Clinical Exercise Physiologist

Lehigh Valley Health Network • Hellertown, PA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Exercise Physiologist supervises inpatient and/or outpatient stress testing and exercise or physical fitness testing in lieu of physician presence. The role assesses the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of exercise in cardiac and other high-risk patient populations and collaborates with physicians and other healthcare team members to deliver high-quality diagnostic testing and interventions.

The position determines appropriate testing protocols based on patient history, evaluation, resting EKG, and test indication; prepares patients and explains procedures; supervises testing and monitors patient responses; recognizes abnormal responses, testing endpoints, and when physician presence is appropriate; and documents testing data for physician interpretation. The role may also analyze Holter monitor scans, support onboarding and supervision of new employees and student interns, and educate patients about exercise, health, and lifestyle modification.

This is an onsite day-shift position at the Health Center at Hellertown. The work schedule is variable, 8 hours per day, 3 days per week.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology.
• Strong knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology and hemodynamic response to exercise, including endpoints for testing or intervention.
• Strong knowledge of cardiac exercise protocols and ability to select the most appropriate protocol for patient testing or intervention.
• Strong knowledge of cardiac rhythms and arrhythmia recognition.
• Critical-thinking and judgment skills, including the ability to evaluate patient responses to exercise during testing or intervention.
• Ability to multitask and work effectively under stress and in emergency situations.
• Ability to work interdependently.
• Ability to use PC software programs.
• Ability to develop individualized exercise prescriptions for cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular patients based on clinical assessment results and/or exercise stress tests.
• Ability to evaluate patients' responses to exercise conditioning.
• Strong patient-education teaching abilities for individual and group instruction as indicated.
• Strong knowledge of cardiac risk factors and lifestyle modifications.
• Pennsylvania ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support).
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Pennsylvania, required upon hire.
• ACSM-Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist, ACSM-Certified Exercise Physiologist, or ACSM-Certified Personal Trainer credential in Pennsylvania within one year, or CCRP (Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional) credential through AACVPR in Pennsylvania within one year.

Nice To Haves

• Clinical internship in diagnostic stress testing with a diseased population.
• Basic and advanced ECG courses, including performance of a 12-lead ECG evaluation and dysrhythmia recognition.
• One year of cardiovascular stress-testing experience or one year of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation experience.

Responsibilities

• Determine the appropriate stress exercise protocol based on the patient's medical history, evaluation, resting EKG, and test or intervention indication.
• Recognize indications and contraindications for stress testing or intervention.
• Communicate with a physician when the ordered stress type, appropriateness of an intervention, or changes in the patient's condition require discussion.
• Prepare patients for testing or intervention, explain procedures, confirm understanding, and place leads properly.
• Supervise inpatient and/or outpatient treadmill exercise stress testing, nuclear exercise testing, nuclear pharmacological testing, stress echocardiography, and/or graded-progressive cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
• Monitor patients during testing, apply critical judgment, and identify inappropriate or abnormal responses, including blood pressure and arrhythmia responses.
• Evaluate patients' anatomy, physiology, hemodynamics, and vital-sign responses during testing or intervention.
• Recognize endpoints for testing and treatment sessions.
• Integrate exercise testing data into documentation for final physician interpretation.
• Recognize when physician presence is appropriate during testing or intervention.
• Perform Holter monitor scan analysis as needed.
• Participate in and support supervision and onboarding of new employees and student interns.
• Educate patients about exercise, health, and lifestyle modification as appropriate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time