Health and Fitness Assistant

NHS; Stafford; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

A regional health organization in Stafford is seeking a Health and Fitness Assistant to support mental health service users. The role involves collaboration with health professionals and providing exercise interventions. Candidates should have a level 3 gym instructor qualification and a passion for promoting health and well-being in a secure setting of care. This position offers a fixed-term contract with opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible working options

Health and Wellbeing support

Free flu vaccinations

Salary sacrifice schemes for cars and bikes

Qualifications

• Level 3 personal trainer/advanced gym instructor qualification.
• Experience in health or social care settings.
• Understanding of physical and mental health care.

Responsibilities

• Implement physical activity intervention plans under supervision.
• Devise safe exercise sessions.
• Provide feedback on interventions.
• Work collaboratively with trust services.

Skills

Teamwork

Customer-focused service

Self-motivation

Knowledge of mental health

Education

Level 3 qualification in Gym Instruction

BSc in sports science

English and Maths GCSE or equivalent

Job description

Health and Fitness Assistant

Go back Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 17 October 2025

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Please note that your application may be withdrawn if it is identified that visa sponsorship is required to undertake this role.

We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified level 3 Gym Instructor to work as a Health and Fitness assistant within forensic services in Stafford and Shrewsbury as part of an established physical health team.

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual to join the existing team on a fixed term 6 month contract. The successful applicant will work closely with a range of professionals including a dietician, physiotherapists and other health and fitness professionals in the provision of physical activity, exercise, health promotion activities and interventions to service users across the inpatient forensic wards.

The applicant will have a level 3 personal trainer/advanced gym instructor qualification, have a keen interest in working with people with mental health problems, supporting them to engage in physical activity and in promoting all aspects of health and well-being.

You will be working in a friendly, supportive and challenging working environment which will provide excellent opportunities to work alongside other health professionals who will support you in your role and can help with your ongoing personal development.

If you are interested in the post or would like any further information, please contact us via the contact details given.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work under the clinical supervision from Allied Health Professionals with support from the Health and Fitness Practitioner to implement physical activity intervention plans and other activities which promote service user health and wellbeing.

The post holder will be responsible for devising safe exercise/fitness sessions with support from the Health and Fitness Practitioner and supervision from Allied Health Professionals.

The post holder will be responsible for providing timely and accurate written and verbal feedback for all interventions as part of an overall physical health plan.

The post-holder is responsible for working collaboratively with other Trust services to provide seamless mental health care for service users within secure inpatient mental health services and seeking supervision to ensure understanding of occupational performance, communication and impact of the mental illness upon the service user.

To provide practical support, spend therapeutic time, including, using prescribed exercises to maintain / improve the physical wellbeing of an allocated group of service users with mental health needs within a secure setting.

To promote service user's recovery through the delivery of high quality, outcome measured care and evidence-based interventions.

To assist Allied Health Professionals in the implementation and evaluation of individualized care plans.

About us

By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;

• Supporting your career development and progression
• Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Options for flexible working
• Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days)
• Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
• If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
• Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
• Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
• Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
• Free car parking at all trust sites
• Free flu vaccinations every year
• Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)

We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Job responsibilities

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification document attached, for further details on this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Sports Instructor/ Fitness qualification at Level 2 or willingness to complete training.
• English and Maths GCSE or equivalent.
• Quality credit framework qualification at level 3 e.g NVQ or OCN which is transferable into the role.
• BSc in sports science.

Experience

• Experience of working as part of a team and delivering a customer focused service.
• Understanding of the role of Allied Health professionals in delivering physical and mental health care in a secure setting.
• Relevant experience working within health, social care settings which provides transferable knowledge and skills.
• Basic knowledge of some conditions relevant to the clinical area and the effects of illness on function.
• Self-motivation for Continued Professional Development.
• Ability to be part of planning and delivering a group.

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

Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Hatherton Centre, St George's Hospital

The Hatherton Centre, St George's Hospital