Exercise Physiologist - Bedside, Mercy

Advocate Health; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Atrium Health Mercy is seeking a bedside Exercise Physiologist to join the inpatient rehabilitation team, focused on mobility, functional recovery, and safe progression of activity during hospitalization. You will assess, plan, and direct patient mobilization and exercise programs, coordinate care with nursing and therapy, and document daily treatment notes to support patient outcomes.

This role involves collaboration with an interdisciplinary team and direct bedside work with patients to

Qualifications

• Experience in exercise assessment and programming for healthy and diseased populations.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• 2 years appropriate experience preferred.
• Hearing (corrected) adequate for oral/aural communication.
• Vision (corrected) adequate for reading.
• Intelligible speech and adequate language/cognitive skills.
• Must be able to push patients in a wheelchair or stretcher.
• Must be able to transfer patients.
• Must be able to demonstrate exercises to patients/caregivers.
• PPE sometimes required due to exposure to hazards.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and performs patient mobilization and exercise programs.
• Assesses readiness for mobilization by reviewing medical record.
• Coordinates care with nursing or therapy services as appropriate.
• Explains mobilization role to patient/family and verifies orders.
• Performs patient mobilization and assists with safe positioning.
• Monitors performance and tolerance; adjusts plan as needed.
• Assess and measure for appropriate durable medical equipment.
• Documents daily treatment notes and patient education.
• Notifies staff of changes in patient condition and response to treatment.
• Communicates patient status to care team.
• Coordinates care with patient schedule and treatment.
• Responds to emergencies promptly.
• Cross training with related staff may occur.

Skills

Exercise assessment

Group instruction

Individual instruction

Lifestyle counseling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Health/Fitness

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Join the Exercise Physiology team at Atrium Health Mercy, a community-focused hospital dedicated to providing high-quality patient care across a wide range of medical and surgical services. As a bedside Exercise Physiologist, you will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to support patient mobility, functional recovery, and safe progression of activity during hospitalization. This role offers the opportunity to work directly with patients at the bedside, promoting early mobility, improving functional outcomes, and contributing to a patient-centered approach to acute care rehabilitation.

Job Description:

Assess, plan and direct patient mobilization and exercise programs in an inpatient setting. Works closely with other disciplines and specialties within the department and facility as well as patients and families to assure a cohesive approach to patient care.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in a Health/Fitness field required; prefer Exercise Physiology degree. Master's Degree preferred.

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, and/or REGISTRATION:

Exercise Specialist certified by the American College of Sports Medicine or eligible to test for the same. ACSM-CEP (Clinical Exercise Physiologist) or ACSM EP-C certification preferred. Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS HCP) from AHA required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develops, implements, and performs patient mobilization and exercise programs
• Assesses the patient for contraindications and readiness for mobilization and exercise by reviewing the medical record
• Coordinates care with nursing or therapy services as appropriate
• Explains the role of mobilization to patient/family, verifies the order, and confirms patient identity
• Performs mobilization of patient and aids in adaptive positioning to maximize safety and performance.
• Monitors patient's performance and tolerance to mobility and exercise program. Adjusts plan as medically indicated.
• Assess and measure for appropriate durable medical equipment.
• Documents daily treatment notes and patient/family education.
• Notifies nursing or provider of changes in the patient's condition, performance, and response to treatment
• Communicates patient's status to nursing, clinical staff, therapy services, nurse manager, or operations manager.
• Coordinate care with patient's schedule and treatment
• Responds to emergency situations in a professional and prompt manner.
• In coordination with related staff may also cross train.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in exercise assessment and programming for healthy and diseased populations, group and individual instruction, exercise prescription, and counseling on healthy lifestyles.
• Working knowledge of medical terminology preferred.
• 2 years appropriate experience preferred.
• Hearing (corrected) adequate for oral/aural communication with patients, staff, family, visitors, etc.
• Vision (corrected) adequate for reading.
• Intelligible speech and adequate language/cognitive skills to perform job duties.
• Must be able to push patients in a wheelchair or stretcher.
• Must be able to transfer patients.
• Must be able to demonstrate any appropriate exercise and activities to patients/caregivers.
• Personal Protective Equipment such as gloves, goggles, gowns and masks are sometimes required due to possible exposure to hazardous chemicals or blood and body fluids.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Subject to stress conditions.
• Moderate noise environment.
• Clean, well-lit comfortable climate; however, occasional conditions with high moisture content.
• Frequent exposure to bloodborne pathogens and airborne pathogens, may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases.
• Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances.
• May make home visits.
• Exposure to unpleasant patient elements, body fluids.
• Subject to electro-mechanical hazards.
• Exposure to chemicals used in cleaning.
• Occasionally handles emergency or crises situations.
• Required personal protective equipment eye protection, face protection, gown, mask, lab coat and sterile and non-sterile gloves, shoe covers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

0%35%65%tototo35%65%100%N/AActivityXStandingXWalkingXSittingXBendingXReaching with armsXFinger and hand dexterityXTalkingXHearingXSeeingLifting, carrying, pushing and or pulling:X20 lbs. maximumX50 lbs. maximumX100 lbs. maximum