Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kinesiology Officer Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Kinesiology Officer Assistant is an operational and clinical support role that facilitates patient assessments, supervised exercise prescriptions, biomechanics testing, outcome measurement, equipment and lab management, and research data collection. Working under the supervision of a Kinesiology Officer, Clinical Specialist, or Principal Investigator, the assistant ensures high-quality care, accurate documentation, and efficient program delivery across clinical, athletic, academic, or research environments.

Key SEO/LLM keywords: Kinesiology Officer Assistant, exercise prescription support, biomechanics testing, functional assessment, outcome measures, rehabilitation support, patient education, EMR documentation, clinical research coordination, gait analysis.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Certified Personal Trainer, Exercise Specialist, or Graduate Assistant in Kinesiology
Physical Therapy Assistant or Athletic Training Aide
Research Technician or Lab Assistant in biomechanics/exercise science

Advancement To:

Kinesiology Officer / Clinical Kinesiologist
Rehabilitation Coordinator or Exercise Physiologist
Research Coordinator or Clinical Research Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Strength & Conditioning Coach
Sports Medicine Technician
Clinical Research Assistant in allied health

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform standardized functional assessments (e.g., 6MWT, timed up-and-go, ROM measurements, manual muscle testing) and record findings in the electronic medical record or research database, ensuring accuracy and timeliness for clinical decision-making.
Assist the Kinesiology Officer in developing and implementing individualized, evidence-based exercise programs and rehabilitation protocols under supervision, adapting progressions based on patient response and safety guidelines.
Conduct gait and biomechanical screenings using video capture, motion analysis systems, force plates, or observational methods, preparing structured notes and summary reports for the clinical team or investigators.
Administer validated patient-reported outcome measures (e.g., PROMIS, Oswestry, DASH) and objective performance tests, enter responses into REDCap or institutional databases, and flag clinically significant changes for provider review.
Prepare, calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain clinical and research equipment (e.g., dynamometers, cycle ergometers, treadmills, EMG systems, goniometers) following manufacturer and institutional safety protocols.
Monitor vital signs and basic physiological responses (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) during exercise testing and rehabilitation sessions, following established safety algorithms and escalation procedures.
Support supervised exercise testing and cardiopulmonary fitness assessments (submaximal/maximal protocols) by setting up equipment, instructing participants, collecting data, and assisting with test termination criteria when directed.
Provide patient education and one-on-one instruction on therapeutic exercises, proper biomechanics, injury prevention strategies, and home exercise adherence, documenting education and patient comprehension.
Facilitate intake triage by collecting medical history, current medications, activity limitations, and contraindications to exercise, and summarizing critical information for the supervising clinician.
Assist with telehealth and remote patient monitoring sessions by setting up virtual platforms, guiding patients through remote assessments, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and documenting visits in the EMR.
Coordinate scheduling for clinic appointments, testing sessions, research visits, and follow-ups; manage waitlists and cancellations while ensuring compliance with institutional policies and patient confidentiality.
Support recruitment and informed consent processes for clinical research, including screening potential participants, explaining study procedures, obtaining consent under supervision, and maintaining regulatory documentation.
Collect, clean, and perform preliminary analysis on research and clinical data (e.g., Excel, REDCap), prepare de-identified datasets for the research team, and generate basic descriptive reports or visualizations when requested.
Oversee inventory, ordering, and restocking of clinical consumables, rehabilitation supplies, and PPE; create purchase requests and coordinate with procurement to maintain uninterrupted operations.
Supervise and mentor undergraduate interns, volunteers, or student aides in lab and clinic procedures, modeling best practices for safety, professionalism, and data quality.
Ensure compliance with HIPAA, institutional review board (IRB) protocols, infection control, and OSHA safety procedures in all patient and research interactions.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives by collecting audit data, documenting protocol deviations, and recommending workflow improvements to reduce variability and enhance patient outcomes.
Assist in drafting standard operating procedures (SOPs), clinical protocols, and training materials for equipment use, assessment procedures, and safety checklists.
Manage routine clinic documentation tasks including treatment notes, billing codes and charge capture support, referral processing, and correspondence with referring clinicians or allied health professionals.
Coordinate multidisciplinary team communications, share test results and progress updates with physicians, physical therapists, nutritionists, and exercise specialists, and facilitate timely care planning.
Conduct pre-screening for exercise safety including PAR-Q+, cardiac risk stratification, and medication reconciliation, escalating concerns to the supervising clinician as needed.
Implement infection prevention and control measures in clinical spaces, including cleaning and disinfection of equipment between patients and tracking compliance with sanitation protocols.
Support grant administration and reporting by compiling participant flow logs, tracking study milestones, assisting with budget expense tracking, and preparing materials for funding renewals.
Deliver community outreach, wellness workshops, and group education sessions on physical activity, ergonomics, and injury prevention to diverse populations in collaboration with program leads.
Provide onsite assistance during specialty evaluations (e.g., concussion assessments, vestibular testing, sport-specific screenings), ensuring protocols are followed and data are captured accurately.

