About this role
Job summary
The Physiotherapy Service is looking for an experienced exercise professional / personal trainer / rehabilitation instructor to join our Cancer Rehabilitation team. This post will support one to one and group exercise and rehabilitation of Outpatient Oncology patients within our REACT Service (Rehabilitation and Exercise during Addenbrooke's Cancer Treatment).
You will play a vital part in supporting patients through the delivery of tailored exercise interventions. There is a varied and rewarding workload where the focus is on empowering patients to improve their strength, function, and quality of life. The role is based within our large outpatient physiotherapy department with a team of friendly, experienced physiotherapists in a range of musculoskeletal specialties.
You should have proven knowledge and skills in exercise therapy outside of the NHS and have a passion for improving the quality of life of patients experiencing a variety of Oncology related conditions.
The role is ideally suited to those keen to expand and develop their expertise in the growing field of Cancer Rehabilitation and has the potential to be a development role for those considering a future in physiotherapy but is not suitable for qualified Physiotherapists.
Main duties of the job
The REACT (Rehabilitation and Exercise during Addenbrooke's Cancer Treatment) service is an innovative service to promote health and well-being in Cancer (Oncology) patients.
To assist in Physiotherapy and other Ward / department related duties as directed by, and under the supervision of a State Registered Physiotherapist. Providing a high standard of assistance to physiotherapy staff in Musculoskeletal and Oncology Outpatient and Inpatient Services.
Provide individual and group based exercise interventions for people living with and beyond Cancer.
Work alongside Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist Physiotherapists to develop the REACT programme pathway across the Trust.
About us
Our Trust
Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) NHS Foundation Trust comprises Addenbrooke's Hospital and the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge. With over 13,000 staff and over 1100 beds the priorities of the Trust focus on a quality service which is all about people - patients, staff and partners. Recognised as providing 'outstanding' care to our patients and rated 'Good' overall by the Care Quality Commissioner, is testament to the skill and dedication of the people who work here. CUH's values - Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent - are at the heart of patient care, defining the way all staff work and behave. The Trust provides accessible high-quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge, together with specialist services, dealing with rare or complex conditions for a regional, national and international population.
CUH is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where we can all be ourselves. We value our differences and fully advocate and support an inclusive working environment where every individual can fulfil their potential. We want to ensure our people are truly representative of all the communities that we serve. We welcome applications for all positions in the organisation irrespective of people's age, disability, ethnicity, race, nationality, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity status or social economic background.
Job description Job responsibilities
You will be strongly supported in learning new skills and gaining additional training and will likely contribute to team development and redesign of the REACT programme as our Cancer Services plan and prepare to move into the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital in the next 5 years. https://www.cambridgecancer.org.uk/
Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.
All appointments with a start date on or after 1 October will be subject to a 12-week probationary period. This provides a structured and supportive period to help you settle into your role, with regular reviews and feedback.
Due to Home Office immigration rules, a full time permanent vacancy cannot be filled by individuals on a Student visa. Therefore, please be advised that if you are a Student visa holder, we will not be able to offer you a full time permanent contract unless you have:
applied for a Graduate visa or you will have successfully completed your course and have applied for a Graduate visa before the anticipated start date of your employment All roles in the Trust include a mandatory 12-week training period. Therefore successful candidates are expected to have the Right to Work for a period of at least 6 months from the proposed start date. Immigration and Right to Work status will be discussed with successful candidates at conditional offer. CUH will not offer sponsorship to candidates that have applied for a fee waiver.
The advert will close at midnight on 14 September 2026.
Interviews are due to be held on 22 October 2026.
Benefits to you
At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on-site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.
On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose-created colleague-only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.
CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work-life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part-time working, job-share, term-time working and flexible start and finish times.
Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.
We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Good general education to GCSE or equivalent, including evidence of literacy and numeracy skills Relevant sport or exercise qualifications such as Level 3 Gym Instructor, Level 3 personal trainer qualification, Level 3 GP Exercise Referral certificate or BACR
Desirable
Member of the Register of Exercise Professionals Level 4 Cancer Rehabilitation trained Certified Exercise Physiologist Degree in Sports Science or equivalent sports related degree Trained Yoga or Pilates instructor
Experience Essential
General experience in dealing with members of the public Previous experience training / supervising others Previous experience as an exercise practitioner / instructor / personal trainer, including screening / assessment and design / delivery of individual exercise therapy to patients / clients Experience of coaching / leading group sports / exercise activities with service users of differing abilities in a clinical area / gym and group environment with no immediate supervision Previous experience of modifying exercise and rehabilitation programmes to those with existing medical conditions
Desirable
Previous Physiotherapy Assistant experience in the NHS Experience in a healthcare environment Exposure to delivering interventions remotely, i.e. by video platform or by phone Experience with oncology patients Experience of working on a GP Exercise Referral scheme Experience working in the sports and fitness industry Experience of assessing and advising on healthy lifestyle issues Experience using Motivational Interviewing in people with long term conditions
Knowledge Essential
Awareness / knowledge of Allied Health professional roles such as Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists An understanding of commonly encountered medical conditions Knowledge of the contra-indications to exercise Awareness of the role of physical activity in the ongoing care of long-term conditions and exercise prescription An understanding of commonly encountered medical conditions Knowledge of the contra-indications to exercise An understanding of commonly encountered medical conditions
Desirable
Knowledge of the physical and psychological impact of Cancer and its treatment Knowledge of how cancer patients can benefit from exercise
Skills Essential
Ability to deal with patients unsupervised (individual and group) Able to implement individual treatment plans Ability to utilise treatment adjuncts such as hydrotherapy and large gym-equipment Ability to present information to a group or 1:1 setting using communication styles to support behaviour change Able to maintain own caseload of patients with complex conditions requiring technical proficiency / knowledge, as delegated by the Physiotherapist, and prioritise appropriately in order to meet deadlines Able to demonstrate empathy, motivate and persuade patients with impaired cognitive abilities or physical senses Recognises boundaries of own responsibilities Applies practical approach to problem solving Committed to personal and team development Administrative and IT skills
Desirable
Willing to take on responsibility and coordination role Evidence of being self-motivated and enthusiastically endorse a physically active lifestyle Self-directed learning
Additional Requirements Essential
The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent. Knowledge of how illness / disability can affect someone both mentally and physically Ability to work in a clinical setting with severely ill patients Physically fit and able to comply with Trust Manual Handling Guidelines
Desirable
Ability to work at moderate to high levels of physical activity involving the demonstration of exercise for a significant portion of the day, i.e. directing numerous exercise classes a day and demonstrating exercise on technical gym equipment
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Addenbrookes Hospital-Division B
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 0QQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cuh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)