Exercise Physiologist-Cardiology

The Exercise Physiologist is responsible for assessing, designing, and implementing individualized exercise programs to improve the physical health, functional capacity, and overall well-being of patients. This role involves working with individuals who have chronic diseases, injuries, or risk factors for cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, or musculoskeletal conditions, ensuring safe and effective exercise interventions.

Essential Job Functions:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments of patients’ health, fitness, and functional capacity, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, and musculoskeletal evaluation.
• Develop and implement individualized exercise programs based on assessment results, clinical guidelines, and patient goals.
• Monitor patients during exercise sessions, adjusting programs as needed to ensure safety, effectiveness, and progression.
• Educate patients on lifestyle modification, exercise techniques, and strategies for managing chronic conditions.
• Collaborate with physicians, physical therapists, dietitians, and other healthcare professionals to optimize patient outcomes.
• Maintain accurate documentation of patient assessments, progress, and program adjustments in accordance with organizational policies and regulatory standards.
• Participate in wellness, prevention, and rehabilitation programs, including cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, or diabetes management programs.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols, infection control practices, and emergency procedures.
• Stay current on industry trends, research, and best practices related to exercise physiology and patient care.

• The employee supports the hospital mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in required education for DNV programs as applicable to position (reference program education curriculum).
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education

Required: Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, or a related field.

Preferred: Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, or a related field.

Licenses/ certifications/ registrations

Required: Certification as an Exercise Physiologist (e.g., ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, CEP, or equivalent). BLS certification, ACLS certification

Preferred: N/A

Experience

Required: N/A

Preferred: Experience in clinical or rehabilitation settings preferred.

Other

• Knowledge of appropriate indications for exercise testing
• Knowledge of alternative physiological cardiovascular tests
• Knowledge of appropriate contraindications, risks, and risk assessment of testing (not limited to Bayes’ theorem and sensitivity/specificity, including concepts of absolute and relative risk)
• Knowledge to promptly recognize and treat complications of exercise testing
• Competence in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and successful completion of an AHA-sponsored course in advanced cardiovascular life support and renewal on a regular basis
• Knowledge of various exercise protocols and indications for each
• Knowledge of basic cardiovascular and exercise physiology, including hemodynamic response to exercise
• Knowledge of cardiac arrhythmias and the ability to recognize and treat serious arrhythmias
• Knowledge of cardiovascular drugs and how they can affect exercise performance, hemodynamics, and the ECG

• Knowledge of end points of exercise testing and indications to terminate exercise testing II. Additional cognitive skills needed to competently interpret exercise tests
• Knowledge of specificity, sensitivity, and diagnostic accuracy of exercise testing in different patient populations
• Knowledge of how to apply Bayes’ theorem to interpret test results
• Knowledge of electrocardiography and changes in the ECG that may result from exercise, hyperventilation, ischemia, hypertrophy, conduction disorders, electrolyte disturbances, and drugs
• Knowledge of conditions and circumstances that can cause false-positive, indeterminate, or false-negative test results
• Knowledge of prognostic value of exercise testing
• Knowledge of alternative or supplementary diagnostic procedures to exercise testing and when they should be used
• Knowledge of the concept of metabolic equivalent (MET) and estimation of exercise intensity in different modes of exercise

Physical Requirements:

The physical and sensory functions described below are essential to the successful performance of this position. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions. The position requires sufficient auditory ability to detect and respond to various sounds, including patient alarms and verbal communication. Clear and effective communication is essential, as is the ability to interact with patients, families, and healthcare team members. Visual acuity is necessary for observing patient conditions, reading documentation and monitors, and distinguishing colors for clinical purposes, such as identifying medications or safety indicators. Tactile perception is also important for assessing physical characteristics such as temperature, size, shape, or texture during patient care. Motor coordination is required for reaching, grasping, handling, and performing fine motor tasks necessary for the use of medical equipment and procedures. The position also involves occasional stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling when assisting patients or accessing equipment. Walking and standing are typically continuous throughout the shift. The role requires the ability to lift to 50 pounds independently and involves frequent pushing, pulling, carrying, or repositioning of objects or patients weighing up to 25 pounds. There may also be occasional lifting or transferring of individuals weighing over 100 pounds, with the expectation that appropriate lifting techniques, mechanical aids, or team assistance will be used to ensure safety. May to sit for long periods of time.

Working Conditions: