Physical Activities Specialist – Weight Management – Cambridge and Peterborough

Full time, Part time and Bank work available

An exciting opportunity is available for an enthusiastic, dynamic and motivated, Bank Physical Activity Specialist ideally with a level 3 fitness instructor qualification, experience and a special interest in health promotion within specialised population groups.  

Working within our Weight Management Team alongside Nutritionists you will support delivery of the Everyone ‘Your Shape’ Tier-2 adult weight management service throughout Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.  The ideal candidate(s) will need to be open to travel and support teams throughout the county as required.

The successful candidate will have:

  • Sound knowledge of prescribing exercise and advising on physical activity to special populations specifically obesity as well as at population / community level. 
  • Knowledge of specific physical activity and exercise requirements for delivering appropriate weight management programmes for adults.
  • Minimum of two years’ experience working in a physical activity setting.
  • Experience of working with both adults in a one-to-one and group environment, to support positive lifestyle change.
  • Degree or Diploma in relevant subject area, or equivalent knowledge and experience gained through working in a specialised physical activity role. REPs Level 3 Registration (REPS Level 4 desirable) and/or Member of CIMSPA at Practitioner level.

Is this role for you? Are you motivated, proactive, and passionate about supporting people live healthier lives? Would you like to work as part of a dynamic, fast-paced, knowledgeable team, working closely with community organisations? Are you enthusiastic and are you able to motive others into changing their lives for the better? If so, we would like to have you on our team.  

To apply:  For more information and to download the job description please visit our website

http://www.everyonehealth.co.uk/aboutus/employmentopportunities/ and email your CV and supporting statement to [email protected] and [email protected]

Closing date: Thursday 10th February 2022

Please note: Interviews are to be held remotely Wednesday 16th February 2022

We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Everyone Health is an equal opportunities employer and an Investors in People organisation, who is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults.  All applicants will be required to undertake checks and references prior to appointment.

JOB DESCRIPTION

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SPECIALIST – WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

MAIN PURPOSE

To provide a key role as a Physical Activity Specialist within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Lifestyle service primarily supporting delivery of the Everyone ‘Your Shape’ Tier-2 adult weight management service. This multi-component service will provide prevention and early intervention services, specifically targeting those at high risk of obesity.  This post will:

  • In line with NICE guidance, be responsible and accountable for the delivery of a high quality, evidence-based physical activity and prescribed exercise service for adults, for those seeking weight loss interventions within the Tier 2 Weight Management Service.
  • Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), provide specialist prescribed exercise and support (1-2-1 and group) across Tier 2 regarding the benefits of, and opportunities to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase habitual levels of physical activity, to ensure excellent patient healthcare and contractual outcomes.
  • Play a pivotal role within an innovative, forward thinking and dynamic multi-disciplinary team and integrated service in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.  
  • To support the physical activity element of the School Time Obesity Prevention (STOP) programme.  

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES  

Responsible and accountable for: 

  • To plan, organise, deliver and evaluate the physical activity and prescribed exercise element of the Tier 2 Adult Weight Management Programme
  • Provide comprehensive assessment and provision of individual physical activity advice and exercise prescription, together with on-going support to patients, in group and 1-2-1 settings implementing skills and knowledge of behaviour change theories.
  • Ensure exercise prescription is continually monitored and progressed / regressed, to reflect individual needs. 
  • Support the physical activity development, delivery, evaluation and quality assurance of the integrated service and provide key physical activity expertise to the MDT and other colleagues within the service, ensuring excellent service delivery. 
  • Facilitate and empower patients to change behaviour and adopt positive lifestyle changes by providing health education and evidence-based advice regarding increasing habitual physical activity, helping patients to address barriers to change.
  • To conduct on-going specialist physical activity support for those accessing the service including patient reviews and on-going case management, through 1-2-1 support where required, or support delivery of group sessions, for those who require this level of intervention. 
  • Contribute to ‘board meetings’ to discuss caseloads, care plans, case management and specific patient care including discharge planning, on-going management in conjunction with other relevant professionals.
  • Accountable for ensuring programme delivery is monitored using validated tools to collect and analyse patient performance outcome measures and evaluation, to ensure that the contractual KPI’s are achieved and an excellent service is demonstrated; critical and rigorous implementation of all physical activity and functional capacity measures at key milestones across the services, ensuring excellent recording, monitoring and reporting on patient outcomes.
  • Utilising the Everyone Health data collection system and internal reporting procedures to ensure rigorous data collection processes are robust, to evidence service efficacy through generation of excellent health outcome data, contributing to an internal qualitative and quantitative evidence base, and demonstrate best practice and value for money.
  • Keep accurate records and written reports, ensuring patient personal information is recorded in accordance with Everyone Health’s and Local Authority policies; Caldicott Guardian, Information Governance, Data Protection and Data Sharing compliance.
  • Work with the Clinical Governance manager to achieve continual service improvement and client/patient-centred services in accordance with participant feedback, NICE guidance, national and local recommendations, professional competences and SLM policies and procedures. 
  • Be compliant with all relevant policies, procedures and guidelines; including the appropriate code(s) of conduct associated with this post; maintain awareness of safeguarding issues, report and acting on concerns in accordance with Everyone Health and Local Authority policies and procedures. 
  • Ensure the safety of all patients by undertaking: risk assessments, health and safety checks, equipment checks etc., as directed by the Weight Management Coordinator and Service Manager.  Respond to any relevant clinical / colleague issues / incidences to manage a mitigate risk, and maintain best practice. 
  • To have sound knowledge of common co-morbidities associated with obesity and the ability to liaise with the GP and other health professionals / agencies as necessary. 
  • Work as a cohesive member of the team through regular communication and liaise with community partners and referrers to ensure the successful recruitment and retention of patients within the service, supporting integration and shared learning across the 3 Tiers.
  • To be responsible and accountable for achievement of relevant contractual targets including referrals, uptake, completion percentage targets and effective outcome measures, through delivery of high standard nutritional care. 
  • Support community engagement: build a network of key contacts and undertake networking publicity and promotional activity to raise the profile of the service and to identify and engage with target populations.
  • Respect colleague’s professional roles and scope of practice, ensuring a supportive and proactive member of the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Take responsibility for own CPD and participate in Everyone Health’s induction, training and continual professional development as required; recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by professional body. 
  • Evaluate patients’ response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care. 
  • To work within the requirements of the 6 C’s: care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment.
  • Ensure that commitment to equality and diversity is reflected at all stages of project planning, delivery and evaluation, in line with agreed service standards. 
  • Support in administrative duties related to the patients where necessary, for example letters to referrers, follow up phone calls, motivational text messages as required. 
  • Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes high quality.
  • Be an ambassador for Everyone Health, promoting the Lifestyles and Weight Management Service to members of the public and other stakeholders/ partners, where appropriate. 
  • Contribute to the growth of Everyone Health by working collaboratively with Managers / colleagues to develop and have some responsibility for an expanding portfolio of services and products.

