Exercise Physiologist - PD

Salinas Valley Health•Salinas, CA

10d

About The Position

The Exercise Physiologist works in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department under the supervision of the Manager, Cardiology and Cardiac Wellness. The role assesses, plans, implements, evaluates, and supervises individualized care and group exercise sessions. It provides patient education about cardiac disease and other chronic conditions, including heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiac risk-factor management, post-myocardial infarction and post-surgery care, and diabetes. Care is individualized to patients’ age-appropriate and developmental needs, and the Exercise Physiologist may direct co-workers in implementing the plan of care. The role collaborates with physicians, patients, families, and other health team members and uses positive communication to support care delivery. The Exercise Physiologist completes patient intake assessments with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Staff RN, develops and coordinates plans of care, evaluates patient responses, and participates in discharge planning and patient/family teaching. Diabetes self-management education is provided to patients at risk for diabetes and those with Type I or Type II diabetes, using evidence-based standards recommended by the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators. The role assesses each diabetes patient, collaborates on self-management plans, provides education in psychosocial, nutritional, and exercise areas, reassesses goals and outcomes at least every 30 days or as needed, and documents education in the patient’s Individual Treatment Plan. The position includes exercise prescription assessment, interpretation of heart-rate and blood-pressure responses during exercise, recognition and reporting of cardiac, respiratory, and musculoskeletal symptoms, and participation on the Code Blue Team under its leader or Cardiac Rehabilitation Staff RNs. The Exercise Physiologist communicates patient program information, progress, orders, and treatment to staff, patients, and physicians; completes required documentation, including progress notes on the LSI System; and contributes to safe, effective, cost-conscious care. The role also participates in professional development, committees, performance improvement, departmental goals, and other duties as assigned. Due to the small, closed unit, the employee agrees to flex up hours during other staff vacations, education programs, or meetings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) from an accredited university in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or Sports Medicine.
Current BLS/Healthcare Provider status per American Heart Association standards.
Two years of experience participating in full laboratory exercise stress testing with oxygen uptake, pulmonary function testing, body composition, and client/patient counseling.
At least two years of experience with exercise prescription calculations.
At least two years of experience in exercise blood-pressure monitoring and exercise telemetry monitoring.
Knowledge acquired through continuing education related to cardiac rehabilitation, exercise physiology, exercise prescription, cardiovascular conditioning and pathophysiology, cardiac risk factors and modifications, and secondary prevention strategies for coronary artery disease.
Substantial knowledge of cardiac risk factors and treatment, and current principles, theories, and practices related to cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, or Adult Fitness/Cardiac Rehabilitation.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
ACSM Exercise Specialist credential.
Experience with high-risk populations in relation to exercise prescription.

Responsibilities

Assess, plan, implement, evaluate, and supervise individualized care and group exercise sessions in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department.
Complete patient intake assessments with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Staff RN and document them in the patient record.
Develop, coordinate, and evaluate plans of care with the RN, physicians, and other health team members, considering age-appropriate and developmental needs.
Participate in discharge planning and provide patient and family teaching.
Provide diabetes self-management education using evidence-based ADA and AADE standards; assess patients, develop self-management strategies, deliver education, reassess goals and results at least every 30 days or as needed, and document education in the Individual Treatment Plan.
Assess exercise prescriptions and interpret heart-rate and blood-pressure responses during exercise therapy sessions.
Recognize cardiac, respiratory, and musculoskeletal symptoms and report them to the RN.
Participate in the Code Blue Team under the direction of the Code Blue Team Leader and/or Cardiac Rehabilitation Staff RNs.
Communicate accurately and promptly with staff, patients, and physicians about patient programs, progress, orders, and treatment.
Complete required documentation, including progress notes on the LSI System.
Facilitate the physiological, psychosocial, and spiritual care of patients and use positive communication to support conflict resolution and teamwork.
Maintain professional standards through in-services, committees, and performance improvement activities.
Contribute to cost-effective patient care by monitoring use of time, equipment, and supplies.
Follow safety policies and procedures and adapt to changes in hospital or unit activities.
Actively participate in achieving departmental goals and serve as a role model for patients.
Flex up hours during other staff vacations, education programs, or meetings as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.