Melissa Pocrnja

Ensure patron safety through effective emergency response, first aid administration, and water rescues. Deliver high-quality customer service while maintaining pool cleanliness, safety, and operational standards. Responsible for pool maintenance and heavy manual labour during opening and closing shifts, including equipment setup and facility preparation. Contribute to a safe, clean, and welcoming aquatic environment.

Plan and deliver structured swim sessions for individuals and groups across a range of ages and skill levels. Focus on stroke development, technique correction, water safety education, and competition standards to build confidence and improve performance. Maintain a positive, supportive learning environment while ensuring safety and engagement in the water.

Delivered and prescribed tailored exercise programs for inpatients and outpatients aged 18-65 with a range of mental health conditions (mild to severe). Considered clinical status and medication profiles to support recovery, reduce sedentary behaviour, and mitigate side effects of pharmacological treatments. Programs also addressed individual goals such as improving cardiovascular fitness, body composition, and muscle hypertrophy. Observed clinical assessments and consultations conducted by senior exercise physiologists.

Delivered and prescribed individualised exercise programs for children and adolescents with physical, mental, or behavioural challenges. Worked collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to support participants’ physical health, mental well-being, and enjoyment of physical activity. Responsibilities included developing and running sessions, conducting end-of-term assessments, and adjusting goals based on individual progress.

Prescribed and delivered tailored exercise programs for clients aged 16-60 with a range of goals, including healthy ageing, improved energy and tolerance, injury rehabilitation, and chronic condition management. Supported clients of diverse backgrounds and abilities, focusing on sustainable lifestyle change and fostering independence in their health and fitness journeys.

Assisted in the delivery of exercise-based rehabilitation for clients aged 19-85 with congenital heart disease and/or advanced heart failure. Supported recovery post-cardiac events and helped manage chronic symptoms through supervised exercise. Conducted pre-exercise screening (e.g., manual BP, HR, telemetry, questionnaires) and assisted in clinical assessments and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests (CPETs), further developing clinical skills in cardiovascular care.

Conducted initial and follow-up assessments, and prescribed and delivered tailored exercise programs for clients aged 25-90 with diverse clinical needs, including cardiac, metabolic, musculoskeletal, cancer-related, chronic pain, and healthy ageing conditions. Gained hands-on experience in a supervised, learning-focused environment that supports evidence-based exercise rehabilitation.