Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Therapist

Job Description:

The Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab Therapist is an entry level position that supports Cardiac and/or Pulmonary Rehabilitation by assisting with patient monitoring, implementation of prescribed exercise programs, and basic patient education. This role collaborates with the multidisciplinary care team to promote safe exercise participation, accurate documentation, and positive patient outcomes in a structured rehabilitation setting.

Essential Functions:

Demonstrates foundational knowledge of exercise principles for Cardiac and/or Pulmonary Rehabilitation and develops understanding of departmental policies, protocols, and procedures. Obtains and records patient information including medical history, medications, vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, blood glucose), and observed symptoms. Monitors patients during exercise sessions, recognizing changes in physiological or subjective response, and promptly reports concerns to supervising clinical staff.

Executes prescribed exercise programs as directed, assisting patients with appropriate equipment, workloads, and modalities based on established exercise prescriptions. Assists with and develops working knowledge of functional capacity testing (e.g., six-minute walk test, bike test, submaximal exercise test, etc.). Functions as a member of the multidisciplinary rehabilitation team, supporting day-to-day delivery of disease‑specific exercise and lifestyle interventions. Provides basic patient education and coaching, reinforcing safe exercise practices, symptom recognition, perceived exertion, and general lifestyle modification principles as directed.

Assists with inpatient mobility and activities of daily living per delegated plans of care, monitoring patient tolerance and vital signs during activity. Documents patient participation, observations, and clinical data accurately and timely in accordance with departmental standards developed to meet AACVPR accreditation guidelines. Participates in patient safety, quality improvement activities, equipment safety checks, and other duties as assigned, including assisting with orientation of new staff or students.

• Clinical assessment and monitoring
• EKG interpretation
• Symptom recognition
• Exercise programming
• Patient education and coaching
• Communication
• Patient Records Documentation
• Care coordination
• Technical proficiency to include use of rehab equipment, telemetry systems, and clinical tools

• Actively enrolled in a bachelor’s program (to be completed in 3-5 years) at an accredited institution in the fields of Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, Kinesiology
• Successfully completes a formal EKG interpretation and arrhythmia detection course within 6 months of hire
• Basic clinical monitoring skills, including measurement of vital signs and recognition of common exercise-related symptoms
• Foundational exercise instruction skills, including safe equipment use and cueing proper exercise technique
• Patient communication and education, using clear, supportive, and age-appropriate coaching strategies
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn electronic documentation systems and standard rehabilitation equipment
• Ability to work effectively on a team and follow directions from clinical staff
• Current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS-HCP)

• Current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) as required by facility
• PALS required for Pediatric programs

• Ongoing need for employees to see and read information, labels, assess patient needs, operate monitors, identify equipment and supplies
• Frequent interactions with patient care providers, patients, and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, alarms, needs, and issues quickly and accurately, particularly during emergency situations
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use and typing for documenting patient care, accessing needed information, medication preparation, etc.
• Expected to lift and utilize a full range of movements to transfer patients.
• Will also bend to retrieve, lift, and carry supplies and equipment. Typically includes items of varying weights, up to and including heavy items.
• Need to walk and assist with transporting/ambulating patients and obtaining and distributing supplies and equipment.
• Includes pushing/pulling gurneys and…