Secondary Functions

Assist leadership with ad-hoc data requests, generate summary tables for service utilization, and contribute to periodic program performance dashboards.
Contribute to the department’s data strategy by recommending standardized assessment batteries and common data elements for clinical and research interoperability.
Translate clinical and research data needs into operational requirements for scheduling, documentation templates, and equipment procurement.
Participate in department meetings, sprint planning for operational projects, and continuous process improvement initiatives using lean or PDCA methods.
Support outreach and recruitment campaigns by preparing materials, maintaining contact lists, and tracking respondent metrics for community-based programs.
Help coordinate logistics for conferences, research studies, and community clinics including room bookings, equipment transport, and participant communications.
Assist with billing validation and charge reconciliation for clinical services to ensure accuracy in revenue capture and insurance submissions.
Maintain training logs and certification records for clinical staff and student workers, coordinating renewal reminders and onboarding documentation.
Provide basic IT liaison support for commonly used platforms (EMR, REDCap, telehealth software) and escalate vendor-level issues through the appropriate channels.
Participate in professional development by attending trainings, webinars, and certification courses to maintain evidence-based practice and institutional competency standards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in standardized clinical assessments and outcome measures (e.g., 6MWT, TUG, PROMIS, Oswestry, Berg Balance Scale) with accurate scoring and interpretation.
Experience with exercise testing and prescription protocols including submaximal/maximal testing, resistance training progressions, and aerobic conditioning programs.
Familiarity with biomechanics/gait analysis tools and procedures, including video capture, basic motion analysis, and force plate data collection.
Competent in measuring range of motion (goniometry), manual muscle testing, and dynamometry for strength assessment.
Practical experience using electronic medical records (EMR) and research databases (e.g., Epic, Cerner, REDCap) for documentation and data entry.
Basic data management and analysis skills in Excel and/or statistical packages (e.g., SPSS, R) for preparing descriptive summaries and supporting research teams.
Ability to set up, calibrate, and maintain exercise and diagnostic equipment (treadmills, ergometers, dynamometers, EMG), following SOPs and safety checks.
Knowledge of HIPAA, IRB processes, informed consent procedures, and research documentation best practices.
Certified in CPR/BLS; preferred certifications include ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist, CPT, NASM or equivalent.
Experience with telehealth platforms and remote monitoring technologies for virtual assessment and follow-up.
Familiarity with clinical triage, medication reconciliation, and basic cardiopulmonary vital sign monitoring during exercise sessions.
Basic wound, infection control, and PPE protocols for clinical settings.

Soft Skills

Strong verbal and written communication tailored to patients, clinicians, and research teams.
High level of attention to detail and accuracy in clinical documentation and data handling.
Empathy and patient-centered approach, with experience instructing diverse populations and adapting communication for varying health literacy.
Excellent time management and organizational skills to balance clinical, administrative, and research tasks.
Team-oriented with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary care teams and mentoring of students.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify safety concerns and recommend solutions.
Cultural competence and sensitivity to work effectively with patients from diverse backgrounds.
Adaptability to changing priorities in busy clinic and research environments.
Professionalism and confidentiality in handling sensitive health information.
Initiative to identify process improvements and contribute to quality and safety initiatives.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree or diploma in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Physical Therapy Assistant program, Athletic Training, or related allied health field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Human Movement Science, Physical Therapy, Sports Science, or related discipline.
Coursework or certificate in clinical exercise testing, biomechanics, or clinical research methods.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Kinesiology / Exercise Science
Biomechanics / Human Movement
Physical Therapy Assistant / Athletic Training
Sports Medicine / Rehabilitation Science
Clinical Research Methods / Public Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–4 years of combined clinical, lab, or athletic training experience; internships and supervised practicums count toward experience.

Preferred:

2–5 years working in clinical kinesiology, rehabilitation, biomechanics lab, or research setting with documented responsibilities in assessment, exercise prescription support, data collection, and equipment management.
Experience interacting with EMR systems, research databases (REDCap), and basic data analysis tools.
Prior exposure to IRB-regulated research and participant consent processes is highly desirable.

Certifications & Clearances (preferred/required):

CPR/BLS certification required.
Health screenings, TB test, immunization records, and background checks per institutional policy.
Optional but valued: ACSM/NSCA certification, Certified Exercise Physiologist credentials, or state-specific allied health licenses.