Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting for a part-time cardiac rehabilitation role at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. The post is advertised on NHS Jobs, pays £28,392 to £31,157 a year pro rata at Band 4, and applications close on 18 November 2026.

The role is for seven hours a week, working on Tuesdays from 3pm to 7pm and on Thursdays from 2.30pm to 5.30pm, supporting the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation classes. It is a permanent, part-time post within the trust's Cardiology Nurse Specialist Team, based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital on London Road in Reading.

What the role involves

The post holder will be an integral member of the Cardiology Nurse Specialist Team, helping people improve their heart condition through exercise and healthy living, and working to reduce the likelihood of further heart events. The work follows the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation standards and core components for cardiovascular disease prevention and rehabilitation.

A central part of the job is managing a caseload. The post holder will assess, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate exercise programmes for individual patients, taking account of their needs, other health conditions, psychological issues, and their beliefs and barriers around exercise. Risk stratification tests recommended by the association will be used to help patients exercise safely.

The role also involves taking and monitoring patients' vital signs, interpreting those measures, and changing treatment or seeking advice from other members of the multidisciplinary team when needed. The post holder will lead and deliver group cardiac rehabilitation sessions, respond to patients who may be suffering an acute coronary event or illness that needs urgent care, and educate patients, carers and families about the benefits of exercise, activity and a healthy lifestyle, both individually and in groups.

Working with the wider team

The post holder will work fully within the multidisciplinary team, referring patients to other cardiology team members, GPs, leisure centre exercise professionals and other agencies where appropriate. The role includes keeping accurate and evaluative records for the cardiac rehabilitation caseload using the trust's electronic patient record system, maintaining exercise equipment, and taking part in audit and evaluation projects, including the National Audit for Cardiac Rehabilitation.

Communication is a key part of the post. The successful candidate will need to share complex and sensitive information with patients, carers and staff where there may be barriers such as language differences, hearing impairment, memory loss or emotional distress, using interpreters and a range of verbal and non-verbal techniques to encourage healthy behaviour change.

Who can apply

Applicants need a qualification in exercise fitness, such as the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Exercise Instructor Training qualification, with current registration on the Register of Exercise Professionals. An NVQ level 3 in an exercise or health-related discipline is also essential, along with a basic computer course or equivalent experience.

Experience of working with patients with a cardiac condition, teamwork, excellent communication skills and cardiology experience are listed as essential. A degree in physiotherapy with Health and Care Professions Council registration, registration as a British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences certified exercise practitioner, and experience with older people or in gym and patient-facing exercise classes are listed as desirable. The post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Pay, hours and how to apply

The post is permanent and part time, at Band 4 under Agenda for Change, with a salary of £28,392 to £31,157 a year pro rata. The advert was posted on 4 November 2026 and carries the reference number 193-8395565UCGB4-CRECO. The job is based at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN.

Applications must be made through NHS Jobs before the closing date of 18 November 2026. The trust says its primary method of communication will be by email. Anyone needing additional help with an application can contact the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342. The trust supports flexible working wherever possible, with requests considered on an individual basis.