Exercise Physiologist – Cardiac Rehab (Outpatient)
About The Position
The Exercise Physiologist supports the health and wellness of patients by assessing fitness levels, prescribing safe and effective exercise programs, and providing education to promote long-term health improvements. This role collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to develop and adjust individualized care plans, ensuring optimal patient outcomes through exercise interventions, risk factor management, and education. Vanderbilt Clarksville Hospital is seeking an Exercise Physiologist to join our Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation program as part of the Vanderbilt Health system. This role supports adult cardiac patients recovering from open-heart surgery, STEMI, cardiac catheterization, stent placement, and an increasing population of LVAD and transplant-related patients connected to Vanderbilt’s advanced cardiovascular services. This position is primarily focused on leading structured cardiac rehabilitation exercise classes, which make up approximately 90% of the role, with the remaining 10% dedicated to patient assessments and evaluations. Clinicians typically lead three to four classes per day, with up to six classes on Thursdays. Classes generally consist of 5–10 patients per session, with patient groupings scheduled based on convenience rather than acuity. The Exercise Physiologist works closely with a registered nurse and the interdisciplinary rehab team to monitor patient response to exercise, ensure safety, support recovery goals, and deliver a consistent, high-quality outpatient experience. This role offers the opportunity to build strong patient relationships while working within a predictable schedule in a supportive clinical environment.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, or a related field
- Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist (ACSM-CEP) – required
- Minimum of one year of cardiac-related experience in an outpatient, acute care, or skilled nursing setting
- Strong patient-facing communication skills and comfort leading group exercise sessions
- Knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and exercise response in cardiac populations
- Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist ACSM - Certification - Others
- Relevant Work Experience
- Bachelor's (Required)
Nice To Haves
- Experience working in outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs
- Familiarity with ScottCare cardiac rehabilitation documentation systems (VersaCare or Aermos)
- Experience working with post–open heart, STEMI, stent, LVAD, or transplant-adjacent patient populations
- Additional cardiac or clinical exercise certifications
Responsibilities
- Assess patients’ functional capacity and develop individualized exercise prescriptions based on physician orders, diagnostic testing, and patient goals
- Lead and supervise group cardiac rehabilitation exercise sessions, ensuring patient safety and adherence to established protocols
- Continuously monitor patient response during exercise, including telemetry, vital signs, oxygen saturation, and reported symptoms
- Modify exercise intensity and progression based on patient tolerance, clinical presentation, and approved protocols
- Provide education to patients and families related to exercise performance, lifestyle modification, and long-term cardiac health
- Collaborate with registered nurses, physicians, and other members of the healthcare team to support continuity of care
- Participate in reassessments, progress tracking, and discharge planning, including education on home exercise programs
- Assesses patients’ fitness levels and develops individualized exercise prescriptions based on physician orders, diagnostic testing, and patient goals.
- Supervises group and individual exercise sessions, ensuring safety, adherence to exercise protocols, and achievement of patient-specific goals.
- Monitors patient responses to exercise, including telemetry, oxygen saturation, and vital signs, and adjusts exercise plans accordingly.
- Educates patients and families on exercise techniques, health maintenance, and lifestyle modifications, addressing topics such as nutrition, weight management, diabetes control, and tobacco cessation.
- Collaborates with physicians, registered nurses, and other healthcare team members to optimize care plans and ensure continuity of care.
- Responds to medical emergencies within the rehabilitation setting, implementing emergency care protocols as needed.
- Participates in discharge planning, including reassessment, education on home exercise programs, and referrals to ancillary services.
- Demonstrates expertise in cardiac anatomy, biomechanics, pathophysiology, and risk factor modification to tailor interventions for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation participants.
- Maintains accurate documentation of patient assessments, exercise prescriptions, progress notes, and education provided.
- Actively contributes to the development and delivery of outpatient education classes to maximize program utilization and patient outcomes.
Benefits
- medical
- dental
- vision coverage
- retirement plans
- paid time off
- access to professional development resources
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
