Exercise Physiologist

Sanford Health•Bemidji, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Exercise Physiologist utilizes scientific rationale to design, implement, and supervise exercise programming for individuals with chronic diseases, conditions, or physical limitations. This role involves providing physical conditioning, reconditioning, risk factor reduction, and education by prescribing, conducting, and evaluating cardiovascular and metabolic exercise programs under the supervision of a physician. The position requires researching physiological adaptations to physical activity, analyzing patient medical history to assess risk and determine appropriate exercise regimens, and performing fitness and stress tests using medical equipment. Key responsibilities include measuring vital health indicators like blood pressure, oxygen usage, and heart rhythm, developing personalized exercise programs, and conducting investigations into muscular activity responses. The Exercise Physiologist also performs dietary intake assessments, counsels on modifications, conducts weight management assessments, interprets lipid test values, and assists with diabetes management and tobacco cessation programs. They are responsible for developing risk reduction and behavior modification plans to minimize future health risks.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in exercise science, kinesiology, human performance and fitness human biology or a related field.
Possesses a thorough understanding of the physiological basis of activity and the ability to prescribe and instruct exercise according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) guidelines.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certified within 60 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience in exercise program planning and working with chronic diseases and illness.
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CCEP) certification within two years of hire.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification within the first year of hire (depending on location).

Responsibilities

Utilizes scientific rationale to design, implement and supervise exercise programming for those with chronic diseases, conditions or physical limitations.
Provides physical conditioning, reconditioning, risk factor reduction, and education by prescribing, conducting, and evaluating cardiovascular and metabolic exercise programs and physical exercise under the supervision of a physician.
Researches acute and chronic physiological adaptations to physical activity, gaining a full understanding of how a chronic disease affects an individual prior to recommending exercise.
Analyzes a patient's medical history to assess their risk during exercise and to determine the best possible exercise and fitness regimen for the patient.
Performs fitness and stress tests with medical equipment and analyzes the resulting patient data.
Measures blood pressure, oxygen usage, heart rhythm and other key patient health indicators.
Develops exercise programs to improve patient's health.
Conducts controlled investigations of responses and adaptations to muscular activity.
Performs dietary intake assessments and counsels on modifications needed, referring to dietitian as necessary in order to achieve goals.
May perform 12 lead EKGs/monitors (depending on location).
Conducts weight management assessments and calculates body mass index (BMI) to determine proper category; develops goals for weight loss.
Interprets values of lipid tests such as low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Assists with diabetes management and tobacco cessation programs.
Develops risk reduction and behavior modification plans to minimize future risk of chronic diseases and illness.