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Establish trust and rapport with clients using evidence-based coaching strategies in order to build and maintain collaborative relationships and elicit information about client goals, values, and beliefs
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Use the principles of client-centered coaching (e.g., open-ended questions, affirmations, reflective listening, summarizing)
Listen with an intent to understand each client’s perspective (e.g., active listening, reflective listening)
Give and interpret verbal and nonverbal cues effectively
Establish a positive client–coach relationship
Foster a positive and inclusive environment for effective communication
Honor the client as the expert in their own life
Foster a sense of community among participants in group settings (e.g., social support, collective learning)
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Guide clients to identify strengths, barriers, and available resources using established methods and appropriate tools in order to support them in making sustainable health behavior changes
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Identify and address barriers to change
Identify and encourage facilitators of change
Support clients in their discovery of personal strengths (e.g., character strengths survey, personality tests)
Assist clients in identifying and using available resources
Collaborate with clients to manage setbacks and celebrate successes
Support clients in gaining insight and awareness of their health behavior–related actions
Support clients in gaining an understanding of their role in making healthful choices
Empower clients to be accountable for their decisions and actions (e.g., reflections, self-tracking)
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Facilitate client-directed behavior change using evidence-based coaching strategies in order to promote and enhance well-being
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Apply theories and models of behavior change
Identify appropriate coaching strategies to promote self-efficacy
Use evidence-based coaching strategies to promote learning (e.g., elicit-provide-elicit)
Use evidence-based coaching strategies to promote behavior change (e.g., motivational interviewing)
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Gather information about the client using interviews and other methods in order to select relevant tools and assessments in collaboration with the client
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Conduct interviews (e.g., motivational interviewing, open- vs. closed-ended questions, active listening, listening for change talk)
Select appropriate assessment tools based on gathered information from client interviews
Identify social determinants of health specific to the client
Identify a client’s health literacy
Communicate with clients about the selection, use, and interpretation of assessments
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Conduct client-centered assessments in order to obtain health, medical, wellness, and lifestyle information and discover client values, strengths, and beliefs
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Conduct interviews (e.g., motivational interviewing, open- vs. closed-ended questions, active listening, listening for change talk)
Select appropriate assessment tools based on gathered information from client interviews
Identify social determinants of health specific to the client
Identify a client’s health literacy
Communicate with clients about the selection, use, and interpretation of assessments
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Interpret results in order to identify the need for medical clearance and/or referrals, establish baselines, and facilitate collaborative plan development
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Communicate with clients about the selection, use, and interpretation of assessments
Interpret assessments, including, but not limited to, physical activity, nutrition, lifestyle, wellness, medical and health history, and behavioral health
Differentiate types of risk factors (i.e., modifiable vs. non-modifiable)
Identify social determinants of health specific to the client
Identify the need for referral
Refer to appropriate healthcare professionals
Make appropriate referrals
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Establish the client’s goals and objectives collaboratively using assessment data to guide the development of the plan
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Incorporate client values, strengths, and vision in setting goals and objectives
Identify appropriate behavior-change strategies based on assessment findings
Use motivational interviewing with clients for goal setting
Facilitate client-centered goal setting
Guide clients to prioritize health behaviors and related goals
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Co-create a client-centered plan consistent with client values, strengths, and beliefs in order to support the client in achieving their goals and objectives
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Guide client-centered improvement of dimensions of health and wellness
Use motivational interviewing with clients for plan development
Select appropriate tools for plan development
Facilitate client-centered plan development
Incorporate health, medical, and safety considerations into behavior-change plans
Identify and exploring triggers and barriers that affect sustainable change
Develop a culturally responsive plan that reflects client values, beliefs, and vision
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Integrate relevant community resources and health professionals into the behavior change plan in order to support the client in achieving their goals and objectives
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Build a referral network
Collaborate with other health professionals (e.g., communicating, reporting client updates)
Refer clients to appropriate community and professional resources
Guide clients to appropriate sources of information
Foster client self-management
