Physical Activity For Health Officer

Description:

Job Summary

Mayo Local Sports Partnership (MLSP) supported by Sport Ireland has secured funding for the recruitment of a Physical Activity for Health Officer. Mayo has been selected as one of 6 Pilot Counties in the country for the delivery of the Physical Activity for Health Programme.

The Physical Activity for Health Officer will be based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

He/She will report to the Sports Co-Ordinator and work with the Co-Ordinator and staff of Mayo Local Sports Partnership.

The Physical Activity for Health pilot programme, funded by Sport Ireland and Sláintecare, will aim to address lower participation rates in physical activity as a risk factor for chronic conditions. These conditions are broadly defined as conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both. In Ireland, 49% of Irish people over 50 years have at least one long-term health condition. 65% of adults over 65 years have two or more long-term health conditions. A Physical Activity for Health Officer hosted in the Local Sports Partnership, will work in collaboration with Sláintecare, the HSE, the local authority and other key stakeholders to provide opportunities for those with chronic conditions to get active.

In total, six Physical Activity for Health Officers will pilot this programme in Local Sports Partnerships across the country. The programme of work may be revised based on the success of this pilot and the findings from the evaluation of the programme.


Job Purpose
The Physical Activity for Health Officer role will provide a service to those with a chronic condition who have left the healthcare system and wish to re-engage in physical activity and may need additional support before participating in a current Local Sports Partnership (LSP) programme. The role ensures that those who need more attention and care transferring back to community physical activity will be facilitated within these physical activity programmes and provided with support once they are ready for the mainstream LSP programmes that are on offer locally.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms hold/have: -

• QQI Level 8 in Health, Exercise Science, Physical Activity or related field.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience of working directly with groups and individuals who have lower participation rates in physical activity, through the assessment, design and delivery of physical activity-based interventions.
• Candidates must hold a clean, current Class B Driving Licence and will be required to have access to his/her own car.

DESIRABLE SKILLS
It is desirable that the successful candidate have:

• Further Education or Training relevant to the post in relation to physical activity, social integration/inclusion, chronic conditions & clinical exercise prescription.
• Accredited education or training in behaviour change approach (e.g. Motivational Interviewing).
• First Aid Training.
• Mental Health First Aid Training.
• Level 3 REPs registration or relevant equivalent (specify).
• British Association CPR (BACPR).
• Experience of facilitating physical activity and sports activities with people of different abilities and/or from vulnerable groups.
• Experience of assessing and advising on healthy lifestyle issues.
• Experience of working with individuals with chronic conditions and/or mental health conditions.
• An understanding of commonly encountered chronic health conditions.
• An understanding of chronic health services structure and management.
• The ability to design and apply Physical Activity interventions in both the individual and group setting.
• Experience in performing research in relevant settings.