Physical Activity Specialist

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Torquay; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust recruiting a Physical Activity Specialist for Tier 3 weight management in Torquay. Part-time role (18.75 hours weekly) within a multi-disciplinary team to support obesity treatment and lifestyle change.

The post involves delivering group and one-to-one activity sessions across community venues, assessing fitness, and contributing to care pathways within the Specialist Weight Management Service.

Qualifications

• Honours degree level in Exercise Sports Science or equivalent.
• Experience working with exercise/health-related fields.
• Experience in consultation, goal setting and supporting behaviour change.

Responsibilities

• Provide group and tailored physical activity support in Tier 3 weight management.
• Assess participants' fitness and performance before, during and after engagement.
• Develop and deliver physical activity education sessions for the Tier 3 programme.
• Feedback progress to the wider Level 3 multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

MS Office

Presentations

Teamwork

Behaviour change

Education

Honours degree in Exercise Sports Science

Job description

Main area Weight Management Grade NHS AfC: Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Part time - 18.75 hours per week (Hours covered over Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Job ref 388-8206202-FC&I

Site St Edmunds Town Torquay Salary £32,073 - £39,043 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 11/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

As a Physical Activity Specialist you will work within the Tier 3 Specialist Weight Management Multi-Disciplinary Team to provide specialist physical activity and behaviour change support to patients living with obesity, helping them to access a programme of specialised, non-surgical treatment and support.

The role involves supporting individuals on a one-to-one basis or in small groups, to develop sustainable lifestyle changes in order to achieve and maintain weight loss, reduce co-morbidities and increase quality of life by addressing all factors associated with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including psychosocial functioning . This includes using specific approaches and skills to support behaviour change along with signposting and supporting access to appropriate services.

The role involves working within a range of clinical and community venues across Torbay and South Devon

Main duties of the job

• To provide group and tailored physical activity support to individuals attending Tier 3 Specialist Weight Management programmes in a variety of community venues across both Torbay and South Devon.
• To assess participants level of fitness and physical performance prior to, during and at the end of their engagement with the Tier 3 service.
• To develop and deliver a range of physical activity education sessions within the Tier 3 group programme.
• To regularly feedback and discuss the progress of individual patients with the wider Level 3 multi-disciplinary team.

The Specialist Weight Management Service is commissioned to provide a Tier 3 weight management programme to eligible residents within the geographical boundaries of Torbay and South Devon. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust serves a 250,000 population with a large District General Hospital at its heart

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• For full list of duties, please see job description.
• Undertake fitness and physical performance assessments of overweight and obese patients who have already been medically screened to exclude underlying pathologies, assessing readiness to engage in physical activity and assessing functional fitness capacity.
• Develop and supervise personalised physical activity and training programmes, specifically targeted for the management of patients living with obesity and/or diabetes.
• Identify and address barriers to physical activity. This may include motivational, accessibility, financial issues or concerns about safety to exercise in the context of their health problems.
• Reinforce psychological strategies employed within the group programme when working with patients, using coaching skills and strategies.
• To deliver group-based exercise sessions as part of the multi-component weight management programme, providing support and encouragement for patients to achieve their personal physical activity goals.
• To provide 1-2-1 physical activity support enabling those patients for whom a group-based weight management programme would be inappropriate.

Qualifications

• Educated to honours degree level in Exercise Sports Science or equivalent professional experience

Knowledge

• Substantial experience of working with clients in an exercise or leisure industry
• Experience of working with people with physical and/or mental health problems including low motivation, anxiety and low self esteem
• Experience in consultation, goal setting and supporting behaviour change

Skills

• Experience of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email
• Experience of delivering presentations to groups
• Proven experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team

You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.