Clinical Exercise Physiologist

Schuylkill•Allentown, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Exercise Physiologist supervises and oversees 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 on cardiac and/or high-risk patients and collaborates with physicians and other healthcare team members to provide high-quality diagnostic testing and interventions. The position is based at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest in an onsite setting. The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with rotating weekends.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology.
Strong knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology and the hemodynamic response to exercise, including endpoints for testing or intervention.
Strong knowledge of cardiac exercise protocols and the 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 well under stress and in emergency situations.
Ability to work interdependently.
Ability to use PC software programs.
Ability to provide patient education individually and in groups, as indicated.
Strong knowledge of cardiac risk factors and lifestyle modifications.
ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support), State of Pennsylvania, required upon hire.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support, State of Pennsylvania.
ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (or the listed ACSM exercise-professional certification), State of Pennsylvania, within one year, or CCRP (Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional), State of Pennsylvania, within one year.
Ability to lift and carry 25 pounds; frequent sitting, standing, and keyboard use. Patient-care activities may include kneeling, bending, squatting, and performing CPR.

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, and communicate with a physician when the ordered stress type, intervention appropriateness, or a change in the patient’s condition warrants discussion.
Prepare patients for testing or intervention by explaining the procedure, confirming understanding, and placing leads properly.
Supervise inpatient and/or outpatient treadmill exercise stress tests, nuclear exercise tests, nuclear pharmacological tests, stress echocardiography, and/or graded-progressive cardiopulmonary exercise testing.
Use critical judgment to monitor patients for inappropriate responses and ensure high-quality testing outcomes.
Evaluate patient anatomy and physiology, hemodynamics, and vital-sign responses during testing or intervention; detect abnormal responses, including blood pressure and arrhythmia responses.
Recognize testing and treatment-session endpoints, and determine when physician presence is appropriate.
Integrate exercise-testing data into documentation for the physician’s final report interpretation.
Perform Holter monitor scan analysis as needed.
Participate in and support supervision and onboarding of new employees and student interns.
Provide education on exercise, health, and lifestyle modification as appropriate.
Develop individualized exercise prescriptions for cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular patients based on clinical assessment and/or exercise stress-test results, and evaluate responses to exercise conditioning.