A Kinesiologist is a professional who specializes in the study of human movement and applies that knowledge to improve individuals' physical health and well-being. They assess, analyze, and develop exercise programs tailored to the specific needs of their clients. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Kinesiologists.

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Main Responsibilities of a Kinesiologist

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Kinesiologist:

Adapt

Adapt exercise programs for different age groups and fitness levels.

Adhere to

Adhere to standards regarding the timeliness of reports.

Administer

Administer and interpret functional movement screens.

Assess

Assess clients' physical capabilities, limitations, and goals.

Assist in

• Assist athletes in improving their sports performance through specific training programs.

• Assist patients with exercises / rehab.

• Assist the treating clinician with return to work planning.

• Assist with follow up and thank you notes to our clients and professional associates.

• Assist with front desk appointment bookings and callbacks.

Attend

• Attend and be an active participant in clinic rounds.

• Attend and participate at team meetings and attend professional training seminars.

• Attend and participate in staff meetings.

Build

• Build, and inspire the next generation of competitive athletes, Calieight is for you.

• Build strong connections with clients from a variety of backgrounds.

Call

Call on neighboring family doctors and generate referrals.

Check

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Collaborate with

• ‪Collaborate with clinicians and therapists.

• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to develop integrated treatment plans.

• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.

Collaborative

Collaborative multidisciplinary team with internal and external referrals.

Communicate with

Communicate with and report to 3rd party funders.

Compile

Compile and prepare reports on patient's health status and assessment / test results.

Complete

• Complete FCE specific reports for various funders ie WorkSafe, ICBC, and LTD providers.

• Complete functional assessments.

• Complete functional components of reports for initial, progress and discharge.

• Complete other tasks as requested.

‪‪Complete

‪‪Complete reports for communication with insurers and clinicians.

Complete

• Complete submaximal and maximal aerobic tests.

• Complete work within expected periods of time.

Conduct

• Conduct comprehensive movement assessments and evaluations.

• Conduct ECG and stress tests including setting up electrodes / wires, blood pressure monitoring.

• Conduct fitness testing (flexibility and sit and reach tests).

• Conduct fitness testing to assess clients' strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness.

• Conduct group fitness classes and lead exercise sessions.

• Conduct group orientation and education lectures and regular one-on-one education to clients.

• Conduct group orientation and education sessions and ongoing one-on-one education to clients.

• Conduct health and wellness workshops and presentations.

• Conduct workplace assessments and analyze job demands and physical demands.

Confer

Confer professionally with medical personnel regarding abnormalities and results.

Consult

Consult clients about medical, movement, and musculoskeletal histories.

Coordinate

Coordinate with facilities and purchasing for maintenance of gym equipment and supplies.

Create

• Create and deliver presentations during lunch and learn events in neighboring businesses.

• Create and supervise individually prescribed exercise protocols.

• Create awesome experiences for our customers.

• Create future friendly® possibilities.

Demonstrate

Demonstrate prescribed exercises to patients and help guide them through new movement patterns.

Design

• Design and implement a therapeutic exercise program to meet the identified client needs.

• Design and implement therapeutic exercise programs to meet identified client needs.

Determine

Determine your ideal continuing education courses and certifications.

Develop

• Develop and communicate personalized treatment plans for each of your clients.

• Develop and implement individualized active rehabilitation programs.

• Develop and implement individualized training programs for all personal training clients.

• Develop education schedule and scheduling clients for appointments with other team members.

• Develop home exercise programs for clients upon discharge.

• Develop, maintain and support a hospital system-wide injury prevention program.

• Develop personalized exercise programs based on individual needs.

• Develop structured Gradual Return to Work (GRTW) plans.

Discharge

Discharge planning for patients, connecting patients with the resources in their community.

Discuss

• Discuss appropriate clinical treatment plans and how to keep patients committed to it.

• Discuss professionally with medical personnel regarding abnormalities and results.

Document

• Document and maintain accurate records of clients' progress and treatment plans.

• Document assessment results, goals, treatment, client progress and discharge plans.

• Document interactions and other pertinent information using web-based systems.

Educate

• Educate clients on injury prevention and safe exercise practices.

• Educate clients on the benefits of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.

• Educate clients, communicate goals and expectations to all team members and stakeholders.

Engage

Engage clients in motivational interviewing and behaviour change coaching.

Ensure

Ensure accuracy of all communication with co-workers, suppliers and doctor's offices.

