Exercise Physiologist

Health Care Worker

This position reports to both clinical leadership at the MTF and to their Program Manager at MedTrust, LLC. If you have questions on whom to report a specific incident to, please contact your MedTrust Program Manager.

The HCW must be able-bodied in order to safely provide care for the BMT population without putting themselves or the Trainees at undue risk. The HCW must be able to perform the following physical requirements for duty, both upon beginning employment and on an ongoing basis: The HCW shall have the physical capacity to demonstrate proper running technique, exercises, drills, injury prevention training programs, and other rehabilitative maneuvers; lift 50 pounds from ground level to waist level (e.g., must be able to help load a patient on a litter into a vehicle or cooling tub IAW AFI 48-151 Guidance); perform recurring bending, stooping, crouching, stretching, and other similar types of movements; demonstrate correct exercise technique, including running, sit-ups, push-ups, and a full spectrum of upper extremity/lower extremity/lumbopelvic rehabilitative exercises; demonstrate running techniques and drills.

Work is performed with potential constant exposure to various diseases, emotionally disturbed and disruptive personalities. There is exposure to electrical equipment, portable x-ray radiation, pathogens and blood and body fluids and airborne pathogens. Personal protective equipment will be worn in accordance with established local policy.

Normal hours of operation are 6:00am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday, not to exceed 40 hours per week. During winter training hours (approximately November through March) the schedule shifts to 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university within the field of Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or related field.

HCW shall possess at least one (1) of the following certifications:

• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), or
• Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, or
• ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM- EP) through the American College of Sports Medicine

In-person Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, as accepted by the American Heart Association (AHA), (Healthcare Providers for clinical providers) or by the American Red Cross, is required. Online courses are not acceptable to meet the BLS requirement.

Professional experience performing running gait analysis and gait training is required.

The HCW shall operate under direction of the Sports Medicine OIC.

The HCW shall assist provider(s) assigned to support services to BMT and/or Technical Skills Training (TST) units with oversight and administration of exercise/physical training programs. The HCW shall perform evaluation and treatment of Airmen and Trainees, which may include, but are not limited to, trainees and instructors, within the scope of care detailed below.

The HCW shall perform running gait assessments and education in group and/or individual setting, under direct or indirect supervision of a privileged provider, to include barefoot and shod running assessments, running gait training, efficient running clinics, one on one musculoskeletal assessments, strength and conditioning prescriptions.

The HCW shall develop and implement strength training and conditioning programs for implementation in large group settings for performance optimization and primary prevention of injuries. In addition, the HCW shall evaluate and recommend new techniques and equipment that would enhance the benefit of the sports medicine program for the ATFs.

The HCW shall facilitate and instruct Airmen/Trainees to enhance their general knowledge of fitness and health concepts, injury prevention strategies, self-rehabilitative techniques, and functional movement assessment, in order to develop independence of action and allow participation in their own fitness prescriptions.

The HCW shall assess Airmen/Trainees to screen for potential injuries/illnesses or risk factors that would increase their risk of injury/illness. These screening procedures may include but are not limited to musculoskeletal flexibility assessment, muscular strength and endurance assessment, cardiovascular fitness assessment, postural and ergonomic assessment, and body composition assessments. The HCW shall design and implement conditioning programs (i.e., flexibility, strength, cardiovascular fitness) to reduce the risk of injury and illness. The HCW shall ensure no added overall health risk is involved in the design and implementation of fitness, nutrition and conditioning programs customized to meet individual Airman/Trainee needs. The HCW shall instruct and counsel Airmen/Trainees regarding compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens and human performance maintenance. The HCW shall provide appropriate follow-up for reevaluation of individuals within the realms of injury prevention or human performance optimization.

The HCW shall provide appropriate neuromuscular control and corrective exercise programs as well as postural functional exercises and self-corrective movements for reconditioning and/or rehabilitation of individuals with injuries.

The HCW shall educate and advise Airmen/Trainees regarding the nutritional aspects of physical activity. Proper nutrition can enhance performance, prevent injury and illness, and assist patients or clients in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The HCW shall educate Airmen/Trainees on the importance of acclimatization and fluid and electrolyte balance in the prevention of heat illness.

The HCW shall select, apply and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to include techniques to restore joint range of motion and muscle extensibility, exercises to improve strength, endurance, speed and power, activities to improve balance, neuromuscular control and coordination, agility training, exercises to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, sports specific, and/or functional exercises.

The HCW shall complete required documentation of Airman/Trainee evaluations and therapeutic interventions.

HCW shall monitor Trainees, instructors, and other personnel in activities such as, but not limited to: squadron/flight physical training, individual physical training, rehabilitative exercise, human performance training regimens, combative training, obstacle course training, and small unit tactics.

The HCW shall assist in development and/or review training-related education, conditioning, and other activities/programs/products within the scope of sports medicine services to support the 37th Training Wing's mission and as directed by sports medicine physician(s), or another specified physician within the 559th Medical Group. The HCW shall provide daily service support to the ATFs and to the Sports Medicine Hub ensuring patient care is coordinated between the patient, training instructors, and the healthcare system.

The HCW shall work under the direction of the sports medicine physician(s), or another specified physician within the 559th Medical Group. The HCW shall partners with sports medicine physician(s) to ensure clinical care objectives are met, keeping patient safety and quality, trusted care at the highest level of priority. HCW will provide and complete 3 reviews of patient care documentation to the Sports Medicine OIC by the first day of the month.

The HCW shall observe and become familiar with the training that occurs in the BMT squadrons. In doing so, the HCW shall also become acquainted with MTIs and training leadership, and communicate regularly with these personnel regarding matters related to exercise and physical training programs, as indicated and appropriate, respecting all PA and HIPAA requirements.

The HCW shall educate MTIs and training commanders on best practices to optimize training regarding the administration of exercise/physical training programs. The HCW shall train MTIs on physical training techniques as needed. The HCW shall integrate and collaborate with MTIs, whereas interactions with leadership will be more formal and will usually involve the sports medicine physician(s) and/or associated Sports Medicine OIC/NCOIC congruent with 559 THLS chain of command.

The HCW shall participate, semi-annually, in CPI efforts based on development and implement strength training and conditioning programs for implementation in large group settings, and compliance with prescribed therapeutic regimens and human performance.