Exercise Physiologist Cardiac Rehab

VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

JOB DESCRIPTION

The position description is a guide to the critical duties and essential functions of the job, not an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, qualifications, physical demands, and work environment conditions. Position descriptions are reviewed and revised to meet the changing needs of the organization.

TITLE:

Exercise Physiologist Cardiac Rehab

JOB OVERVIEW:
This position will calculate exercise prescriptions accurately and conduct exercise sessions safely for cardiac rehab patients; design safe and effective strength training programs for cardiac rehab patients; and progress the patient's exercise program according to physical ability, limitations, heart rate, RPE ratings, medical condition, and department procedures.

DEPARTMENT:
Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

HOURS OF WORK:
Weekdays, 8 to 10 hours per day

RESPONSIBLE TO:
Wellness Services Manager

PREREQUISITES:

* Bachelor's degree in an Exercise or related field, required.

* Completion of a cardiac rehab internship or at least 1-year experience working in a cardiac rehab center preferred.

* Able to interpret EKG rhythms.

* Clear knowledge of medications that impact cardiovascular health and side effects associated when starting an exercise program.

QUALIFICATIONS:

* Demonstrates effective teaching skills.

* Demonstrates effective communication skills with a diverse population of age groups and medical conditions.

* Current CPR certification or eligible to take the CPR course within 90 days.

* Current ACLS certification or eligible to take the ACLS course immediately within 90 days.

UNIQUE PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENT, AND

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Requires ability to demonstrate stretching exercises, strength training, and cardiovascular exercise equipment; view and interpret telemetry monitors up to 15 EKGs at a time; document using SOAP format; listen to patients and explain instructions and teaching materials; plan and supervise exercise sessions. Must be able to take manual blood pressures of patients while they are exercising. Able to review medical records and identify history pertinent to the patient's care.

Must be able to work in cool temperatures of 65 degrees for up to 4 hours at a time and in a noisy environment around exercise machines. Must be able to handle a fast pace of work under a constantly changing environment.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Generic

Job Functions:

See Generic

Job Description for Clinical Support Partner

B. Essential Responsibilities and

Competencies:

* Calculate exercise prescriptions accurately and conduct exercise sessions safely for cardiac rehab patients.

* Progress the patient's exercise program according to physical ability, limitations, heart rate, RPE ratings, medical condition, and department procedures.

* Assist the cardiac rehab nurse with assessment and management of significant medical situations. This would include monitoring patients for angina, arrhythmias, and other significant problems.

* Design safe and effective strength training programs for cardiac rehab patients.

* Instruct patients on safe and proper use of exercise equipment.

* Conduct safe and accurate sub-maximum treadmill tests to assess appropriate target heart rate prescriptions.

* Review exercise records and update exercise prescriptions on an ongoing basis.

* Monitor EKG telemetry, recognize and analyze basic EKG rhythms, and enter exercise and clinical information in the cardiac rehab monitoring system.

* Prepare patient progress reports for the attending physicians according to the time frames outlines in the departmental procedures.

* Provide individual and group education to cardiac rehab patients and family members.

* Maintain current cardiac literature and teaching materials for Cardiac Rehab patients.

* Work with the electronic medical record (EPIC) by entering patient demographic information and scheduling information, scanning documents, scheduling appointments, documenting encounters, and entering other information as assigned.

* Work with the team to design innovative services for Cardiac Rehab.

* Work with the manager to maintain AACVPR Cardiac Rehab certification by accomplishing required competencies, outcome studies, program records and quality, emergency in-services, and other requirements.

* Work with the other CR staff to plan marketing strategies for referring health professionals.

* Inform and/or collaborate with physicians about new Cardiac Rehab procedures prior to implementation.

* Work with the manager to coordinate aspects of the Cardiac Rehab program related to exercise physiology:

* Review and revise exercise prescription protocols according to AACVPR and ACSM standards.

* Work in conjunction with the nurses to coach the exercise staff on modifying exercise plans and prescriptions for individual patients, particularly those with complicated conditions.

* Provide staff training and assistance for accomplishing annual AACVPR certification requirements.

* Work with other exercise instructors to review and…