Establish

Establish and implement evidence-based treatment plans.

Evaluate

• Evaluate and recommend appropriate exercise equipment and facilities.

• Evaluate client-site safety hazards to provide ergonomic solutions.

• Evaluate workplace ergonomics and provide recommendations for improvement.

Execute

Execute treatment plans as per physiotherapist's instructions (ex. bra assessment, compression.

Exercise

Exercise prescription for our patients.

Explain

Explain procedures to patients and answer testing related questions.

Facilitate

Facilitate, coordinate, and monitor workplace assessments and training-on-the-job opportunities.

Follow

Follow clinic business processes and workflows.

Get

Get help to build a full caseload and maintain it.

Greet

Greet individuals with a friendly and helpful demeanor and a smile.

Identify

• Identify and create solutions in a problem-solving environment.

• Identify clients requiring individualized attention and assist them in a one-on-one capacity.

Implement

Implement, monitor and progress exercise and work simulation programs.

Inspire

Inspire others to be their best.

Instruct

Instruct and demonstrate proper exercise techniques and form.

Interact

Interact with clients beyond the assessment for health and well-being optimization.

Keep

• Keep all patient records and information confidential.

• Keep charts confidential and maintain the highest level of patient confidentiality.

Learn

Learn how to interact with patients and build rapport.

Maintain

• Maintain an accurate and organized front desk and filing system.

• Maintain and protect confidential patient accounts, files, and records.

• Maintain appropriate records.

• Maintain a record of interventions by program noting a minimum of once weekly.

• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards.

• Maintain current accurate clinical records in an electronic charting system.

• Maintain daily and weekly program notes to document client interaction and progress.

• Maintain high patient retention rate and ensure patients are booking appointments.

• Maintain service levels to promote and meet our guarantees.

• Maintain weekly program notes to document client interaction and progress.

Make

Make sure to share three things.

Manage

• Manage email inquiries and correspondence.

• Manage office inventory and maintain equipment.

• Manage sleep instructions.

• Manage telephone calls from patients.

• Manage your clients schedules, reschedules, late cancels, renewals.

Monitor

• Monitor and ensure a safe and clean exercise environment.

• Monitor clients' progress and modify programs as necessary.

• Monitor patient safety throughout testing, including initiating emergency response when required.

• Monitor patient safety throughout the test, including using defibrillator when required.

• Monitor the GRTW plan to facilitate a successful outcome.

Network

Network and build relationships with other professionals in the field.

Optimize

Optimize patients' satisfaction, provider time, and treatment room utilization.

Oversee

Oversee patients' progress by routine checks.

Participate in

• Participate in a team environment that will bring you a sense of joy.

• Participate in ongoing clinical education.

• Participate in patient health status assessment and treatment plans with therapists.

• Participate in the ongoing education of residents within the scope of the programs.

Perform

• Perform a functional assessment to determine baseline function and identify return to work barriers.

• Perform and documents general fitness assessments.

• Perform basic equipment maintenance.

• Perform biomechanical, fitness, and functional assessments as a direct referral of a Physiotherapist.

• Perform biomechanical, physical, and functional assessments.

• Perform biweekly reassessment of client progress through functional testing.

• Perform body composition analysis and develop nutrition recommendations.

• Perform ergonomic assessments and related tasks for occupational health clients.

• Perform patients' physical assessments (VO2 max, FMS, body composition by bio-impedance, etc.).

• Perform reassessment of client progress through functional testing.

• Perform standardized exercise physiology testing to evaluate physical and functional fitness.

• Perform vision, hearing, spirometry, audio and other testing and clinic-related tasks as required.

Place

Place clients with appropriate employers.

Prepare

• Prepare and assist with reports for assessment, progress and discharge.

• Prepare and give patients educational material, handouts, and prepare online exercise programs.

• Prepare patient files (paper and computer).

• Prepare progress and discharge reports delegated by the treating clinician.

Promote

• Promote healthy lifestyle and self efficacy strategies.

• Promote maximum independence of seniors in a Long term care setting.

Provide

• Provide administrative support to patients for ICBC claims.

• Provide client orientation to facility and program.

• Provide client orientation to facility and program / s.

• Provide clients / patients with undivided attention.

• Provide clients with advice and recommendations according their health assessments.

• Provide daily supervision and support to clients to implement and progress exercise programs.

• Provide disability management coordination.

