Cardiac Exercise Physiologist

Cleveland Clinic; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital is seeking a Cardiac Exercise Physiologist to conduct and evaluate exercise stress tests for outpatients and inpatients, basing decisions on physician orders and protocols.

You will develop individualized exercise prescriptions, oversee progression for cardiovascular patients, and participate in both Phase I–III rehabilitation services in a dynamic clinical setting.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in exercise physiology, kinesiology, nursing or a similar field.
• BLS certification through AHA or Red Cross.
• ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification within one year of hire date.
• 3–6 months internship or equivalent with cardiopulmonary patients.
• Proficient in 12-lead EKG interpretation and cardiac arrhythmia recognition.
• Knowledge of cardiology and related disease processes.
• Competency in patient assessment: BP, pulse, telemetry, oximetry, glucose, body composition.

Responsibilities

• Supervise stress testing in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Review H&P for test appropriateness.
• Recognize contraindications and abnormal responses to exercise.
• Respond to emergencies and refer to medical professionals as needed.
• Provide inpatient and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation services.
• Develop exercise prescriptions and update plans based on data and medications.
• Deliver cardiac health promotion and education to patients and staff.
• Arrange initial and ongoing outpatient rehab evaluations and discharge planning.

Skills

BLS Certification

12-lead EKG interpretation

Cardiovascular knowledge

Telemetry

Education

Master’s degree in exercise physiology

Tools

ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification

Job description

Join Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital's team of caregivers that remain on the leading edge of technology and education, all while consistently providing patient-centered healthcare. As part of Cleveland Clinic's Florida region, Weston Hospital is recognized as one of the top hospitals in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Florida regions. Here, you will receive endless support and appreciation while building a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.

As a Cardiac Exercise Physiologist, you will conduct and evaluate exercise stress tests for outpatients and inpatients based on physician orders, clinical assessments, and established protocols. In this role, you will develop individualized exercise prescriptions and oversee exercise progression for patients with cardiovascular disease in a rehabilitative setting.

A caregiver in this role works days from 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

A caregiver who excels in this role will:

• Supervise all stress testing in the inpatient and outpatient setting.
• Review history and physical (H&P) for test appropriateness.
• Recognize contraindications to exercise and abnormal patient responses to exercise.
• Respond appropriately to all situations including exercise cessation and referral to medical professionals.
• Perform additional physiological assessments as required (i.e. cardiopulmonary testing, PFTs, oximetry, ammonia PET studies
• Responsible for coding daily procedures using current Medicare CPT and ICD10 guidelines
• Provide inpatient (Phase I) and outpatient (Phase II and maintenance) cardiac rehabilitation services to a variety of cardiovascular conditions.
• May provide patient testing before and after rehabilitation including strength, body composition, flexibility, balance and endurance.
• Provide exercise prescription for patients utilizing test data, patient status and current medication regimen, update prescription according to patient response.
• Implement concepts of cardiac secondary prevention.
• May develop and will update cardiac rehab participants’ Individual Treatment Plans. Competency in blood pressure, lipid, diabetes, smoking cessation, weight management and psychosocial assessment/plan development/reassessment and symptom evaluation
• Recognize contraindications to exercise and abnormal patient responses to exercise.
• Respond appropriately to all situations including exercise cessation and referral to medical professionals.
• Provide exercise, cardiovascular health promotion and behavior change strategy information for patients, peers and the community which may include public speaking and education classes.
• Arrange for initial outpatient cardiac rehab evaluation, recurring outpatient cardiac rehab sessions and discharge from the program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Master’s degree in exercise physiology, kinesiology, nursing or a similar field
• Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross
• American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification within one year of hire date
• 3-6 months internship or equivalent work experience working with cardiopulmonary patients and their families
• Proficient in 12-lead EKG interpretation and cardiac arrhythmia recognition
• Knowledge of cardiology, disease processes, multi-organ disease issues, and pharmacology as it relates to exercise
• Competency in patient assessment skills such as blood pressure measurement, pulse taking, telemetry, pulse oximetry, blood glucose assessment, body composition

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• One to three years of experience
• Clinical Exercise Specialist Certification by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
• Training in graded exercise testing, EKG analysis and interpretation, and cardiovascular exercise physiology, including cardiac rehabilitation principles

Physical Requirements:

• Essential Duties: Interacts with patients and their families, as well as professional staff.
• Develops and maintain cooperate working relationship between the department and members of the medical staff, nursing services and other ancillary department.
• Communicates with referring physician as needed regarding exercise test result and patient's clinical status.
• Good motor coordination and manual and finer dexterity, as well as excellent hand/eye coordination to operate stress-testing equipment.
• This position requires frequent walking, sitting, and standing; talking and listening when given instructions and explanations and also frequent use of the phone, fax machines and computer.
• Work is medium/frequent, lifting and carrying equipment, supplies and materials up to 50 pounds without help of mechanical devices or other personnel.
• Requires stooping, pushing and pulling when moving patient into position for treatment; also you will be reaching, handling, feeling and manipulation of equipment into position.
• Communication skills to convey instruction and information to patient and staff member.
• Visual acuity to perceive retains to treatment and follows or read instruction.
• The position spends 98% of his/her time in air-conditioned areas.
• The potential for exposure to blood and blood-borne pathogens materials is present while completing his/her duties.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• This position requires exposure to infectious wastes such as blood and body fluids in his/her clinical duties and therefore, requires the use of PPE and Universal Precautions.

Pay Range

Salaries [which may be] shown on independent job search websites reflect various market averages and do not represent information obtained directly from The Cleveland Clinic. Because we value each individual candidate, we invite and encourage each candidate to discuss salary/hourly specifics during the application and hiring process.