Requisition Details:
Employment Status: Casual
Program Name: SMART
Work Schedule: Days
On-Call: No
Existing Vacancy: Yes - we're currently hiring candidates for an existing
vacancy in this position.
Job Summary:
The Fitness Instructor is responsible for providing client-centred,
evidence-based, efficient care to individuals in their homes and community. The
Fitness Instructor delivers exercises to clients under the direction of the
Program Supervisor and/or designate associated with the program and in line with
the certification standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Sets up physical class environment (chairs, equipment, etc.).
- Develops, modifies and delivers low-impact, safe and effective group or
in-home exercises that prevent injury, reduce risk of falls and provide
therapeutic benefits for older adults. Incorporates specific attention to
underlying medical issues and associated risks for high-risk and/or frail
older adults.
- Identifies and effectively utilizes tools and resources for relevant work
(i.e. resistance bands, exercise balls, weights, music and other such program
enhancers).
- Utilizes effective communication skills to obtain information from the
clients, as applicable (i.e. when completing required paperwork with new
participants).
- Promotes client independence through fitness and health promotion.
- Works toward fulfillment of client goals.
- Participates in on-going review of service delivery process and evaluation.
- Attends educational in-services that are deemed appropriate by Program
Supervisor.
- Provides fall prevention education as directed by Program Supervisor and/or
designate.
- Ensures all incidents are reported in a timely manner in accordance with
legislation and VON policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Common Responsibilities:
- Promotes the goals and values of VON and their role as an integrated
community care provider.
- Promotes a safe and healthy workplace ensuring workplace conduct and
activities are in accordance with the provincial Occupational Health and
Safety Act and Regulations and compliant with the VON Safety Management
System, including all Policies, Safe Work Practices and Procedures.
- Abides by all VON policies and work practices.
- Abides by all confidentiality and protection of personal information
policies, regulations and practices and ensures appropriate safeguards are in
place within their role.
- Works in collaboration with other staff in a team approach to service
delivery.
External and Internal Relationships:
- Collaborates and engages with Clients, Program Coordinators, Program
Supervisors, Kinesiologist, other Fitness Instructors and Program Assistant
to ensure client and program needs are addressed appropriately and to support
client independence.
- Communicates with community partners as it pertains to client care and
program delivery.
Education, Designations and Experience:
- High school graduate.
- First Aid and CPR are required.
- Certification and/or certificate of completion as a Seniors Fitness
Instructor and/or equivalent is required at the time of hire or within 3
months from time of hire. Please note: Certifications are not required at
time of application. VON Canada may offer opportunities for training.
- Experience promoting health and well-being through physical activity.
- Post-secondary education in a healthcare setting is considered an asset
(related field including, but not limited to: Fitness and Health Promotion,
Recreation and Leisure, Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy Assistant,
Kinesiology, Gerontology, etc.).
- Minimum of 2 years of experience teaching group fitness classes for older
adults including experience teaching specialized classes for chronic
conditions is an asset i.e. Osteoporosis, Parkinson Disease, Diabetes,
Osteoarthritis etc.
- Experience working in a retirement home or assisted living environment is an
asset.
Skill Requirements:
- Respect for privacy and confidentiality.
- Dependability and trustworthiness.
- Good communication and active listening skills.
- Capacity to remain calm in unexpected situations.
- Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
Other:
- Must have access to a personal vehicle for business use and possess both a
current driver’s license and proof of vehicle insurance.
- A current and original copy of a satisfactory criminal records check
including a vulnerable sector screen is required.
- Ability to speak French is an asset in French designated areas.
- Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.
Working conditions and physical demands: This role requires a detail-oriented
approach in a dynamic environment, with physical activity including lifting,
carrying (using proper techniques), bending, reaching, kneeling, and other
movements that emphasize good body mechanics. Individuals in the role are
required to walk, sit, stand, and climb stairs throughout the day, with some
tasks requiring fine hand movements.
Attention Current Employees (Internal Applicants): If you are applying to a
unionized position and you are a member of its bargaining unit, please be aware
that this posting may remain open beyond the deadline if there are not enough
applicants to fill the position(s). If the posting remains open after the
initial deadline, VON may close the posting at its’ discretion or a rolling
deadline equivalent to the posting period specified in your Collective Agreement
will be deemed, and each successive period will be treated as a separate posting
for purposes of comparing seniority between candidates.
Other terms commonly searched for this type of opportunity: Kinesiologist,
Physiotherapy Assistant, Exercise Therapist, PTA
