Clinical Exercise Specialist - Cardiac Rehabilitation
Status: Part-time, 70 hours per pay period
Hours: 7:00am-2:00pm, Monday through Friday; however, hours could fluctuate based on the needs of the department
Reports To: Cardiac Rehab Coordinator/Exercise Physiologist
Position Purpose:
The Cardiac Rehab Clinical Exercise Specialist provides direct care and guidance to patients and families with cardiovascular disease and those whom are at higher risk for developing heart disease. He/she performs an age-specific assessment designed to gather data relevant to the patient’s individual needs and completes the cardiac rehab individual treatment plan. This includes assessment and evaluation of cognitive, social, functional and psychological status. The Clinical Exercise Specialist assists with the cardiac monitoring of patients, instructs patients on proper use of the exercise equipment, adjusts exercise prescriptions as indicated and assesses the patient’s response to exercise. Education to patient and family members is provided by the cardiac rehab staff, incorporating knowledge of cardiovascular disease and lifestyle modification in individual and group settings. Level of duties may in part be dependent upon level of education and experience and will be assigned at the Cardiac Rehab Coordinator’s discretion. The Cardiac Rehab Clinical Exercise Specialist works under the direction of the Clinical Exercise Physiologist/Cardiac Rehab Coordinator.
Major Job Functions:
1. Conducts the inpatient phase 1 cardiac rehab program, outpatient phase 2 cardiac rehab program and outpatient phase 3 (“Heart & Sole”) medically supervised exercise program. Assists with employee and community wellness programs.
2. Intake of cardiac rehab referrals and obtaining Physician signed referrals.
3. Performs an age-specific assessment designed to gather data relevant to the patient’s individual needs and completes the comprehensive cardiac rehab individual treatment plan accordingly, which needs to be completed in specific timeframes.
4. Applying telemetry monitors in phase 2 cardiac rehab and interpret EKG/heart rhythms.
5. Assesses physiological responses to exercise and ability to handle medical emergencies.
6. Has knowledge and instructs patients on the use of exercise equipment and makes necessary individual adjustments.
7. Identifies educational needs and provides the teaching necessary for each patient by interacting effectively with patients through both oral and written communication.
8. Maintains familiarity with cardiac and pulmonary medications in their use, administration, side-effects and drug interactions for patient safety.
9. Willingness to identify problems and participate in problem solving process. Makes appropriate referrals to Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Dietician, Pharmacy and Behavioral Health.
10. Needs to be familiar with cardiac stress testing and other related testing procedures.
11. Communicates effectively amongst cardiac rehab staff and referring providers.
12. Demonstrates proficiency in regards to the computer documentation of cardiac rehab exercise sessions and any other related computerized patient information/documentation.
13. Conducts code cart and monthly quality controls checklist appropriately.
14. Continuing education required in order to stay current in the field of cardiac rehab through conferences, webinars, in-services and journals.
15. Performs order entry duties.
16. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
Qualifications/Skills:
· Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology or Bachelor’s degree in exercise science (with a concentration in cardiac rehab preferred).
· ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist or ACSM Clinical Exercise Specialist required.
· BLS and ACLS certifications required.
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
· Excellent human relation skills as demonstrated by the ability to interface positively with all customers and employees.
· Must acquire the knowledge and maintain established competency levels to perform essential professional practice.
· Must have proficient computer skills with the ability to operate within a Windows environment.
· Must have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, under stress, with minimal supervision, and to exercise initiative and judgment in analyzing, organizing, planning, prioritizing, scheduling and coordinating work with others.
· Needs to possess a high level of intelligence, integrity, sense of responsibility and ability to comprehend and analyze details.
· Knowledge of theory, principles, techniques and practice of scientific principles and research; of preparation, administration, and actions of medications; of treatments and medical procedures; of counseling and teaching techniques; of medical equipment as it relates to patient care.
· Ability to operate and handle many kinds of complex equipment.
· Ability to demonstrate clinical competence and maintain current knowledge in caring for adult through geriatric patients.
Position will remain open until filled.