Community Respiratory Team - Health and Fitness Assistant

Job Overview

We are offering a fantastic opportunity for a Health and Fitness Assistant to join our Community Respiratory Team on a part-time basis based at Stoke Health Centre.

The Community Respiratory Team provides high quality rehabilitation in both an outpatient setting and in the client’s homes for those with a wide range of respiratory conditions as well as other related conditions and co-morbidities.

You will be working with the multi-disciplinary team to implement physical activity, intervention plans and other activities which promote service user health and wellbeing.

You will offer supportive advice in line with the principles of lifestyle coaching to service users who may not be able to access the gym/sports hall or who may not be involved in specific therapies for physical fitness, through choice or restrictions and to assist them in maintaining their fitness.

You will support service user(s) to attend the gym to manage their fitness and physical health by offering advice/guidance for:

• Safe and most effective use of equipment in the gym
• Exercise planning
• Increasing self-efficacy and self-confidence in gym use

Support for preparation of community gym use

This role is for 30 hours per week, and we can offer some flexible working options.

You will be required to travel independently across a large geographical area and ideally hold a valid driving licence and have access to a car for work purposes

Main duties of the job

You will provide clinical and administrative support to the team and work jointly with qualified therapists to provide quality treatment for complex patients. You will also on occasion be expected to work autonomously within their scope of practice.

As part of this role, you will be expected to:

• Have excellent communication skills to communicate effectively with patients who have complex communication needs, as well as with the Multidisciplinary Team, wider NHS teams and any external agencies.
• Support the implementation of intervention/therapy programmes developed and agreed by qualified staff
• Liaise with community and voluntary services, signposting where appropriate
• Plan, deliver and evaluate delegated rehabilitation within clear protocols
• Deliver health promotion and self-management advice

Support in the completion of patient records, ordering equipment and data cleansing

You Will Have

• Excellent communication skills
• NVQ level II in Sports Instructor/ Fitness qualification or willingness to complete training or the equivalent level of knowledge and skills acquired through experience
• GCSE Grade C or above in English & Maths, equivalent or actively working towards
• Demonstrable IT Skills
• Demonstrable previous experience working in Therapies in the NHS / Private sector
  
  

Working for our organisation

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are ‘United in our Uniqueness’ and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

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

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

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

To find out more information regarding this role please see attached the Job Description and Person Specification

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential criteria

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

Desirable criteria

• BSc in sports science
  
  

Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience of working as part of a team and delivering a customer focused service
• 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

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working with people with Long term Conditions and chronic health needs and supporting their physical health/fitness as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of being a service user or carer
  
  

Skills, Knowledge & Capability

Essential criteria

• Understanding of the role of Allied Health professionals in delivering physical health care in a community setting
• Knowledge and skills around physical health promotion/ ability to offer lifestyle advice based on UK guidelines
• Ability to deliver a suitable exercise/ fitness programme as part of a physical health care plan
• Ability to participate in delivering group sport safely
• Skills in literacy, written, verbal and an ability to effectively use electronic information and computer technology
• Skills in managing situations of high expressed emotions, and an ability to manage one’s own emotional state
• Physical & emotional stamina to deal with sensitive and difficult situations
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of the concept of rehabilitation/recovery within the clinical area
• Basic knowledge of the principles of Clinical Governance
• Awareness of Health & Safety legislation & practices