Title: Kinesiologist

Reports to: Manager, Primary Care

Position Type: Part-Time Permanent (0.9 FTE or 31.5 hr/week) Flexible hours and scheduling available

Salary: $36.68 - $43.15

Vacancy Status: New Vacancy

Location: Kingston

Position Summary

The Registered Kinesiologist, with specialized training and/or certification in respiratory health and pulmonary rehabilitation, is an integral member of the multidisciplinary care team. The incumbent applies advanced knowledge of exercise science and kinesiology to support individuals living with chronic respiratory conditions, including COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and post-COVID syndrome.

This position is responsible for conducting assessments, developing and implementing individualized and group exercise and rehabilitation programs, and providing education and counselling to promote active living, improving respiratory function, and enhance overall quality of life.

The Kinesiologist works collaboratively with primary care providers, caregivers, and other members of the health care team to align interventions with patient goals. In partnership with the Dietitian, Nurse Navigator, Certified Respiratory Educator, physicians, and other allied health professionals, the Kinesiologist provides individualized exercise counselling, facilitates group sessions, and connects patients with appropriate community-based programs and services.

Recognizing the influence of social determinants of health, the Kinesiologist supports the prevention and management of chronic disease and contributes to health promotion initiatives across the region. The incumbent also participates in the design, delivery, and evaluation of group and individualized programs in collaboration with the Interprofessional Care Team and community partners.

Key Responsibilities

Client Coaching

• Conduct comprehensive fitness and functional assessments with a focus on respiratory health.

• Work with team members and Physician offices to coordinate care around client’s goals

• Meet with client’s and caregivers to provide coaching and individual exercise plans to start or improve an individualized active living program

• Provide specialized individual exercise plans for clients with medical conditions, functional limitations or disabilities associated with musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiopulmonary, metabolic, neuromuscular, and aging conditions

• Work with clients and organizations to identify active living programming and support client in accessing the programming

• Developing a treatment plan according to the patient's individualized needs

• Monitor clients during physical activity, ensuring safety, appropriate progression, and symptom management (e.g., dyspnea, oxygen use).

• Provide education on breathing techniques, energy conservation, and lifestyle modifications related to respiratory wellness.

Community Engagement

• Lead community exercise programs to improve access and or encourage new programming

• Provide expertise to community organizations

Program Administration

• Develop and implement evidence-based exercise programs for clients with chronic respiratory conditions.
• Work in a multidisciplinary team environment to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate active living programs in consultation with the primary health care teams within RFLA
• Complete reporting requirements for initial, progress and discharge reports with input from all applicable team members
• Attend and participate case conferences with the team, as required
• Conduct group orientation and education sessions and ongoing one-on-one education to clients either by themselves or with other Allied Health Professionals
• Input and gather program related data, document group and individual participant outcomes using the organizations electronic medical record
• Participate in organizational meetings as required
• Act as an active living resource to other disciplines as appropriate and directed
• Stay current with research and best practices in pulmonary rehabilitation and exercise science.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Comply with all relevant legislation and KCHC policies, including privacy laws

• Commits to acquiring an understanding of the importance of trauma responsiveness and the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

• Commits to demonstrating an ongoing commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigenization and Accessibility (EDIIA) by representing the diverse nature of our communities, promoting and practicing inclusion

• Supports consistent application and development of KCHC policies and procedures

• Supports KCHC’s student and volunteer placement programs

• Promotes awareness of and participation in KCHC activities

• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and quality improvement

• On occasion, perform other temporary duties as required

Basic Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or related field.

• Registration with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology as a Certified Exercise Physiologist, or active registration with the Ontario College of Kinesiologists or related College

• Experience working with chronic disease populations, especially respiratory, is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of oxygen therapy, pulse oximetry monitoring, and breathing retraining techniques is an asset.

• Pulmonary Rehabilitation Specialist Training (e.g., Canadian Lung Association, ALA) an asset

• Chronic Disease Self-Management Certification an asset

• ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) an asset

• Motivational Interviewing or client-centered coaching training an asset

• Knowledge of community development strategies related to physical activity.

• Knowledge of group dynamics.

• Knowledge of adult learning strategies.

• Ability to communicate the benefits of being physically active in a friendly and sensitive manner.

• Flexible, with the ability to appreciate individual capacity and potential physical limitations to being active, including influences of chronic disease.

• Physical fitness level necessary to fulfill fitness class leadership role.

• Ability to remain organized in a dynamic environment/schedule.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to being a team player.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Other Requirements

• Access to a vehicle, valid driver’s license and insurance is required.

• Current and satisfactory Criminal and Vulnerable Persons Check

• French language is an asset

• Current Immunizations

As a registered professional, to abide by and be accountable to the ethics and standards set out by the relevant regulatory body of the profession. All KCHC staff have a duty to understand and follow KCHC policies, uphold high ethical and professional standards, and maintain confidentiality and privacy, using tact and good judgment in all dealings with other staff and clients.

At Kingston Community Health Centres (KCHC), we understand that the work of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigeneity, and Accessibility (EDIIA) is ongoing. We are dedicated to being accountable, transparent, and responsive to the holistic needs of the communities we serve. We will continue to listen, learn, and take meaningful action to ensure that our policies, practices, and services create an environment where everyone, regardless of their identity or circumstances, can thrive.

We actively encourage individuals from all backgrounds, including but not limited to women, racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities, to apply to KCHC. Our commitment to EDIIA is a living practice, one that evolves as we grow and learn together. We pledge to contribute to building a system that is equitable, diverse, inclusive, accessible, and welcoming for all.

KCHC is an equal opportunity employer, respecting and embracing the needs and diversity of our employees. If you require accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process, please notify Human Resources.

Kingston Community Health Centres, 263 Weller Ave. Kingston ON, K7K 2V4 www.KCHC.ca