Fitness Instructor, SMART Program - Casual

Position at VON Canada (Ontario)

Requisition Details:

Employment Status: Casual
Program Name: SMART Program 
Work Schedule: Days
Union/Bargaining Unit: OPSEU
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-centered, 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 movement.

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

VON Canada is committed to meeting the needs of persons with disabilities and to providing accessibility accommodations for candidates who require them. If you are in need of accessibility support, please visit our website at for further details.

VON Canada is committed to embracing and celebrating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as fundamental to living out our values of Respect, Compassion, and Excellence in all that we do.