Fitness Instructor

To provide a service to challenging and vulnerable service users with complex mental health problems on acute adult inpatient mental health wards and a Low Secure Hospital.
- 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 organizing outside repairs and warranties etc and planning for new equipment.
- To deliver exercise/fitness programmes and sports sessions independently of a qualified physiotherapist to individuals or groups within acute 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.

Behaviours and Values
1. RESPECT

We listen to others, valuing their views and contributions
1. FAIRNESS

We ensure equal access to opportunity, support and services

**This means**:
1. COMPASSION

We show empathy and kindness to others so they feel supported, understood and safe.
1. AMBITION

We are committed to making a difference and helping to fulfil aspirations and hopes of our service users and staff
1. ACCOUNTABILITY

We are open and transparent, acting with honesty and integrity, accepting responsibility for outcomes

1. PARTERSHIP

We engage with others on the basis of equality and collaboration

I share my knowledge and skills and offer practical support to others

Main duties/responsibilities

Clinical
- To deliver exercise/fitness programmes and sports sessions independently of a qualified physiotherapist to individuals or groups within acute 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 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 as set out in the Out of Hours policy.
- Be an active member of the in-service training programme by the attendance and delivery of training sessions.
- To maintain job related competencies through life long learning, continual professional development and attendance on relevant external courses and incorporate evidence based practice.
- To participate in annual Performance Development Review and produce work related obje