DescriptionJob 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
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