• Provide evidence based care to deliver high quality, effective action plans.

• Provide exercise guidance for individuals with chronic conditions or special needs.

• Provide feedback and fitness related information to and answer clients' questions.

• Provide feedback to your manager on Centre operations and ideas for improvements.

• Provide follow-up support to clients once employed.

• Provide gait training and modality application.

• Provide guidance and support to clients during exercise sessions.

• Provide guidance on stress management and relaxation techniques.

• Provide gym supervision to ensure safe operation of program equipment.

• Provide on the job coaching as required.

• Provide pain management education.

• Provide personalized recommendations to clients.

• Provide rehabilitation exercises for clients recovering from injuries or surgeries.

• Provide support to other staff as required.

Record

• Record and document management.

• Record and progress functional programs regularly.

• Record functional and subjective findings in client charts on a regular basis.

• Record keeping and report writing into our shared electronic medical record.

Register

Register and prepare patients for treatments.

Report

Report to the Physiotherapist and Clinical Director.

Respond to

Respond promptly to emergencies.

Review

• Review and print results from stress and resting ECG's.

• Review medical file(s).

Run

Run scheduled Active Rehab and fitness sessions.

Schedule

• Schedule assessments and consultations with patients.

• Schedule patient and manage patient appointments.

Set

Set appropriate goals with clients and develop programs to facilitate meeting functional goals.

Stay updated on

• Stay informed about exercise trends and incorporate them into practice when appropriate.

• Stay updated on the latest research and advancements in kinesiology.

Support

• Support and participate in the development and implementation of programs and objectives.

• Support a team-based approach to Centre functions.

Teach

Teach a variety of group education classes.

Tidy

Tidy and maintain clinic to the level of College Standards.

Utilize

Utilize specialized equipment and technologies for assessment and treatment.

Work with

• Work cooperatively with clients and third party funders to achieve specific goals.

• Work cooperatively with clients to set and achieve functional goals.

• Work one-on-one with clients rehabilitating injuries or seeking general fitness training.

• Work side-by-side with the Physiotherapist during patient visits, exam visits, patient exercises.

• Work with families and staff who are passionate about senior care.

• Work with Physiotherapist to provide appropriate programs to patients.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Kinesiologist:

1. Proficiency in human anatomy and physiology.

2. Knowledge of biomechanics and exercise science principles.

3. Familiarity with fitness assessment and measurement techniques.

4. Ability to use specialized equipment for movement analysis.

5. Understanding of exercise prescription and program design.

6. Proficiency in developing rehabilitation exercises for various injuries.

7. Knowledge of exercise techniques for different populations and conditions.

8. Understanding of exercise physiology and energy systems.

9. Familiarity with electrotherapy modalities for pain management and muscle activation.

10. Proficiency in using software or applications for exercise tracking and monitoring.

11. Ability to interpret and analyze fitness assessment data.

12. Knowledge of exercise progression and periodization.

13. Familiarity with strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, and flexibility exercises.

14. Understanding of sports nutrition and its impact on performance.

15. Ability to provide guidance on ergonomics and injury prevention in the workplace.

16. Proficiency in manual therapy techniques for soft tissue mobilization.

17. Knowledge of exercise techniques for special populations, such as older adults or pregnant women.

18. Understanding of motor control and motor learning principles.

19. Familiarity with exercise equipment and its proper use.

20. Ability to adapt exercise programs to various environments, such as gyms, sports fields, or home settings.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Kinesiologist:

1. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

2. Empathy and ability to build rapport with clients.

3. Strong interpersonal skills to establish trust and collaboration.

4. Active listening skills to understand clients' needs and goals.

5. Patience and compassion in working with clients during their fitness journey.

6. Adaptability to tailor programs to individual abilities and preferences.

7. Motivational skills to inspire and encourage clients to achieve their goals.

8. Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.

9. Time management skills to effectively balance multiple clients and responsibilities.

10. Continuous learning mindset to stay updated on the latest research and trends.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kinesiologists play a vital role in promoting physical health and wellness by assessing, designing, and implementing personalized exercise programs. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, from conducting assessments and developing programs to educating and monitoring clients' progress. To excel in this field, Kinesiologists require a combination of technical skills related to human movement, exercise prescription, and assessment techniques. Additionally, possessing soft skills such as communication, empathy, adaptability, and motivational abilities are crucial in establishing effective client relationships and facilitating positive outcomes.