Exercise Physiologist – Cardiac Rehab

Exercise Physiologists conducts and evaluates all exercise stress tests for outpatients and inpatients based on physician orders, clinical assessments, and standard protocols. Develops exercise prescription and oversees exercise progression in patients with cardiovascular disease in a rehabilitative setting.

A caregiver in this position works the day shift 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:  

Stress testing

• Supervises all stress testing in the inpatient and outpatient setting.  Review history and physical (H&P) for test appropriateness.
• Required to have knowledge of cardiology, disease processes, multi-organ disease issues, and pharmacology as it relates to exercise.
• Proficient in 12-lead EKG interpretation and cardiac arrhythmia recognition.
• Recognizes contraindications to exercise and abnormal patient responses to exercise.
• Responds appropriately to all situations including exercise cessation and referral to medical professionals.
• Performs additional physiologic assessments as required (i.e. cardiopulmonary testing, PFTs, oximetry, ammonia PET studies 
• Responsible for coding daily procedures using current Medicare CPT and ICD10 guidelines.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

• Provides inpatient (Phase I) and outpatient (Phase II and maintenance) cardiac rehabilitation services to a variety of cardiovascular conditions.

• May provide patient testing before and after rehabilitation including strength, body composition, flexibility, balance and endurance.
• Provides exercise prescription for patients utilizing test data, patient status and current medication regimen; updates prescription according to patient response. Implements concepts of cardiac secondary prevention.
• May develop and will update cardiac rehab participants’ Individual Treatment Plans.
• Competency in blood pressure, lipid, diabetes, smoking cessation, weight management and psychosocial assessment/plan development/reassessment and symptom evaluation
• Competency in patient assessment skills such as blood pressure measurement, pulse taking, telemetry, pulse oximetry, blood glucose assessment, body composition
• Recognizes contraindications to exercise and abnormal patient responses to exercise.
• Responds appropriately to all situations including exercise cessation and referral to medical professionals.
• Provides exercise, cardiovascular health promotion and behavior change strategy information for patients, peers and the community which may include public speaking and education classes.
• Arrange for initial outpatient cardiac rehab evaluation, recurring outpatient cardiac rehab sessions and discharge from the program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:  

• Master's Degree in exercise physiology, kinesiology, nursing, or similar related field
• English required
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider.
• American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification is required within one year of hire date.
• Minimum of 3-6 months internship or equivalent work experience working with cardiopulmonary patients and their families

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include: 

• Experience with cardiac rehab or pulmonary rehab patients.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time and ability to help patients stand and walk.
• Will require some lifting, bending, twisting of upper extremity to help limited patients.
• Must be able to adapt to different room temperatures.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

Our caregivers continue to create the best outcomes for our patients across each of our facilities. Click the link and see how we’re dedicated to providing what matters most to you: https://jobs.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-2/