PERSON SPECIFICATION 1. SKILLS & ABILITIES 

  • Ability to direct and co-ordinate programmes of care working autonomously and collaboratively.
  • Ability to produce individual and detailed exercise programmes, considering special adaptations required to accommodate an overweight and obese patient for appropriate physical activity / exercise prescription.  
  • Ability to translate physical activity and exercise information into a format that is appropriate and understandable for patients to support compliance with increased levels of physical activity and reduced sedentary behaviour, for habitual behaviour change.   
  • A commitment to continuous service improvement with expert insight into patients’ needs, so that all patients receive high quality care.
  • Passionate about putting patients first and delivering a high quality service.
  • Proven ability to relate, motivate and confidently engage individuals in activities and discussion as part of a group and in a 1-2-1 situations.
  • Ability to work independently and manage own work load; able to work effectively and supportively as a MDT member.
  • Sound interpersonal skills with proven ability to work effectively with all levels of colleagues, including effective partnerships with other agencies and service providers.
  • Evidence of experience in embracing and implementing change to provide high quality health outcomes.
  • Good presentation of self: enthusiastic, innovative and flexible.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals including participants, colleagues and external partners.
  • Proven planning, organisational and evaluation skills.
  • Ability to organise, monitor and check work to ensure no element of a task is left unfinished. 
  • Ability to use generic software packages.

2. KNOWLEDGE 

  • Sound knowledge of prescribing exercise and advising on physical activity to special populations specifically obesity (including pre/post pregnancy) as well as at population / community level. 
  • Sound knowledge of the complex care of the obese and morbidly obese patient.
  • Knowledge of specific physical activity and exercise requirements for delivering appropriate weight management programmes for adults and children
  • Knowledge of behavioural and emotional development issues.
  • Knowledge of stigma associated with obesity and effects on social and emotional well-being.
  • Knowledge of weight management, nutrition and physical activity in relation to health improvement.
  • Knowledge of psychological and behaviour change theoretical techniques in relation to supporting people to make positive lifestyle changes.
  • Knowledge of NICE guidance relating to the treatment of obesity. 
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Patient Confidentiality Act and the Data Protection Act.

3. EXPERIENCE 

  • Minimum of two years’ experience working in an exercise setting
  • Experience of working with both adults in a one-to-one and group environment, to support positive lifestyle change.
  • Experience of delivering and prescribing exercise to those with co-morbidities and / or complex needs.
  • Experience of taking accurate physical measures and contributing to helping individuals meet physical activity/exercise targets
  • Experience of working with patients within a weight management service.
  • Experience of working effectively as part of a MDT /team.
  • Experience of working with patients of different cultures, genders and ages.
  • Experience of working to time schedules.
  • Evidence of experience in embracing and implementing change to provide high quality health outcomes. 
  • Experience of working to challenging performance targets and achieving excellent outcomes. 

4. QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Degree or Diploma in relevant subject area, or equivalent knowledge and experience gained through working in a specialised physical activity role.
  • REPs Level 3 Registration (REPS Level 4 desirable) and/or Member of CIMSPA at Practitioner level
  • Prenatal/postnatal exercise qualification (desirable)

5. SPECIAL CONDITIONS 

  • Highly motivated self-starter with resilience, determination and the ability to see jobs through to completion.
  • Role incorporates evening / weekend working, with variable levels of travel across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough working in a variety of settings including the community, youth and community centres. ▪ Ability to travel across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Access to a car for work.
  • Evidence of a personal commitment to continuing professional development and to maintaining an up-to-date professional knowledge supporting the development of business within the company.
  • This post involves working with children / young people / vulnerable adults and as such the post holder will be required to apply for a disclosure of criminal records at an enhanced level (DBS).

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