Exercise Specialist
Posted Aug 20, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
The posting says no experience is required. What coursework or internships prepared you for clinical rehab?
What they are checking: Whether their training gives them a safe foundation and an honest sense of what they still need to learn.
What would you do
A patient on the treadmill says they feel dizzy and their heart rate drops suddenly. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they stop exercise, assess and alert the nurse quickly instead of encouraging the patient to push through.
How do you motivate a patient who is scared to exercise after a cardiac event?
What they are checking: Whether they can build trust and confidence, since fear keeps many rehab patients from making progress.
The job includes education to improve patients' psychosocial status. How would you help a patient who seems depressed after their diagnosis?
What they are checking: Whether they notice emotional struggles and know to involve the team rather than ignore them.
This is a per diem role. How would you make sure you are reliable when the schedule changes?
What they are checking: Whether they will show up consistently and communicate availability so rehab sessions are covered.
About the work
This role follows AACVPR standards in cardiac and pulmonary rehab. What do you know about those standards?
What they are checking: Whether they understand the framework guiding safe exercise programs for heart and lung patients.
Walk me through how you would set up an exercise prescription for a patient recovering from a heart attack.
What they are checking: Whether they can apply intensity, duration and progression principles using heart rate and perceived exertion.
How would you adjust exercise for a COPD patient whose oxygen saturation drops during activity?
What they are checking: Whether they know how to monitor oxygen, pace exercise and use breathing techniques for pulmonary patients.
Do you have your ACSM certification, and if not, what is your plan to get it?
What they are checking: Whether they meet the credential requirement or have a realistic plan to meet it.
How do you read a basic ECG rhythm strip during a monitored session?
What they are checking: Whether they can recognize common rhythm changes and know when to stop and report to the nurse.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Trinity Health.