BBC Full-Time Exercise Specialist
About The Position
The Exercise Specialist provides clinical support to Cardiovascular Services and/or Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation. In Cardiovascular Services, the specialist performs physician-ordered non-invasive cardiology testing, including EKGs, cardiac stress tests, Holter and event monitoring, and related procedures. The specialist monitors and supervises tests, assists physicians during sensitive testing situations, and administers medications such as Lexiscan and Definity in accordance with department policy. In Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the specialist supervises Phase II and Phase III patients, develops and adjusts exercise prescriptions, assesses patient responses to exercise, and documents performance and treatment plans. The position also includes patient education, coordination of care, equipment monitoring and preparation, clerical tasks, and collaboration with physicians and other hospital staff. Employees providing direct patient care must demonstrate competencies specific to the population served.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science or a related field.
- Basic EKG and Advanced EKG courses must be completed satisfactorily within 12 months of hire.
- BLS certification required upon hire or within the first 90 days of employment.
- ACLS certification required within 6 months of hire.
- Employees providing direct patient care must demonstrate competencies specific to the population served.
- Ability to communicate effectively and work professionally with patients, managers, employees, physicians, customers, and team members.
- Strong organizational, assessment, and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, determine appropriate test protocols and endpoints, and recognize critical arrhythmias.
Nice To Haves
- One year of experience in exercise testing of low- and high-risk patients.
- Certification by the American College of Sports Medicine.
Responsibilities
- Perform physician-ordered non-invasive cardiology tests, including EKGs, stress tests, Holter monitoring, and event monitoring.
- Supervise stress tests and monitor patients for distress or abnormal EKG findings; inform physicians or other professional staff of abnormalities.
- Administer Lexiscan and Definity and perform related procedures according to department policy and protocol.
- Assess patients for test appropriateness, explain procedures and preparation, gather relevant clinical information, and discuss potential test alternatives with the ordering physician.
- Prepare rooms and patients for testing, place electrodes and leads, apply monitoring equipment, and start IV lines according to procedure.
- Apply Holter and event monitors, instruct patients in their use, and scan Holter recordings to identify irregularities for physician interpretation.
- Supervise Phase II and Phase III cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation patients and assess exercise response, heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose, rhythm, weight, medication changes, and symptoms.
- Develop, prescribe, and adjust patient exercise prescriptions and home exercise parameters; complete exercise evaluations and the exercise portion of individualized treatment plans for physician review.
- Complete intake assessments, reassessments, discharge paperwork, and timely documentation of patient status, performance, goals, charges, and treatment plans.
- Provide patient education, including exercise intensity, duration, and frequency, and explain rating of perceived exertion, shortness-of-breath, and pain scales.
- Coordinate patient care with physicians, staff, and insurance companies, including prior authorizations and case review meetings.
- Monitor equipment during testing and exercise, make adjustments as necessary, report equipment abnormalities, and perform minor preventive maintenance.
- Open and close testing or exercise rooms; prepare equipment and supplies, perform daily defibrillator and glucometer checks, clean and stock the department, and participate in team huddles.
- Perform clerical functions, including answering phones, scheduling cases, arranging transport, copying studies to CD, gathering patient demographic information, and sending daily schedules to other departments.
- Perform patient glucose testing when needed and respond appropriately to results.
- Demonstrate proficiency with PC applications, organization, patient assessment, critical thinking, recognition of critical arrhythmias, and effective communication and teamwork.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