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Implement client-centered plans collaboratively using evidence-based coaching practices in order to facilitate client progress toward their healthful lifestyle and behavior change goals
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Apply evidence-based coaching strategies
Determine each client’s attitudes, preferences, and readiness to change as it relates to desired outcomes
Provide relevant information and guidance to clients
Leverage available technology in program implementation (e.g., telehealth, digital, apps)
Facilitate behavior change
Identify barriers to sustainable change in collaboration with the client
Incorporate health, medical, and safety considerations into behavior-change plans
Apply evidence-based coaching strategies
Determine each client’s attitudes, preferences, and readiness to change as it relates to desired outcomes
Provide relevant information and guidance to clients
Leverage available technology in program implementation (e.g., telehealth, digital, apps)
Facilitate behavior change
Identify barriers to sustainable change in collaboration with the client
Incorporate health, medical, and safety considerations into behavior-change plans
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Provide the client with opportunities for further learning and feedback on health topics, behavior-change strategies, skill development, and overcoming barriers in order to empower and support the client in implementing the plan
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Engage clients in the change process
Incorporate support systems into the plan
Identify appropriate opportunities to provide clients with information, education, and resources
Identify and address barriers to change and goal achievement
Use motivational interviewing
Provide effective feedback
Provide information and resources within the coaching process
Facilitate self-efficacy and adherence
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Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan in collaboration with clients and stakeholders to consistently monitor outcomes, support progress toward program goals, and refer as needed
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Recognize changes in client behaviors and health status
Leverage available technology and data (e.g., telehealth, digital, apps)
Reevaluate client goals
Determine each client’s attitudes, preferences, and readiness to change as they relate to desired outcomes
Identify and address barriers to sustainable change in collaboration with the client
Recognize and address the client’s triggers, lapses, and relapses
Select appropriate self-monitoring techniques
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Adjust client-centered plans collaboratively based on ongoing program evaluations in order to address barriers to change and encourage progress, accountability, motivation, and learning
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Interpret and communicate progress toward client goals
Collaborate with clients to modify goals and adjust plans
Collaborate with clients to identify strategies for overcoming barriers
Collaborate with clients to develop coping strategies
Empower clients to take responsibility for their decisions and actions
Support progress toward goals (e.g., celebrating success, using affirmations)
Implement lapse-prevention strategies
Adjust methods of delivering behavior-change program components (e.g., in-person, telehealth, digital, group settings)
Display empathy
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Adhere to responsible business practices, legal requirements, the ACE Code of Ethics, and scope-of-practice guidelines in order to maintain professional standards and manage risk
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Establish and maintain professional and personal boundaries
Build a referral network
Recognize when to refer clients
Recognize, prevent, and manage risk
Establish and maintain responsible business and marketing practices (e.g., use of social media, technology, email, communications)
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Maintain accurate and confidential records adhering to applicable standards, guidelines, and laws in order to ensure quality care and protect client privacy
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Retain client information in a secure and confidential manner
Communicate professionally and with respect for client confidentiality
Leverage available technology for secure and confidential storage of client information
Adhere to appropriate workplace guidelines and applicable laws
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Respond to emergencies, potential safety hazards, and high-risk situations by developing and following policy and procedure in order to ensure safety and reduce liability
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Recognize the need to activate emergency medical services
Recognize, mitigate, and manage risk
Create and execute emergency action plans
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Enhance professional competence by staying current with health and wellness technology, research, and evidence-based coaching practice in order to build proficiency as a health coach and optimize client outcomes
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Identify sources of credible information
Apply current evidence-based information to practice
Leverage available technology in health coaching
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Create an inclusive and equitable environment for diverse individuals and respond to their needs in order to promote behavior change, well-being, and long-term positive health outcomes
Assessment Strategies
You pass exam with a 70% or better (industry standard)
Skill Demonstration
Criteria
Demonstrate a commitment to culturally and linguistically appropriate health coaching
Provide an inclusive environment
Recognize social determinants of health and their influence on health equity
Participate effectively as a member of a diverse interdisciplinary team