Exercise Physiologist- Cardiac Rehabilitation

Reports to:       Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Director

Position Summary      

The Exercise Physiologists (EP) is the professional, who assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates patient care exercise and activities. The EP collaborates with other clinical associates and healthcare disciplines to meet individual needs using appropriate resources to insure quality, safe, and cost-effective care. Nurtures a working relationship with physicians, nursing staff and other disciplines involved in the care of the patient/family.

Job Responsibilities

• Prescribes, educates and instructs patients on appropriate exercises according to ACSM, AACVPR and AHA guidelines. Understands and calculates patient THR, MET levels, 6-minute walk test and other related calculations as applicable.
• Identifies barriers and makes adjustments to testing and exercise prescriptions. Identifies high risk and special populations. Educates patients. Progresses patients on a daily/weekly basis per protocol and or policy.
• Extensive knowledge of exercise physiology.
• Monitoring of patient telemetry sessions to include evaluation of EKG. pre/during/post. Reviews and edits reports. Interprets data. Appropriate follow through of identified problems to include proper documentation and patient follow-up.
• Meets needs of members in all programs by close monitoring of exercise floor. Maintains close customer contact; helps with problem solving, answering questions and giving encouragement.
• Participates in developing and conducting educational activities and projects of patients including documentation in patient portals and interdisciplinary care plans
• Participates in staff and community education as indicated
• Maintains knowledge of exercise equipment. Cleans and maintains equipment as per scheduled. Reports broken and malfunctioning equipment to appropriate department according to protocol.
• Performs Point of Care Testing within scope of licensure; accurately performs testing according to the approved procedure and limits testing to only those tests for which competency has been assessed and operator is deemed qualified by designated trainer.

Qualifications

            Education and Experience:  Completion of Exercise Science program with a Bachelor’s degree Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Physical Education or other healthcare related field. Maintain active ACLS certification.

            Knowledge:  Basic medical office procedures and medical terminology with concentration in cardiology; first aid measures; equipment, supplies and instruments used in a medical office; simple routine injections; universal blood and body fluid precautions; OSHA rules and regulations; various forms inherent to profession; patient confidentiality/HIPAA regulations.

            Abilities:  Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with staff members; create a responsive, caring environment for patients; respond promptly to physicians’ directions; maintain medical records in a concise and accurate manner; react quickly in emergency situations; recognize and prevent possible safety hazards; ensure proper maintenance of equipment; communicate clearly and facilitate patient education when warranted; act as advocate and assist physician in meeting the well-being needs of the cardiology patient; exercise independent judgment; perform functions that consistently fall within the legal boundaries of profession.