Prescribe the Y Personal Trainer

Job Description

Job Description

Decatur Shelby County YMCA

Job Description

Job Title: Prescribe the Y Personal Trainer

Original Date: 10/09/2026

Revised Date:

Department: Wellness

Reports To: Director of Community Health 

This position is fully funded by the Indiana Department of Health Rural Health Transformation Grant.

Basic Functions and Scope of Responsibility

The Prescribe the Y Personal Trainer plays a key role in improving community health outcomes through the Decatur Shelby County YMCA's Prescribe the Y program. This position works with individuals living with or at risk of chronic disease, providing personalized exercise instruction, small-group training, fitness assessments, and ongoing support throughout a structured 90-day health intervention.

Working collaboratively with the Community Health Director, community health workers, and healthcare partners, the Prescribe the Y Personal Trainer helps participants build strength, improve mobility, increase physical activity, and develop the confidence and skills necessary to maintain long-term healthy behaviors. This role supports safe, evidence-informed programming, accurate documentation, and a positive, welcoming participant experience.

Role Responsibilities

• Conduct participant fitness assessments, EGYM orientations, and SECA body composition analyses in accordance with Prescribe the Y protocols.
• Design and facilitate individualized and small-group personal training programs tailored to participants' health conditions, mobility, and fitness levels.
• Educate participants on safe exercise techniques, equipment usage, and independent physical activity to support long-term healthy habits.
• Complete 30-, 60-, and 90-day progress assessments and maintain accurate documentation of participation, fitness progress, and outcomes.
• Collaborate with health coaches and the Community Health Director to monitor participant progress, address barriers, and ensure program quality and consistency.
• Promote participant safety by modifying exercises as appropriate, recognizing health concerns, and following established safety and referral protocols.
• Build positive relationships with participants, providing encouragement and support throughout the 90-day program.
• Support participants in transitioning into ongoing YMCA membership, personal training, group exercise, and other wellness opportunities.
• Maintain program fidelity, participant confidentiality, and compliance with YMCA policies and procedures.
• Participate in required staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Community Health Director.

Education, Experience & Training

• Minimum age of 18.
• Current nationally recognized Personal Training Certification required (ACSM, ACE, NASM, NSCA, or equivalent).
• CPR, AED, and First Aid certification obtained within 30 days of employment.
• Minimum of one year of personal training or related wellness experience preferred.
• Experience working with individuals living with chronic disease, older adults, or individuals with physical limitations preferred.
• Knowledge of exercise modification, functional fitness, strength training, and safe physical activity for diverse populations.
• Experience with EGYM, SECA, or similar fitness assessment technology preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with healthcare professionals, health coaches, and YMCA staff.
• Willingness to complete required Prescribe the Y program training, health information privacy training, and additional chronic disease prevention or exercise-related certifications.  

Core Competencies

• Caring: Show a sincere concern for others
• Honesty: Be truthful in what you say and do
• Respect: Follow the golden rule 
• Responsibility: Be accountable for your promises and actions

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Visual, auditory, and verbal ability to communicate effectively.
• Must have a high level of alertness, concentration, and initiative. 
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. and stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; occasionally stoop/bend.
• Always maintain a neat and professional appearance.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to the job. The job description is not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees in the job classification. This document is not a contract and does not, in any way, alter the at-will employment relationship.

DSCYMCA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type with regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity of expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. 

This Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $206,927,896.80 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.