Physical Fitness Practitioner

The Methodist Church in Britain; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 27 days + 8 bank holidays

Pension scheme

Career progression opportunities

Learning and development

Lease car scheme

Cycle to work scheme

NHS discount

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Methodist Church in Britain is seeking a Physical Fitness Practitioner to work across two sites on a forensic mental health ward, Marlborough House and Woodlands House. The role focuses on assessing fitness needs, delivering individual and group programmes, and evaluating outcomes.

You'll travel between sites, hold a DBS check, and must have right to work in the UK. The post involves safeguarding responsibilities and collaboration with the MDT to improve patient health and fitness.

Qualifications

• Plan, develop and deliver health and fitness services in group settings or with individual patients.
• Run therapeutic activities suited to patients' needs and set service guidelines.
• Assess the physical fitness needs and strengths of a defined caseload.
• Provide evidence-based one-to-one and group interventions to improve physical fitness.
• Use risk assessment tools to engage patients safely in training programmes.
• Use outcome measures to judge intervention effectiveness and adapt interventions.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop and deliver health and fitness services in group settings or with individual patients.
• Run therapeutic activities suited to patients' needs and set service guidelines.
• Assess the physical fitness needs and strengths of a defined caseload.
• Provide evidence-based one-to-one and group interventions to improve physical fitness.
• Use risk assessment tools to engage patients safely in training programmes.
• Use outcome measures to judge intervention effectiveness and adapt interventions.

Skills

Level 2 gym instructor

Experience with obesity

Develop training programmes

Working with mental health patients

Education

Level 2 gym instructor qualification or equivalent

Job description

Physical fitness practitioner post on a forensic mental health ward split between two sites, Marlborough House and Woodlands House in Aylesbury, supported by a Lead PFP and a clinical occupational therapy lead. The work centres on assessing fitness needs across a caseload and delivering one-to-one and group programmes, measured against outcomes. The post covers medium and low secure forensic settings and requires independent travel between sites, a DBS check and existing right to work, as no visa sponsorship is offered.

What the job involves

• Plan, develop and deliver health and fitness services in group settings or with individual patients
• Run therapeutic activities suited to patients' needs and set service guidelines
• Assess the physical fitness needs and strengths of a defined caseload
• Provide evidence-based one-to-one and group interventions to improve physical fitness
• Use risk assessment tools to engage patients safely in training programmes
• Use outcome measures to judge intervention effectiveness and adapt interventions
• Support patients to link with community fitness opportunities
• Work with the MDT on interventions, referrals and clinical meetings about goals and progress
• Record care plans and clinical information on the electronic health record
• Handle confidential information on mental health, offending history, safeguarding and risk, including work with patients who have committed serious offences
• Support ward projects using physical health and fitness expertise
• Contribute to education on healthy lifestyles and smoking cessation

What’s required

Qualifications

• Level 2 gym instructor qualification or equivalent

Experience

• Working with people with obesity and a range of physical health problems or other specialist groups
• Developing training programmes for individuals
• Working with people with mental health needs

Checks & eligibility

• DBS check
• Valid right to work in the UK without sponsorship

Other

• Positive attitude to people with mental health issues
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to travel independently between sites within the Trust

Nice to have

• Qualifications in relevant fitness skills, including CIMSPA membership
• Experience delivering healthy living, smoking cessation and dietary advice or support
• Experience working with people with learning disabilities

What’s offered

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
• Competitive pension scheme
• Career progression opportunities
• Tailored individual and Trust-wide learning and development
• Lease car scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• NHS discount across shops, restaurants and retailers
• Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and staff support groups