Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment

Overview

Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment include specialized therapists who use techniques such as athletic or recreational therapy to aid in the treatment of mental and physical disabilities or injuries. They are employed by establishments such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, extended health care facilities, clinics, recreational centres, nursing homes, industry, educational institutions and sports organizations, or they may work in private practice.

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Assess patients and review reports from physicians, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, counsellors, teachers and other professionals to determine patients' current and potential functioning level

  • Prepare individualized and group treatment plans either independently or through a multidisciplinary team approach, based on health concerns and on recommendations from physicians or other health professionals

  • Design specialized therapy programs to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement, musculoskeletal functioning and performance in sports, work and recreation

  • Implement treatment plans by carrying out specialized therapy sessions employing approaches and techniques such as recreational, sports or other movement therapy

  • Observe, record observations and analyze patients during treatment sessions, write progress reports on patient outcomes and consult with other health professionals to evaluate treatment plans

  • May provide education to clients regarding health promotion and injury prevention, management and treatment

  • May conduct research in respective field of specialization.

Job titles

  • athletic therapist
  • athletic trainer - therapy
  • biokineticist
  • certified athletic therapist (CAT)
  • certified kinesiologist
  • exercise physiologist

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2024 edition

Annual salary

Low

$41,712

Median

$62,568

High

$95,771

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

297

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

Employment requirements

  • Kinesiologists require a four-year bachelor's degree in kinesiology, physical education or human kinetics.

  • Certification for kinesiologists is available through the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance.

  • Registration with a regulatory body is required for kinesiologists in Ontario.

Additional information

  • There is no mobility between the different occupations in this unit group.

Certification requirements

  • No certification requirements

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

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