Exercise Physiologist

Advocate Health Care; Oak Lawn (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care in Oak Lawn, IL is seeking a Clinical Exercise Physiologist to oversee stress testing protocols, interpret monitor data, and educate patients and families. You will work closely with physicians to determine appropriate stress tests and ensure safety throughout procedures.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology or Kinesiology, ACSM certification within 12 months, and BLS/ACLS within 6 months of hire.

Qualifications

• This position requires clear communication with patients, physicians and staff.
• Knowledge of cardiac monitor detection and intervention is preferred.
• Ability to educate patients and families about monitoring and exercise testing.

Responsibilities

• Assure appropriate, safe and effective stress testing.
• Conduct exercise stress testing following established protocols.
• Maintain safe environment for exercise testing and equipment use.
• Perform CPR and other emergency procedures as required by policy.
• Participate in professional development and CQI initiatives.
• Apply Holter monitors and event recorders when needed.

Skills

Good communication skills

Cardiac monitor knowledge

Responsiveness to patient needs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology or Kinesiology

Master’s degree strongly desired

Job description

• Assurance of appropriate, safe and effective stress testing
• 1)Comply with the policies and procedures of the cardiodiagnostic department and hospital.
• 2)Assist in performing initial patient interviews and evaluations, deciding which stress test is appropriate and communicating with physicians.
• 3)Must have knowledge of progression of heart disease in the adult cardiac patient.
• 4)Maintain confidentiality of the patient’s information.
• 5)Promotes patient safety by reporting of issues through established channels and participating as requested in safety initiatives.
• Conducting Exercise stress testing
• 1)Responsible for following exercise protocol designed for each individual stress test. Reporting and discussing needed changes in the protocol with the physician.
• 2)May perform CPX testing
• 3)Communicate pertinent information of the patients to the physician.
• 4)Develop and update informational handouts for groups and individuals through research of journals, texts, experts, etc.
• Providing safe environment for exercise testing
• 1)Assist in assuming the responsibility for the safe and appropriate use of equipment and supplies.
• 2)Demonstrates teaching strategies with patients, there families, and other health care members.
• 3)Assist patients in learning to safely perform exercise test.
• 4)Perform CPR and other emergency procedures as per department policy and procedure.
• Participation in professional development and contribution to CQI atmosphere
• 1)Attends in-services and continuing education programs appropriate to needs and goal.
• 2)Looks for improvement opportunities for self and department.
• 3)Provides pertinent information and feedback to other health care members.
• Application of Holter monitors and event recorders when needed
• 1)Scanning of Holter monitors for arrhythmias when needed
• 2)Patient education when applying monitoring device.
• 3)Patient follow-up on monitoring device when needed
  

Major Responsibilities

• Assurance of appropriate, safe and effective stress testing
  • 1)Comply with the policies and procedures of the cardiodiagnostic department and hospital.
  • 2)Assist in performing initial patient interviews and evaluations, deciding which stress test is appropriate and communicating with physicians.
  • 3)Must have knowledge of progression of heart disease in the adult cardiac patient.
  • 4)Maintain confidentiality of the patient’s information.
  • 5)Promotes patient safety by reporting of issues through established channels and participating as requested in safety initiatives.
• Conducting Exercise stress testing
  • 1)Responsible for following exercise protocol designed for each individual stress test. Reporting and discussing needed changes in the protocol with the physician.
  • 2)May perform CPX testing
  • 3)Communicate pertinent information of the patients to the physician.
  • 4)Develop and update informational handouts for groups and individuals through research of journals, texts, experts, etc.
• Providing safe environment for exercise testing
  • 1)Assist in assuming the responsibility for the safe and appropriate use of equipment and supplies.
  • 2)Demonstrates teaching strategies with patients, there families, and other health care members.
  • 3)Assist patients in learning to safely perform exercise test.
  • 4)Perform CPR and other emergency procedures as per department policy and procedure.
• Participation in professional development and contribution to CQI atmosphere
  • 1)Attends in-services and continuing education programs appropriate to needs and goal.
  • 2)Looks for improvement opportunities for self and department.
  • 3)Provides pertinent information and feedback to other health care members.
• Application of Holter monitors and event recorders when needed
  • 1)Scanning of Holter monitors for arrhythmias when needed
  • 2)Patient education when applying monitoring device.
  • 3)Patient follow-up on monitoring device when needed
    

Licensure, Registration, And/or Certification Required

• Clinical Exercise Physiologist Certification issued by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or approved equivalent within 12 months of hire. Certification within 12 months is a condition of continued employment. Failure to meet this requirement will result in termination of employment.
• Current BLS ACLS within 6 months of hire.

Education/Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology or Kinesiology. Master’s degree strongly desired.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• This position will need to recognize the needs and behaviors of a variety of age groups of patients treated, i.e., understand normal patterns of adult behavior and look for signs of normal aging; prior experience with various age groups is preferred.
• Knowledge of cardiac monitor detection and intervention.
• Good communication skills.
• Familiarity with cardiac monitors.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Traits: Willingness to keep current in new concepts in stress testing.
• Possess an attitude that reflects assertiveness and optimism.
• Ability to offer ideas and projects for department performance improvement.
• Communicates effectively and works well with other hospital staff and physicians.
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.