Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kinesiology Specialist Trainee

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

HealthcareKinesiologyRehabilitationExercise Science

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking a motivated Kinesiology Specialist Trainee to support clinical and community-based programs that assess movement, develop evidence-based exercise and rehabilitation plans, and contribute to outcome measurement and program improvement. This entry-level role blends hands-on patient care, biomechanical assessment, data collection, and multidisciplinary collaboration, designed for recent graduates or early-career professionals pursuing applied kinesiology, exercise physiology, or rehabilitation practice.

This role contributes to patient safety, functional recovery, performance enhancement, and research initiatives by applying principles of human movement science, exercise prescription, and evidence-based practice under supervision.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Recent graduate with a B.S. in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or related field.
  • Physiotherapy/Occupational therapy assistant transitioning to movement-specialist roles.
  • Athletic training intern or strength & conditioning internship.

Advancement To:

  • Kinesiology Specialist / Exercise Physiologist
  • Rehabilitation Coordinator or Clinical Kinesiologist
  • Strength & Conditioning Coach (senior)
  • Clinical Research Associate in movement sciences

Lateral Moves:

  • Occupational Health Specialist (ergonomics)
  • Community Health & Wellness Coordinator
  • Sports Performance Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive baseline movement assessments including range of motion, joint stability, posture, muscle strength, flexibility, and functional movement screens to identify deficits and formulate trainee-level intervention plans.
  • Administer standardized fitness and clinical tests (e.g., VO2 submax, 6-minute walk, timed up-and-go, balance assessments) and interpret results to inform individualized exercise prescriptions.
  • Observe, document, and analyze gait and movement patterns using observational techniques and available technologies (video analysis, wearable sensors, motion capture) to support diagnosis and rehabilitation planning.
  • Design and implement supervised, progressive exercise programs for individuals and small groups that address musculoskeletal injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance goals, incorporating strength, mobility, neuromuscular control and cardiovascular conditioning principles.
  • Deliver one-to-one patient instruction on corrective exercise techniques, activity modification, and safe equipment use; provide clear coaching cues and progression/regression options to meet patient-specific needs.
  • Assist licensed clinicians in developing and modifying treatment plans based on patient response, pain reports, and objective measures, ensuring plans align with best-practice clinical guidelines.
  • Monitor patient vitals and tolerance during exercise sessions; respond to adverse events by following emergency procedures and escalating to supervising clinicians when necessary.
  • Maintain accurate, timely clinical documentation in electronic medical records (EMR) including assessment findings, treatment interventions, progress notes, and outcome measures to meet regulatory and billing requirements.
  • Conduct and record validated outcome measures (e.g., patient-reported outcome measures, functional capacity tests) to quantify progress and support program evaluation and research initiatives.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary case conferences with physiotherapists, physicians, occupational therapists, sport scientists, and psychologists to coordinate care and refine intervention strategies.
  • Support return-to-work and sport-specific rehabilitation protocols by implementing objective progression criteria and communicating readiness recommendations to stakeholders.
  • Educate patients, families, and community participants on injury prevention, ergonomics, activity modification, and long-term wellness strategies using clear, accessible language and evidence-based resources.
  • Prepare and maintain therapeutic and diagnostic equipment (e.g., resistance bands, free weights, balance devices, treadmills, motion analysis hardware) and ensure equipment safety and calibration.
  • Provide supervised functional capacity evaluations and activity tolerance testing for clinical or occupational screening under established protocols.
  • Assist with orthotic/assistive device assessments and fittings, gathering measurements and feedback to inform prosthetic or orthotic provider recommendations.
  • Collect, enter, and manage high-quality data for program evaluation or clinical research projects, ensuring adherence to data governance and privacy policies.
  • Support quality improvement and program development by analyzing patient outcomes, compiling summary reports, and recommending workflow optimizations to supervisors.
  • Deliver group education sessions and exercise classes for preventative health, chronic disease management, and workplace ergonomics; prepare lesson plans and participant handouts.
  • Mentor and supervise student interns or volunteers during clinic hours, demonstrating clinical skills, safety procedures, and professional behavior.
  • Participate in regular professional development activities, case reviews, journal clubs, and competency assessments to stay current with evidence-based kinesiology practices.
  • Apply injury triage protocols to escalate acute cases to appropriate medical providers and facilitate timely referrals to physiotherapy, sports medicine, or specialty care when indicated.
  • Support telehealth or remote coaching sessions by conducting virtual assessments, sharing exercise progressions, and documenting outcomes in the EMR.
  • Enforce clinic infection control, safety, and confidentiality policies, including equipment disinfection, universal precautions, and secure handling of PHI.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in the creation and maintenance of patient education materials, digital resources, and outreach content that promote clinic services and community health initiatives.
  • Contribute to pilot projects and innovation initiatives such as implementing new motion-analysis tools, wearable sensor trials, or outcome tracking platforms.
  • Support administrative tasks including scheduling, intake processing, insurance authorizations, and billing documentation to facilitate smooth clinic operations.
  • Help coordinate program logistics for community screening events, workplace ergonomics assessments, and sport team support sessions.
  • Take part in grant writing support and data collection for clinical research proposals under the supervision of senior investigators.
  • Participate in marketing and recruitment efforts for clinic programs by providing subject-matter input for web content, social media, and patient-facing materials.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Exercise prescription and program design for musculoskeletal rehabilitation and general conditioning.
  • Functional movement assessment, including FMS-style screening, single-leg squat, and reach tests.
  • Musculoskeletal assessment techniques: manual muscle testing, joint ROM measurement, special tests for common injuries.
  • Gait and biomechanical analysis using observational methods and basic motion capture/video analysis tools.
  • Proficiency with EMR systems for clinical documentation and billing workflows (e.g., Epic, Cerner, or clinic-specific platforms).
  • Familiarity with validated outcome measures and patient-reported outcome tools (e.g., DASH, Oswestry, LEFS).
  • Basic exercise testing procedures (submaximal aerobic testing, heart rate monitoring) and interpretation of physiological responses.
  • Safe use and maintenance of therapeutic equipment (resistance bands, dumbbells, balance trainers, treadmills, ergometers).
  • Competence in data collection, entry, and basic statistical/graphical summarization for program evaluation.
  • Experience or coursework in biomechanics, exercise physiology, or motor control principles.
  • Knowledge of orthotic/assistive device basics and the ability to document fitting outcomes.
  • First Aid/CPR/AED certification and familiarity with emergency response protocols in clinical settings.
  • Telehealth delivery skills: virtual assessment techniques, remote exercise coaching, and digital documentation.

Soft Skills

  • Strong verbal and written communication tailored to clinicians, patients, and interdisciplinary teams.
  • Empathy and patient-centered coaching to motivate adherence and behavior change.
  • Critical thinking and clinical reasoning to adapt interventions based on objective findings and subjective reports.
  • Time management and organization to balance caseload, documentation, and program duties efficiently.
  • Collaborative teamwork with clinicians, administrators, and external providers.
  • Attention to detail in assessment, documentation, and outcome tracking.
  • Professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical practice in patient interactions and data handling.
  • Adaptability and continuous learning mindset to incorporate new evidence and technologies.
  • Teaching and presentation skills for patient education and group instruction.
  • Problem solving for troubleshooting equipment, adapting programs, and resolving workflow challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Sport Science, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree or currently enrolled in a graduate program in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Rehabilitation Science, or related clinical discipline.
  • Certifications such as Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), NSCA-CSCS, or related credential are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Kinesiology
  • Exercise Science / Exercise Physiology
  • Biomechanics
  • Rehabilitation Science
  • Sport Science
  • Physical Therapy Assistant programs (for lateral entrants)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years of clinical, internship, or practicum experience in a kinesiology, rehabilitation, athletic training, or exercise physiology setting.

Preferred:

  • 1+ years of supervised clinical experience, internships, or research assistant roles involving movement assessment, exercise prescription, or biomechanical data collection.
  • Experience with EMR documentation and working in multidisciplinary clinical teams.
Explore More Careers