Exercise Specialist

The Sherwood Park - Strathcona County Primary Care Network is a group of health care professionals and administrative staff who work with you and your Doctor to help you live well. Our caring team provides education and support for managing chronic diseases and mental health concerns, while providing access to specialists and services all within your local community.

We are currently looking for an experienced **Exercise Specialist** to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of an Exercise program team in the busy central offices of the SPPCN with a cross-section of patients. If you have the qualifications listed below, please submit your resume along with a cover letter for consideration.

**Permanent 1.0 FTE (38.75 hours/week)**

**Includes 1 evening shift on Tuesdays (11:45 am - 8:00 pm)**

**This position will be scheduled to work in both Sherwood Park and Fort Saskatchewan locations**

**SPPCN provides a competitive compensation package**

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The role of the Sherwood Park - Strathcona County PCN Exercise Specialist (ES) is to work collaboratively with the patients, family physicians and other team members to provide comprehensive clinical services as identified for the patients of the PCN. The ES will work to full scope of practice with an emphasis on providing comprehensive care, education and guidance, in addition to delivering a variety of exercise assessment, training, rehabilitation and lifestyle management services to patients with chronic disease in individual and group settings.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**

Include, but are not limited to the following:
General
- Provide physical activity clearance for apparently healthy individuals and/or patients with functional limitations and/or chronic disease
- Perform evaluations, prescribe conditioning exercise, and provide exercise supervision, health education and outcome evaluation
- Interpret the results of a patients’ fitness assessment to determine health related fitness/performance level
- Assessment of patient conditions, needs and goals in collaboration with the patient, family physician and interdisciplinary team
- Facilitate appropriate referrals to community resources and programs
- Provide relevant patient education to prevent and manage clinical conditions and provide short term interventions as needed
- Function as lead facilitator in exercise group programming
- Participate in evaluation of PCN services
- To assist in planning, developing, and monitoring of health promotion programs relevant to the needs of the practice population
- Assist in the implementation of strategies for improving the quality and provision of care for the practice population

**EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE**
- Baccalaureate degree in Physical Education, Kinesiology, or equivalent required
- Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology Certified Exercise Physiologist (CSEP-CEP) or American College of Sport Medicine Exercise Specialist (ACSM CES) Certification required
- Certification for GLA:D Hip and Knee and GLA:D Back an asset
- Two to three years or more of related clinical experience
- Experience working in a team setting with other health professionals
- Experience in developing plans and priorities with variable workloads
- Experience in facilitating classes with multiple participants

**SKILLS & ABILITIES**
- Strong, effective written and oral communication skills, high level of perceptiveness
- Critical thinking skills
- Ability to build good working relationships with healthcare professionals, clients and other members of the community
- Ability to prioritize, manage time effectively and be flexible in a very active work environment
- Respect and understanding of confidentiality
- Customer service orientation
- Ability to manage a complex changing environment
- High levels of integrity and professional behavior
- Advanced skills in health promotion, health screening, assessment and education
- Comprehensive knowledge of normal laboratory values and diagnostic imaging
- Initiative, accountability, sound decision-making and communication skills
- Basic computer skills, ability to use Electronic Medical Records
- Ability to demonstrate extensive knowledge of functional anatomy, exercise physiology and pathophysiology

**PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES AND COMPETENCIES**
- Enthusiastic and positive, can-do attitude
- Able and willing, in an unstructured environment, to be flexible, creative and juggle numerous competing priorities
- Ability to act ethically, responsibly and be accountable for actions
- Ability to respect other views/opinions
- Ability to have difficult conversations and be comfortable asking questions.
- Exceptional understanding of and appreciation for confidentiality and privacy
- Ability to identify sensitive information

**Other Occupational Requirements**
- A current and clear criminal records check is required
- CPR certification
- A valid drivers licence and access to a vehicle for travel to various stakeholder locations
- The bas