The Adventure & Experience at Virtua

hospital Washington Township, New Jersey

Presented By:Matt Lorup, Brandon Junk, Marisa Marini, Kristin Prendergest

Mission Statement of Virtua

“Virtua helps you be well, get well and stay well.”

What is at Virtua?

Radiology room, Surgery room, Doctor’s offices, Urgent Care area

Pools, Warm therapy room, Salons, Exercise gym, Cardiac Rehab Equipment

TRX/ “Elite Room”, Video/Group Biking Workout, Fitness Office

Classes for adults Zumba, Boxing, Yoga, Bootcamps Fitness Assessment Room

Kid's room Up to 2 hours of play time while parents are working out Offers classes for children too

Yoga Fun basic exercises

Kristen Przybylski, M.A.

Fitness Manager

School:  Rowan University

Degree: B.A. Health & Exercise Science w/ Specialization in Health Promotion Fitness Management and M.A. Wellness & Lifestyle Management.

Certifications:  National Exercise & Sports Trainer Association (N.E.S.T.A.) Personal Trainer, Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist (CES)  American Heart Association CPR/AED.

Experience:  Over 14 years experience in the fitness industry.

Overview of Kristin’s Job

Fitness Manager Manage daily operations in fitness, aquatics, and group

exercise including marketing, financials, budgeting, membership retention, staff development, and client relations.

Interact daily with members to ensure an exceptional membership experience.

Fitness and Intern Supervisor. Community Supervisor. Fitness Assessments. Attends up to date meetings daily. On the job substitute

Q&A with Kristen

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE IN YOUR ROLE? Involves meetings, Quad X, Staff involvement, Swimming Lessons, Personal Training, Covering roles that need to be covered.

WHAT ARE THE MEETING YOU ATTEND FOR? Medical integration, Virtua wants something done, personal training numbers/results, membership info, marketing.

WHAT MAKES YOUR JOB ENJOYABLE? Helping people, inspired from others, rewards. Ex: helping one lady lose 100 pounds in a year.

WHAT IS ONE OF THE HARDSHIP YOU FACE? Pleasing everyone. Dealing with diversity.

Q&A with Kristen

WHAT IS THE WORK ENVIRONMENT LIKE? Goofy. Everyone gets along with one another. Have a lot of different personalities that blends in together for a good mix, relaxing.

HOW DOES A TYPICAL WORK SCHEDULE WORK HERE? Basically you start with having to reach a minimum for the week; goal, classes, assignment wise, then get paid for the more you do and involved with. Almost make your own schedule. All deals with personal preference.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE? For starters, not a micro manager. I let my people have all the freedom, basically very laid back because they know what is expected of them. Only time I have to deal with anyone I work with is over a complaint.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE VIRTUA AS A CAREER JOB? The name, big company. A easy place to grow, easy with a Rowan degree, more opportunity, awesome work experience, easy to be involved.

Q&A with Kristen

WHAT WAS THE LADDER YOU CLIMB TO REACH THE POSITION YOU ARE AT RIGHT NOW? Started at Vorhees as a fitness specialist, then supervisor, then to now at Fitness Manager.

IS THERE A HIGHER UP POSITION YOU WANT OR ARE GOING FOR? I want to be the Director which is basically the head person of the place.

WHAT ARE SOME QUALIFICATIONS YOU WOULD LOOK FOR IF YOU WANTED TO PROMOTE SOMEONE, OR DO YOU LOOK AT DIFFERENT VIRTUAS TO BRING SOMEONE IN FROM? We promote from within. Basically the easiest way to be promoted is to be really involved, work different classes, take every opportunity possible, and the main key is leadership.

Kristin’s Role With Interns

WHAT ARE SOME QUALIFICATIONS OR CERTIFICATES YOU ARE LOOKING FOR WHEN HIRING AN INTERN OR

SOMEONE AS A CAREER JOB? Easy going, upbeat, positive attitude, always looking to do more then expected. As for certificates – NASA, Cancer Exercise Specialist, ACE, CPR/First Aid, Lifeguarding

HOW DOES THE INTERVIEW PROCESS WORK? Group interview involving her and two other people (forgot who) but interview 4 people at once, bring 2 of them back. Once looking at their resumes she is looking for experience, credentials, personalities, and moral

MFA certification

Medical Fitness Association

Which Includes.. Active and regular medical oversight Written policies and procedures concerning user safety

and the ability to respond appropriately to all emergencies Disease management and prevention programs Health-risk reduction and therapeutic-lifestyle programs Testing and outcome trackingCertified and licensed staff Individualized health screening Quality management, with a focus on measurable results A focus on improving community health

Master’s Programs

Masters in Exercise & Wellness

Masters in Kinesiology and Exercise Science

Masters in Nutrition

Masters in Exercise & Wellness

Prepares professionals in the areas of fitness leadership and management as well as in health and wellness promotion

Students must:-complete core classes (30 semester hours)

-focused study in health promotion and physical activity or fitness and conditioning.

Requirements: B.S. degree in Exercise Science

Masters of Science of Kinesiology

Three emphasis: behavioral, biophysical, and socio-historical

Focuses on anatomy, physiology, biopshysics of human movement and exercise and therapeutic rehab

9 hours of core requirements in the area of emphasis and 15 to 18 hours of elective credits

Offers many fitness and sport activities to help promote life-long well being

Program of Nutritional Sciences offers Masters and PhD

provides advanced training in research, leadership, education, and community engagement in both specialized and interdisciplinary settings

enhances the quality of nutrition by integrating resources and expertise across departments and colleges

Requirements: 14 core credits, 6 supporting credits, and 5 free elective credits

Professional Organizations

Benefits: enhance network, broaden knowledge, exclusive resources.

Increased professionalism, and set standards

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world.

Dedicated to providing and implementing scientific research

Professional Organizations

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) World leading organization for elite strength coaches, personal trainers , and researchers.

Offers professional development, insurance, and internship programs

Professional Organizations

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES)

College degree

Promote Professional Development

Apply skills; Assesments, Planning, Evaluating etc.

Our Reaction

Impressions of Virtua

Impressions of Kristen and her career position

What appealed most/least about this career?

Would we still consider pursuing it?

Any more feedback/experience learned from the visit?

Testing Your Knowledge

Name one of the potential master degree programs to further your career in this field?

What is one of the responsibilities of a fitness manager?

What is one of the hardships Kristen faces everyday?