Exercise Specialist / Rehab Tech, Annapolis Maryland

Aquacare & Fitness Forum Physical Therapy; Captains Walk (MD); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

401(k) with 4% match

PTO

6 paid holidays

Paid CPR certification

Paid lifeguard certification

Job summary

Aquacare & Fitness Forum Physical Therapy in Annapolis, MD is seeking an Exercise Specialist to coach patients through PT-designed exercise programs and assist therapists, including sessions in the therapy pool.

The role involves setting up treatment areas, ensuring safety, and front-desk coverage as needed. 15–26 hours weekly, $17–$20 per hour, with benefits available after 30 hours.

Qualifications

• Reliability and strong communication with patients in pain or frustration.
• Basic computer skills and the ability to manage several tasks in busy mornings.
• Lifeguard/CPR certifications are a plus and helpful for aquatic therapy support.

Responsibilities

• Guide patients through prescribed exercise programs under a PT's direction.
• Set up and reset treatment areas, equipment, and pool deck between patients.
• Ensure safety in gym and pool; report any concerns.

Skills

Reliability

Communication

Basic computer skills

Multitasking

Education

Exercise Science or Kinesiology coursework/degree

CPR certification

Tools

Lifeguard certification

Job description

Exercise Specialist / Rehab Tech - Annapolis, Maryland

$17-20 | Full-time or part-time | Great Place to Work Certified 2025 and 2026

Fitness Forum Physical Therapy is hiring an Exercise Specialist, also called a rehab tech or physical therapy aide. You will coach patients through the exercise programs our physical therapists design, including sessions in our therapy pool.

In addition, you will assist the therapist in cleaning treatment areas before and after patient sessions, as well as housekeeping duties for cleanliness of the clinic. If you are headed for PT school, PTA school, or a career in exercise science, this is one of the best seats in the business.

The job, specifically

• $17-20 per hour, 15-26 hours per week
• Schedule: Mostly days, with 1-2 evening shifts until 7pm per week
• You work alongside a team of 6-8 physical therapists and techs depending on location
• One-on-one patient care, because our PTs never double-book
• Benefits eligible at 30 hours: medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with 4% match, PTO, 6 paid holidays
• Paid CPR certification if you do not have it yet
• Paid lifeguard certification for aquatic therapy support

What you will actually do

• Guide patients through their prescribed exercise programs under a PT's direction
• Set up and reset treatment areas, equipment, and the pool deck between patients
• Watch for safety in the gym and the water, and speak up when something looks off
• Answer phones, confirm appointments, schedule patients, and cover the front desk when needed
• Housekeeping duties for cleanliness of clinic and common areas.

What we need from you

Required: reliability, real communication skills with people who are in pain or frustrated, basic computer skills, and the ability to hold several things at once on a busy morning.

Helpful but not required: CPR certification, coursework or a degree in exercise science or kinesiology, prior experience in a medical office or fitness setting, lifeguard certification or aquatic experience.

No physical therapy experience? We train. Several of our current PTs and PTAs started in this exact role.

Why this job goes somewhere

Most exercise specialist jobs are dead ends. This one is a pipeline.

• Observation hours toward your DPT or PTA school application, documented and signed
• Direct mentorship from licensed physical therapists, not just a supervisor
• Exposure to real specialty work: aquatic therapy, orthopedics, pelvic health, lymphedema, balance and vestibular
• Letters of recommendation from clinicians who have actually watched you work
• 25+ certified clinical instructors on staff across our 12 clinics in Maryland and Delaware
• We hire from within, and we would rather you build your career here than somewhere else

Why people stay

We have been physical-therapist-owned since 1998, and we are Great Place to Work Certified in both 2025 and 2026. Those certifications come from anonymous surveys of our own team, not from our marketing department. In the most recent one:

• 96% say new people are made to feel welcome
• 95% say people here care about each other
• 93% say they can be themselves at work
• 85% call it a great place to work, against 57% at a typical U.S. company

Aquacare and Fitness Forum Physical Therapy operates 12 outpatient clinics across Maryland and Delaware, including Annapolis, Kent Island, Easton, Salisbury and Berlin in Maryland, and Lewes, Millsboro, Millville, Milford and Seaford in Delaware

Join a Team Where You Can Grow, Specialize, and Make a Difference!

For over 26 years, Aquacare & Fitness Forum Physical Therapy has proudly delivered premier outpatient physical therapy services across Maryland and Delaware as a locally owned and operated practice.

We’re committed to helping our clinicians specialize in their fields of interest—supporting professional growth through mentorship and continuing education.

Our specialty services are designed to meet the diverse needs of our community and include:

Specialty Areas:
Orthopedic Rehabilitation
OP Home Visits (PT PLUS)
Aquatic Therapy
Sports Rehabilitation (Aquacare Athletics)
Balance & Vestibular Therapy
Dance Rehabilitation
Lymphedema Treatment
Neurological Rehabilitation
Pelvic Floor Therapy
Women’s Health

At Aquacare & Fitness Forum PT, you’ll be part of a collaborative, patient-centered team that values quality care and clinical excellence.