Exercise Specialist

• Duke Fitness Center
• part time Duke Clinical Research Institute United States, North Carolina, Durham Aug 05, 2026 General Description of the Job Class The Duke Health and Fitness Center is seeking a highly qualified exercise specialist to join our team.

Responsibilities include to provide safety for clinical members during exercise sessions and to triage symptoms and vitals for members pre/during/post exercise sessions and providing personal training sessions to a diverse member population. Supporting group fitness classes on land and in pool is an added support. Work Performed Level I

• Participate in screening individuals' medical histories and current Health status to identify major health risk factors; administer fitness testing procedures and counsel individuals regarding test results and us of exercise equipment, assist with fitness-related educational programs.
• Population usually low risk, even though risk factors exist. Entry level work with medical programs, scripts must be co-signed by level 3 Exercise Specialist, Exercise Physiologist or supervisor. Level II
• Plan, coordinate and implement the development of exercise and related programs for a variety of special populations and clinical programs.
• Perform a wide variety of fitness assessments and/or non-invasive cardiopulmonary tests according to work site.
• Responsible for developing safe exercise prescriptions, goal setting and exercise progression for low, medium and high-risk patients.
• Able to teach variety of land and water based group exercise for low, medium and high risk clients as required by work site.
• Requires co-sign / oversight by Level 3 Exercise Specialist, Exercise Physiologist or supervisor. Level III
• Responsible for all exercise requirements indicated in cardiac rehab state license, AACVPR national and ACSM guidelines as applicable to work site.
• Able to teach most/all offered land and water based group exercise for low, medium and high risk clients as required by work site.
• Recognizes symptom changes & signs of problems.
• Knows appropriate medical response / processes.
• Initiates first responder care.
• Active in program certification process and regulatory agency review as applicable to work site.
• Understands care management and interacts as patient advocate for appropriate referrals (non-physician) to other professionals or community services as indicated.
• Function as a Team Leader and performs charge responsibilities

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities N/A Level Characteristics Level I:

• All exercise scripts have to be co-signed by higher-level ES
• Lower risk responsibilities.
• Significant on the job training takes place at this level.

Level II:

• Higher level of function and autonomy, but still needs oversight.

May have some "charge duty" responsibilities, but not full supervisory responsibility.

Level III:

• Functions independently in all diagnostic / clinical tasks.
• Higher-level function regarding program oversight.
• No co-signatures required (unless future national policy requires EP signature.)
• Maximum level attained without master's degree or RCEP credential.

Minimum Qualifications Education Bachelor's degree in exercise science or related field required.

Experience Level I:

No previous experience required.

Level II:

Minimum 1-year applicable experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.

Level III:

Minimum 2 yrs. applicable experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications Level I:

BLS certification

Level II:

BLS; ACSM certification (must attain certification within 1 year of hire)

Level III:

BLS (ACLS preferred), ACSM Clinical Certification as Exercise Specialist required Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status. Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.