Exercise Physiologist I - Pediatrics Cardiology

Washington University in St Louis • St Louis, WA

5d

About The Position

The Exercise Physiologist I assesses pediatric patients’ health and fitness needs and oversees outpatient diagnostic testing in collaboration with physicians and other health professionals. The role requires empathy and strong communication skills when working with people with a wide range of physical, emotional, and cognitive abilities, including those experiencing pain or life-limiting conditions.

As an integral member of the Cardiac Rehabilitation team, the position supports patients’ functional recovery, encourages participation in Phases II and III of rehabilitation, and provides ongoing cardiovascular risk-factor education and interventions. The role also contributes to exercise services, patient and staff education, research activities, referral development, and patient follow-up.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, or a combination of education and/or experience that may substitute for the minimum education requirement.
• Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Online BLS certifications without a skills-assessment component do not meet the requirement.
• No specific work experience is required.

Nice To Haves

• Skills in assessment testing, customer relationships, customer service, exercise physiology, exercise programming, fitness equipment, interpersonal communication, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, oral communications, sports science, and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ abilities and limitations by reviewing medical records and physicians’ notes.
• Conduct pre-exercise testing interviews and prepare patients for testing.
• Select and use testing equipment and protocols, applying indications, contraindications, and termination criteria for graded exercise testing.
• Record, analyze, and interpret test results and prepare appropriate exercise prescriptions.
• Administer therapeutic exercises and other techniques to improve functional capacity, exercise tolerance and endurance, muscle strength and endurance, and coordination.
• Evaluate patients’ hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and symptomatic responses to exercise and assess whether they are appropriate for the exercise intensity and endurance.
• Work with multidisciplinary team members to design, implement, supervise, and evaluate outcomes for exercise services.
• Assist in developing and providing educational materials and programs for staff and patients.
• Collaborate with the department manager and medical staff on data collection, statistical analysis, and the development and implementation of research projects.
• Assist in establishing new referral patterns and maintaining existing ones.
• Arrange patient follow-up and maintain correspondence with patients and referring physicians during rehabilitation and after discharge.
• Assist with program development for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, employee fitness and health, and facility utilization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays or coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Eligible employees may participate in a defined contribution 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, with employee and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, an employee assistance program, financial resources, and access to dietitians.
• Four weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child and family-care resources.
• Tuition benefits for employees and family members, including dependent undergraduate tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level