Exercise Specialist

University of Utah Health•Salt Lake City, UT

18h

About The Position

This position designs, implements, supervises, and evaluates exercise therapy for rehabilitating patients and apparently healthy populations to restore physical functioning and promote patient independence. The role works with multidisciplinary team members to provide exercise services, support cardiopulmonary rehabilitation operations, contribute to patient and staff education, and assist with research and program development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Exercise and Sports Science, or a related field, or equivalency.
Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system; must be obtained within 30 days of hire.
Additional license requirements as determined by the hiring department.
Ability to perform the essential functions of the position and provide care to the population served.
Knowledge of life-span growth and development principles and ability to assess patient status data and provide care in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
Ability to interpret basic ECG rhythm.
Ability to cooperate with other healthcare professionals.
Human relations and effective communication skills.
Ability to meet the physical and working-condition requirements with or without an accommodation, including moving patients or objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Certification as an Exercise Specialist.
One year of rehabilitation and exercise testing experience.
ACLS may be required by some departments.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ abilities and limitations by reviewing medical records and physician notes.
Conduct pre-exercise testing interviews and prepare patients for tests.
Use exercise testing equipment and apply protocols, indications, contraindications, and termination criteria for graded exercise testing.
Record, analyze, and interpret test results and prepare exercise prescriptions.
Administer therapeutic exercises and other techniques to improve functional capacity, exercise tolerance and endurance, muscle strength and endurance, and coordination in rehabilitating patients.
Evaluate patients’ hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and symptomatic responses to exercise and assess whether those responses 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 and maintaining referral patterns within the organization and with Salt Lake and regional hospitals.
Assist with daily cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program operations and long-term growth planning.
Arrange patient follow-up and correspond with patients and referring physicians during rehabilitation and after discharge.
May assist with program development for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, employee fitness and health, and facility utilization.