Exercise Physiologist

Duke; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Health in Mooresville, NC is seeking an Exercise Specialist to lead and implement exercise-related programs for patients. The role requires a Master's degree in Exercise Physiology or Exercise Science, with certification in ACLS and ACSM. Candidates should have a strong background in clinical knowledge and experience in exercise programming. Responsibilities include developing programs, teaching group exercises, and ensuring compliance with health guidelines. The position offers a strong opportunity to impact patient care through education and exercise implementation.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year applicable experience for Level I and 3 years for Level II.
• Knowledge of industry standards and ability to teach group exercises.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement exercise-related programs for patients.
• Provide exercise education for the community and manage exercise science standards.
• Lead compliance and benchmarking for exercise programs.

Skills

Knowledge of exercise programming

Professionalism

Clinical knowledge of disease management

Education

Master's degree in Exercise Physiology or Exercise Science

Tools

ACLS certification

ACSM certification

Job description

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital in Mooresville, North Carolina. The smallest of the four Duke Health hospitals at 123-beds, it offers a comprehensive range of medical services, including 24‑hour emergency care, cardiology, orthopedics, women's services, and surgical specialties.

Summary & Work Performed

Develop, coordinate and implement exercise related programs including marketing, research, and internships. Provide exercise‑related education for patients and the community. Responsible for all exercise science standards needed to meet regulatory and credentialing requirements.

Level I –

• Performs all Exercise Specialist duties and diagnostic testing independently as required by the work site.
• Assist with oversight and daily operations of clinical and non‑clinical programs.
• Assist manager with program compliance, benchmarking and performance improvement.
• Able to teach most/all offered land and water‑based group exercise for low, medium, and high risk clients; mentor and train other staff in group exercise.
• Required to have clinical knowledge of disease management programming for multiple comorbidities.
• Responsible for exercise prescription development for all patient populations.
• Mentor and lead others in the department (employees and interns).
• Direct responsibility for all exercise requirements indicated in cardiac rehab state license, AAVCPR national and ACSM guidelines, if required at the work site.
• Recognizes symptom changes/signs of problems and knows the appropriate medical response and processes; initiates first‑responder care.
• Active in program certification process and regulatory agency review according to the work site.
• Assign and implement lectures, fitness classes, marketing and other materials as needed for each work site.
• Lead process improvement initiatives and benchmark responsibilities for program changes.

Level II –

• Clinical oversight regarding exercise for all patients at all risk levels.
• Able to teach all land and water‑based group exercise for all risk‑level patients.
• Serves as master trainer to other staff in the area of group exercise and evaluates staff regarding group exercise.
• Functions as a Team Leader in supervising and program oversight.
• Implement processes to ensure compliance with state, national and organizational safety requirements.
• Takes responsibility for program compliance issues.
• Collects, processes and interprets program data to support both medical coverage and administrative support.
• Has knowledge of industry standards.
• Serve as principal investigator for research projects, which may include supervision of research and publication.
• Present exercise knowledge at national or regional conferences.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Stay current with certifications and attend continuing education events.
• Review current research and update materials as needed.
• A high level of professionalism and knowledge of exercise programming is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree in Exercise Physiology or Exercise Science.

Experience

• Level I: Minimum 1 year applicable experience, prefer 2.
• Level II: Minimum 3 years applicable experience (leadership experience preferred).

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

• Level I: ACLS required (must obtain within 6 months of hire date); ACSM certification as Exercise Physiologist, Health Fitness instructor, Group Exercise Instructor, or Personal Trainer (must obtain within 6 months of hire date).
• Level II: ACLS required; ACSM certification as Clinical Exercise Physiologist required.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.