Clinical Exercise Specialist-Cardiac Rehab

Hurley Medical Center•Flint, MI

About The Position

GENERAL SUMMARY : The Clinical Exercise Specialist provides direct care and guidance to patients and families with cardiovascular disease and those whom are at higher risk for developing heart disease. Responsible for performing an age-specific assessment designed to gather data relevant to the patient’s individual needs and completes the cardiac rehab individual treatment plan within designated time frame. Assists with the cardiac monitoring of participants, instructs participants on proper use of the exercise equipment, adjusts exercise prescriptions as indicated and assesses the participant’s response to exercise. Education to participant and family members is provided by the cardiac rehab team, incorporating knowledge of cardiovascular disease and lifestyle modification in individual and group settings. Level of duties may in part be dependent upon level of education and experience and will be assigned within the Cardiac Rehab or other clinically-based exercise programs at the Cardiac Rehab Clinical Program Director’s discretion. SUPERVISION RECEIVED : Reports to the Cardiac Rehab program director. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES : Works with Cardiac Rehab team to conduct the outpatient phase 2 cardiac rehab monitored program and outpatient phase 3 medically supervised exercise program. May also assist with employee, corporate and community wellness programs. Intake of cardiac rehab referrals and obtaining physician signed referrals. Performs an age-specific assessment designed to gather data relevant to the patient’s individual exercise needs and completes the comprehensive cardiac rehab individual treatment plan within the designated time frame. Applies telemetry monitors in phase 2 cardiac rehab and interprets EKG/heart rhythms. Assesses physiological responses to exercise and ability to handle medical emergencies. Has knowledge and instructs participants on the use of exercise equipment and makes necessary individual adjustments. Identifies educational needs and provides the teaching necessary for each participant by interacting effectively with participants through both oral and written communication. Maintains familiarity with cardiac medications in their use, administration, side-effects and drug interactions for participant safety. Willingness to identify problems and participate in problem solving process with CR team. Recommends appropriate referrals to Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Dietitian, Pharmacy and Behavioral Medicine. Needs to be familiar with cardiac stress testing and other related testing procedures. Communicates effectively amongst cardiac rehab team and referring providers. Demonstrates proficiency in regards to the computer documentation of cardiac rehab exercise sessions and any other related computerized participant information and documentation. Continuing education required in order to stay current in the field of cardiac rehab through conferences, webinars, in-services and journals. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology or Bachelor’s degree in exercise science (with a concentration in cardiac rehab preferred).
BLS certification required.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent human relation skills as demonstrated by the ability to interface positively with all customers and employees.
Must acquire the knowledge and maintain established competency levels to perform essential professional practice.
Must have proficient computer skills with the ability to operate within a Windows environment.
Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, under stress, with minimal supervision and to exercise initiative and judgment in analyzing, organizing, planning, prioritizing, scheduling and coordinating work with others.
Needs to possess a high level of intelligence, integrity, comprehension and sense of responsibility.

Nice To Haves

ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist or ACSM Clinical Exercise Specialist preferred.
ACLS certification preferred.
Previous cardiac rehab experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Works with Cardiac Rehab team to conduct the outpatient phase 2 cardiac rehab monitored program and outpatient phase 3 medically supervised exercise program.
May also assist with employee, corporate and community wellness programs.
Intake of cardiac rehab referrals and obtaining physician signed referrals.
Performs an age-specific assessment designed to gather data relevant to the patient’s individual exercise needs and completes the comprehensive cardiac rehab individual treatment plan within the designated time frame.
Applies telemetry monitors in phase 2 cardiac rehab and interprets EKG/heart rhythms.
Assesses physiological responses to exercise and ability to handle medical emergencies.
Has knowledge and instructs participants on the use of exercise equipment and makes necessary individual adjustments.
Identifies educational needs and provides the teaching necessary for each participant by interacting effectively with participants through both oral and written communication.
Maintains familiarity with cardiac medications in their use, administration, side-effects and drug interactions for participant safety.
Willingness to identify problems and participate in problem solving process with CR team.
Recommends appropriate referrals to Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Dietitian, Pharmacy and Behavioral Medicine.
Needs to be familiar with cardiac stress testing and other related testing procedures.
Communicates effectively amongst cardiac rehab team and referring providers.
Demonstrates proficiency in regards to the computer documentation of cardiac rehab exercise sessions and any other related computerized participant information and documentation.
Continuing education required in order to stay current in the field of cardiac rehab through conferences, webinars, in-services and journals.
Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.