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Job overview

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to be the first ever Clinical Exercise Therapist at Sussex Partnership NHS Trust. We are a Mental Health Trust and want to develop our physical health provision to the population we serve. We see introducing specialist exercise therapy as a key component in improving the physical and mental health of our servicer users.

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Clinical Exercise Therapist. You will be in possession of or working towards a degree or equivalent in related area (e.g. sports science, health studies, youth and community work), with recognised exercise teaching or coaching qualifications, for example Gym Instructor or GP Referral.

The successful candidate will have experience of designing individualised physical activity programmes and practical experience of delivering physical activity sessions for people with a range of health needs. Experience of working in a mental health or healthcare setting would be desirable.

You will join the already established physiotherapy team and work as part of a wider specialist multi-disciplinary team who care for people with mental ill-heath. The role covers in-patient adult wards across two sites (Swandean Hospital in Worthing and Oaklands Centre for Acute Care in Chichester). 

Please note that your CIMSPA registration is required for shortlisting.

Main duties of the job

You will support the planning, co-ordination and delivery of an extensive physical activity group programme. You will also provide targeted physical activity programmes for individuals with a range of mental health conditions and chronic physical health difficulties. In addition, you will be involved in health promotion activity focusing on the importance of maintaining a physically active lifestyle for improved health and wellbeing. You will also work to develop the signposting and referral of patients for physical activity/sports groups on discharge back into the community.

Candidates will need to have excellent communication, motivational and time management skills. They'll need to be energetic, flexible and creative in their approach to delivering physical activity health improvement programmes and have a keen interest in working with people with mental health needs. They must also have a proven ability to work effectively in a team, and effective communication and presentation skills.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

Working for our organisation

By joining our team, you will benefit from:

• Strong supportive teams with dedicated supportive leaders
• Excellent CPD opportunities
• A service that works to develop clear evidence-based care pathways

Sussex Partnership provides mental health and learning disability care for all age groups across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire.

We encourage flexible working. We know that a positive work/ life balance brings about huge health-related benefits, which has a positive impact on the care we provide. Please speak to us about flexible working, for example, part time hours, flexible start/ finish times or anything else. If it works for you and works for the role, we'll do our best to make it happen.

We’d love you to join our Trust, rated ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for caring by the CQC. Our staff agree, in our recent staff survey 82% told us that they recognise that care for patients is our top priority.

Other key survey results:

• 70% highlighting flexible working as a key point for satisfaction at work
• 79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work in their team
• 77% identifying opportunities to show initiative in their roles