Fitness Careers

OVERVIEW
An ‘Exercise Referral Consultant’ is an extremely rewarding role because you have the unique privilege and opportunity to positively impact upon the health of people who need it most. Usually clients involved in exercise referral schemes (typically referred to as patients) will suffer from severe and chronic illness such as heart disease; consequently they are likely to have had some pretty serious symptoms. Many of the clients you would be required to work with would be on a cocktail of medications, as such you will need to know exactly how these medications will impact upon any exercise or activity you choose to prescribe.

Working in collaboration with GP’s, cardiac specialists and other health care professionals, your task as an Exercise Referral Consultant would be to improve the quality of life for your patients through exercise.

REQUIREMENTS
This position requires excellent communication skills, perhaps more than any other job in the fitness industry. Many of your clients / patients will lead a completely different lifestyle to yourself and so you will need to be empathetic, non-judgemental and professional.

As a minimum, to practice as an Exercise Referral Consultant, you would require a ‘Level 3 Exercise Referral’ qualification.

In addition to the above qualification, you will also need to have a good level of knowledge and experience in existing GP referral schemes, good IT skills and the ability to work as part of a team.

EMPLOYERS
Typically those involved in Exercise Referral schemes are employed by:

• NHS
• Local authorities
• Primary Care Trusts

In many circumstances, partnerships exist between all of the above to provide a more effective and cohesive ‘Exercise Referral’ service to patients.

PAY AND OPPORTUNITIES The pay ranges significantly between £16,000 and £30,000 depending on the type of scheme you are involved in, your experience and your qualifications. The past 5 years have seen a significant increase in the number of Exercise Referral posts advertised, however competition for these positions is high.