Exercise Physiologist

Job Summary

The Exercise Physiologist supports the health and wellness of patients by assessing fitness levels, prescribing safe and effective exercise programs, and providing education to promote long-term health improvements. This role collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to develop and adjust individualized care plans, ensuring optimal patient outcomes through exercise interventions, risk factor management, and education.

Essential Functions

• Assesses patients’ fitness levels and develops individualized exercise prescriptions based on physician orders, diagnostic testing, and patient goals.
• Supervises group and individual exercise sessions, ensuring safety, adherence to exercise protocols, and achievement of patient-specific goals.
• Monitors patient responses to exercise, including telemetry, oxygen saturation, and vital signs, and adjusts exercise plans accordingly.
• Educates patients and families on exercise techniques, health maintenance, and lifestyle modifications, addressing topics such as nutrition, weight management, diabetes control, and tobacco cessation.
• Collaborates with physicians, registered nurses, and other healthcare team members to optimize care plans and ensure continuity of care.
• Responds to medical emergencies within the rehabilitation setting, implementing emergency care protocols as needed.
• Participates in discharge planning, including reassessment, education on home exercise programs, and referrals to ancillary services.
• Demonstrates expertise in cardiac anatomy, biomechanics, pathophysiology, and risk factor modification to tailor interventions for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation participants.
• Maintains accurate documentation of patient assessments, exercise prescriptions, progress notes, and education provided.
• Actively contributes to the development and delivery of outpatient education classes to maximize program utilization and patient outcomes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, or related field required
• Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology, Training Exercise Science, or Allied Health field preferred or
• Other additional coursework related to Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation preferred
• 0-2 years of experience in cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation or a similar healthcare setting preferred
• 1-3 years of EKG and cardiac monitoring interpretation classes or experience preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation, and risk factor modification.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively educate and motivate patients and families.
• Proficiency in monitoring and interpreting telemetry, oxygen saturation, and other physiological responses to exercise.
• Ability to design and adjust exercise programs based on patient assessments, goals, and clinical progress.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for patients of all fitness levels and health conditions.
• Organizational and time management skills to handle multiple patients and responsibilities effectively.

Licenses and Certifications

• BCLS - Basic Life Support required
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support preferred
• ACSM - Clinical Exercise Specialist certification obtained within 1 year of employment preferred