Exercise Physiologist, Cardiopulmonary Rehab - Per Diem, Egg Harbor Township

Virtua Health•Egg Harbor, WI

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Exercise Physiologist participates in program planning, supervision, cardiac testing, and counseling of patients enrolled in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. The role collaborates with physicians to provide diagnostic testing, interprets EKGs, establishes initial individualized exercise prescriptions, supports patient safety when using exercise equipment, and manages care within scope of practice for patients in supervised exercise training for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and during cardiac testing. The position also assists with hemodynamic and physical measurements, emergency management, patient-outcome data, and community education projects. The Exercise Physiologist may perform outpatient routine and specialized stress tests, monitor and document patient responses, and interpret EKG and other objective signs and symptoms. The role is responsible for PAD program case management, contributes to individualized treatment plans for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation patients, and coordinates with physicians when medical attention or further testing is needed. The position also helps maintain exercise equipment and related manuals, serving as the primary liaison with Biomedical Engineering.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology or Exercise Science from an accredited school or university.
At least one year of experience in a hospital or fitness setting.
ACLS certification.
Completion of an EKG course.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree, preferred in a cardiac setting.
ACSM certification preferred.
Specialized training in cardiovascular disease or cardiac-unit experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Participate in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program planning, supervision, and patient counseling.
Perform cardiac testing, including outpatient treadmill exercise stress tests, nuclear exercise stress tests, pharmacologic stress tests, and stress echocardiography, as applicable.
Collaborate with physicians to deliver diagnostic testing, interpret EKGs, and establish individualized initial exercise prescriptions.
Promote patient safety when patients use exercise equipment and manage care within scope of practice during cardiac testing and supervised exercise training for PAD.
Assist with hemodynamic and physical measurements and emergency management within scope of practice.
Maintain current knowledge of exercise physiology and cardiology EKG rhythms, and advise program leadership and professional staff on safe program practices.
Interpret objective signs and symptoms, including telemetry, and modify exercise accordingly.
Monitor patient vital signs at rest, during exercise, and after exercise, including blood pressure and heart rate/rhythm responses and symptoms.
Evaluate and document EKG findings, functional exercise capacity, blood pressure response, arrhythmias, symptoms, test termination reason, ST changes, and overall stress-test impression.
Enter, report, and analyze patient-outcome data and use it to support departmental performance-improvement projects.
Manage all aspects of the PAD program, including case management.
Assist with case management and contribute to individualized treatment plans for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation patients.
Review charts before cardiac testing; explain exams to patients and address questions or concerns.
Follow established protocols to request physician orders or obtain medical attention when patients are in distress or other issues arise; collaborate with physicians about next steps or further testing.
Maintain exercise equipment as the primary liaison with Biomedical Engineering; recommend repairs, replacements, or additional equipment as needed.
Maintain equipment manuals in accordance with Joint Commission requirements.