A professional career as a clinical kinesiologist starts with choosing the right education program and degree. Please review the information below first, then review the roles and areas of practice for kinesiologists further below. Not all kinesiology degree programs provide the education, skills or competency to be a professional kinesiologist in an allied health environment.
Choosing the Right Post Secondary Institution, Degree and Courses
If you are considering a career in professional kinesiology it is important to carefully assess the degree program(s) you are considering enrolling in.
To ensure your chosen degree will provide the necessary training and skills to be successful in professional kinesiology practice, you should review the institution’s degree programs, course requirements and options carefully and contrast this to type of kinesiology career you plan to seek. Kinesiologists in BC are recognized by the BC Ministry of Health as Allied Health Professionals. Kinesiologists entering practice must have the entry level competencies necessary for clinical practice and to meet the demands of an allied health professional. This requirement necessitates that those seeking professional membership with the BCAK under the title of 'Practicing or Non-practicing Kinesiologist', can demonstrate the knowledge and skills appropriate to work in a clinical environment, including a strong understanding of evidence-based practice, professional ethics and the laws related to the provision of healthcare services to the citizens of BC, .
Professional practice kinesiology degree programs, differ from general, sport performance and other programs in that they provide students with coursework focused on applied entry-to-practice knowledge, skills and work integrated learning (WIL) placements to produce graduates who are competent to work with clinical populations, such as those with hereditary and lifestyle diseases, orthopaedic injuries, older adults, mental health disorders, traumatic brain injuries and have knowledge of disability management and ergonomic assessment skills. The profession has evolved beyond that of athletic performance, coaching and personal training, but has not left it behind, as in addition to these skills, kinesiologists require knowledge of disease pathology, clinical exercise prescription, orthopaedic injury assessment and treatment, chronic pain management, workplace support, return to work or home planning and job demands analysis.
A post-secondary institution and program that delivers hands-on, entry to practice knowledge and skills will provide education and training courses in addition to the basics of anatomy, physiology, motor learning, biomechanics, exercise physiology and research methods to include courses that provide knowledge and skills on the following topics:
- Clinical client intake, history taking and risk screening
- Disease pathology/pathophysiology
- Clinical exercise physiology
- Entry level assessment, testing and exercise prescription for clinical populations including
- Endocrine/metabolic disorders - including osteoporosis,
- Pulmonary disease - asthma, cystic fibrosis, COPD,
- Cardiovascular disease & cardiac conduction disorders,
- Neurological disease,
- Oncology,
- Osteo and rheumatoid Arthritis,
- MS, osteoporosis and others such as connective tissue disorders.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Concussion Management
- Behaviour modification in exercise and lifestyle counselling, including cognitive behavioural therapy and motivational interviewing.
- Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements, practicums, internships &/or Co-op education programs
- Practice knowledge on the safe prescription and delivery of exercise for those with mental health disorders, Alzheimer's, dementia and other diseases of aging.
- Healthy living, disease preventative and corporate wellness program design/implementation
- Active rehabilitation, return to work planning, coordination and implementation
- Clinical musculoskeletal assessment of orthopaedic injuries - including; neurological screening, postural abnormalities, muscle and movement pattern tests
- Functional movement and task analysis/assessment
- Ergonomics, including physical demands description and analysis, office and industrial workstation (re)design, work hardening programs
- Disability Management
- Assistive/Adaptive Devices - assessment and utilization
- Healthcare provider ethics
- Professional conduct and scope of practice
- Healthcare provider record keeping (charting, report writing and interpretation)
- Professional health regulation
Details of the essential knowledge and skills required to be a BCAK Practicing kinesiologist can be found in the Essential Competencies of Practice
