and stories to share.

It's important that you feel supported in your role, that the people who you work with are as passionate as you are and that your health and wellbeing is taken care of.

If you're interested in developing your career, you'll have access to a range of training and education opportunities, including apprenticeships, work experience and placements, as well as the chance to get involved in research.

We are very proud of the difference we make to people's lives each and every day and if that's something that you'd like to be part of we'd love to have you with us.

Job responsibilities

Clinical

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.

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.

Ability 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.

Induct ward staff and other therapy staff into the safe use of gym equipment in line with local operating procedures and processes.

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. This may involve bending, kneeling or frequent repetitive activities often in confined restricted places.

To work with service users, carers, relatives who often have distressing or challenging social/clinical circumstances/behaviours.

Organisational

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.

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.

Scope and Range

To work independently of qualified physiotherapy staff in acute mental health inpatient settings, to deliver exercise and fitness programmes.

Freedom to independently set and vary programmes and conduct assessments within agreed competencies/protocols.

Person Specification

knowledge and skills

• To be competent in applying the theory of fitness and practice to assess, implement and assist in fitness/gym programmes.
• Good verbal and non-verbal communicator with the ability to motivate people.
• To understand and practice confidentiality.
• To have developed coping strategies to deal with the emotional nature of the work
• To have prioritisation skills to independently manage own workload.
• To have had training in moving and handling skills.

Training and qualifications

• Evidence of formal education with achievement of core literacy and numeracy skills.
• Gym/Fitness instructor qualifications to Level 3.
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning via personal development file.
• Qualifications in delivering a variety of fitness sessions

Experience

• At least 2 years' experience of working within a fitness setting
• Able to demonstrate prioritisation skills and the ability to manage own workload independently
• Experience of liaising with other agencies, services, and professional colleagues
• To have worked as part of a team
• To have worked in the hospital/community setting
• To have worked with people with mental health conditions, including dementia.

Other

• oCar driver with daily access to a car (dependent on post location).

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.

Employer name

Sheffield Health Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust