Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Kinesiology Technician Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Kinesiology Technician Assistant supports clinicians, kinesiologists, exercise physiologists, and researchers by administering functional and biomechanical assessments, preparing and maintaining lab and clinic equipment, executing exercise protocols under supervision, documenting patient interactions and test data in electronic medical records (EMR), and ensuring safe, high-quality care and data collection. This role bridges clinical rehabilitation, applied biomechanics, and exercise testing—ideal for candidates with a background in kinesiology, exercise science, rehabilitation, or clinical support who are detail-oriented, safety-focused, and skilled with testing equipment and patient communication.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Exercise Technician / Fitness Specialist
Rehabilitation Aide or Therapy Aide
Recent graduate with B.S. in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or related field

Advancement To:

Kinesiologist / Clinician (with appropriate credentials)
Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Physical Therapy Assistant (with additional certification)
Research Coordinator (biomechanics or exercise science labs)

Lateral Moves:

Strength & Conditioning Coach
Rehabilitation Coordinator
Occupational Therapy Aide
Lab Technician (biomechanics / motion analysis)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct standardized physical and functional assessments (e.g., grip strength, isometric/isokinetic testing, timed up-and-go, 6-minute walk test, sit-to-stand, FMS) and accurately record quantitative and qualitative results in the patient chart or research database under the direction of a supervising clinician or researcher.
Set up, calibrate, and operate clinical and laboratory equipment including dynamometers, force plates, motion-capture systems, EMG, cycle ergometers, treadmill systems, and body composition analyzers, following manufacturer specifications and institutional safety protocols.
Prepare and execute clinician- or researcher-approved exercise and rehabilitation protocols, including warm-up routines, progressive resistance exercises, functional movement drills, and aerobic conditioning sessions while continuously monitoring patient safety and form.
Monitor and record vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate) before, during, and after testing or exercise, recognizing and escalating abnormal values to clinical staff immediately.
Provide clear, patient-centered instructions and demonstrations for movement patterns, testing procedures, and equipment use to ensure participant comprehension, compliance, and data integrity.
Assist with gait and biomechanical analyses by placing markers, assisting with video capture, operating motion capture software, compiling trial data, and performing preliminary data quality checks for clinician or researcher review.
Collect biological and performance data in accordance with research protocols, including informed consent verification, standardized test administration, specimen handling (if applicable), and accurate labeling and secure storage of participant data.
Perform baseline and follow-up assessments for rehabilitation programs, document progress notes, and contribute to the interdisciplinary team’s objective tracking of patient outcomes and therapy effectiveness.
Maintain meticulous documentation in EMR systems, study databases (e.g., REDCap), or Excel/CSV files, ensuring timestamps, test conditions, device calibration logs, and any deviations from protocol are recorded for clinical or research auditability.
Adhere to infection control standards, clean and sanitize equipment and treatment spaces between participants, and manage personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance as required by facility policy.
Triage and prepare participants for testing sessions, including intake screening for contraindications, completing pre-test questionnaires (PAR-Q, health history), and verifying medication, orthopedic, or cardiac precautions with supervising clinicians.
Assist clinicians during supervised therapy sessions by adjusting modalities, providing hands-on cues for safe movement, and documenting clinician-directed modifications to exercise prescriptions.
Support recruitment and scheduling of clinic or research participants by contacting candidates, managing appointment calendars, and coordinating pre-visit instructions and consent processes.
Inventory, order, and track supplies and consumables for the kinesiology lab or clinic (e.g., electrodes, marker sets, calibration weights), maintaining vendor relationships and budget-conscious procurement practices.
Participate in equipment maintenance programs by performing routine checks, coordinating preventive maintenance with vendors, and maintaining calibration and service logs to ensure measurement accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Implement and follow emergency response protocols for adverse events during testing or therapy (e.g., syncope, cardiac symptoms), provide immediate first aid/CPR until clinical staff arrive, and complete incident reports in accordance with facility policy.
Provide patient education on home exercise programs, activity modification, injury prevention strategies, and safe use of clinic-issued equipment, reinforcing clinician goals and promoting adherence.
Assist with billing support tasks related to clinical testing by documenting CPT/ICD codes accurately for reimbursement teams and providing test reports or data exports to clinicians for clinical decision-making.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, and research team briefings to share objective test findings, highlight measurement limitations, and suggest adjustments to protocols or patient plans.
Facilitate quality assurance and continuous improvement by auditing testing protocols, flagging systematic data errors, recommending process improvements, and implementing standardized operating procedures for consistent service delivery.
Support educational and outreach activities by demonstrating tests during patient education sessions, student training, and community screening events, representing the kinesiology department professionally.

Secondary Functions

Assist with data cleaning, preliminary analysis (e.g., averaging trials, filtering signals), and preparation of datasets for clinicians or researchers using standard statistical or spreadsheet tools.
Help train and mentor new hires, interns, and student volunteers on clinical testing procedures, safety protocols, and documentation standards.
Contribute to grant-supported research projects by maintaining recruitment logs, tracking participant adherence, and assisting with IRB paperwork under supervision.
Participate in vendor demonstrations and new-equipment trials to evaluate potential investments and provide practical user feedback.
Support clinic or lab marketing and outreach efforts by preparing informational materials, capturing media during test sessions (with consent), and coordinating participant testimonials for educational use.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in administering standardized functional tests and performance measures (e.g., TUG, FMS, 6MWT, dynamometry) with reliable inter- and intra-rater consistency.
Hands-on experience with biomechanics equipment: force plates, 3D motion capture systems, EMG, dynamometers, treadmills, and cycle ergometers; ability to perform basic signal checks and troubleshooting.
Competent in vital signs and basic cardiac monitoring (HR, BP, SpO2); familiarity with ECG telemetry a plus.
Strong documentation skills in EMR systems (e.g., Epic, Cerner) and research databases (e.g., REDCap), ensuring accurate clinical and research records.
Basic data management and analysis skills: Excel, CSV handling, descriptive statistics, and exporting/importing data for clinician or research use.
Knowledge of exercise prescription principles and the ability to implement clinician-prescribed modifications for strength, flexibility, and aerobic training.
Familiarity with laboratory safety, infection control, and equipment sterilization processes; able to maintain calibration logs and follow SOPs.
Skilled at participant screening, informed consent support, and adherence to human subjects protection policies (IRB compliance).
Ability to set up and run standardized protocols under supervision and to follow written protocols precisely to protect data validity.
Proficiency with scheduling software, clinical workflows, and basic billing/documentation to support clinical operations.

Soft Skills

Strong interpersonal and patient-centered communication; able to explain procedures clearly, obtain cooperation, and establish rapport with diverse populations.
Attention to detail and high level of accuracy in data collection, documentation, and equipment calibration.
Critical thinking and problem-solving when troubleshooting equipment issues, unexpected participant responses, or protocol deviations.
Team-oriented mindset with ability to collaborate across clinicians, researchers, students, and administrative staff.
Time management and organizational skills to balance multiple test sessions, equipment prep, and documentation deadlines.
Empathy and professionalism when working with injured, elderly, or deconditioned patients; maintains patient dignity and motivation during testing.
Adaptability to changing clinical priorities and ability to learn new technologies and protocols quickly.
Initiative and accountability—follows through on assigned tasks and proactively identifies opportunities to improve clinic or lab processes.
Discretion and confidentiality in handling protected health information (PHI) and sensitive research data.
Teaching and coaching ability to instruct patients, students, and trainees in safe exercise technique and testing procedures.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with relevant certification (e.g., CPR, First Aid, Basic Life Support). Associate degree or relevant technical diploma preferred.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics, Human Movement Science, or related field is highly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Kinesiology / Human Movement Science
Exercise Science / Clinical Exercise Physiology
Biomechanics / Movement Analysis
Physical Therapy Assistant programs
Sports Science / Strength & Conditioning

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years in clinical, research, or applied exercise/lab settings; internships and practicum experience are often acceptable.

Preferred:

1–3 years of hands-on experience in a kinesiology lab, rehabilitation clinic, athletic training, or biomechanics research setting.
Prior experience working with motion capture systems, dynamometry, force plates, or clinical exercise testing strongly preferred.
Experience with EMR documentation and working knowledge of human subject research protocols considered an advantage.

Keywords: Kinesiology Technician Assistant, Kinesiology Tech, Exercise Technician, biomechanics, functional testing, gait analysis, EMR documentation, rehabilitation support, dynamometry, motion capture, exercise prescription, clinical exercise physiology, patient assessment, lab technician.