Band 4 - Exercise Specialist - Secure Services, Bristol

Job summary

We are looking for a motivated and flexible Exercise Specialist who will work as part of our Secure Services Exercise Specialist team, working with our medium and low secure units in Bristol. This is a unique setting, where you will address and improve the physical fitness and general health and well-being of service users in these in-patient mental health units.

You will be a highly motivated, organised individual with experience and expertise in exercise prescription and supervision. This is an excellent opportunity to be able to put your knowledge and skills into practice to work with groups and individuals to plan, organise and deliver physical fitness, exercise and health promotion activities. One of the key challenges of this role is working with varying levels of motivation and ability, will need to be able to enthuse and engage individuals in different and creative ways.

Main duties of the job

Clinical:

• To carry out pre-exercise readiness screening and appropriate physical assessment, to include management of risk and identifying contraindications to physical activity and exercise.
• To design, implement, monitor and adapt physical activity and exercise programmes, on an individual and group basis, as appropriate. Observing and monitoring progress and making adjustments to interventions.
• To promote, participate and create resources for health promotions and campaigns.
• To demonstrate safe moving and handling of gym, and other equipment.
• To conduct pre-exercise screens and physical assessments within the parameters of own competency and scope of practice, and referring to more experienced or suitably qualified staff for guidance and support.
• Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, carry out specific rehab programmes for a condition or injury.
• To assess the safety and appropriateness of physical activity for service users through carrying out a pre-exercise health questionnaire; review of medical notes/physical observations; review of the risk summary of service users and understanding any restrictions in place under the Mental Health Act, as well as being aware of contraindications and precautions for exercise.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust)a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Details

Date posted

10 October 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-SEC100-1025

Job locations

Blackberry Hill Hospital

Manor Road

Bristol

BS16 1ED