Exercise Physiologist II - Cardiology, Float, Charlotte

Atrium Health; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Atrium Health Cardiology seeks an Exercise Physiologist to support diagnostic and stress testing across the greater Charlotte, NC area. You will develop safe, individualized exercise programs and educate patients to improve cardiovascular health and functional capacity.

Responsibilities include coordinating stress testing, reviewing patient data, and communicating results to the care team. Strong certifications and a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology required.
• ACSM-CEP certification or eligible to test; BLS HCP required; ACLS within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Performs and coordinates diagnostic procedures with Cardiology.
• Coordinates and performs exercise and/or pharmacological stress testing following standards.
• Assesss contraindications to cardiac stress testing and coordinates care with provider.
• Explains procedures, verifies orders, and confirms patient identity.
• Assists with transferring patients and adjusting positioning for safety.
• Recognizes ECG changes and arrhythmias pre-, during-, and post-test.
• Communicates abnormal results to physicians and staff.
• Responds to emergencies in a prompt, professional manner.
• May cross-train with related staff as needed.

Skills

Exercise physiology

Patient education

Risk factor modification

Stress testing

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Physiology

Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology preferred

Tools

BLS HCP certification

ACLS certification

ACSM-CEP certification (preferred for stress testing)

Job description

Atrium Health Cardiology provides comprehensive cardiovascular care across the continuum, from preventive heart health and diagnostic testing to advanced treatment and long‑term disease management. Exercise Physiologists are integral members of the cardiology team, working alongside cardiologists, advanced practice providers, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists to support patients with a variety of cardiovascular conditions. This role focuses on exercise testing, patient education, risk factor modification, and the development of safe, individualized exercise programs that help improve cardiovascular health, functional capacity, and overall quality of life in a patient‑centered environment. This position floats across greater Charlotte, NC area locations.

Job Description

Performs and coordinates a variety of diagnostic procedures with the Cardiology service line.

Major Responsibilities

• Coordinates and performs exercise and/or pharmacological stress testing following the standards and guidelines of the ACSM/AHA/ACC and the current policies and procedures of Diagnostic Cardiology.
• Assess the patient for contraindications to cardiac stress testing by reviewing the latest H&P, lab results, and previous cardiac testing. Coordinates care with the ordering provider or Cardiologist.
• Explains the procedure, verifies the order, and confirms patient identity
• Assists with transferring patients on/off equipment and provides assistance with adaptive positioning to maximize safety and performance.
• Recognizes electrocardiographic changes and arrythmias pre‑test, during testing, and post‑test to ensure diagnostic information is obtained in a safe and controlled environment.
• Communicates abnormal results to the physician, clinical staff, operations manager or nurse manager.
• Responds to emergency situations in a professional and prompt manner.
• In coordination with related staff may also cross train.

Minimum Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Physiology required.

Certification / Registration / License

• Exercise Physiologist certified by the American College of Sports Medicine or eligible to test for the same.
• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Provider (BLS HCP) from AHA is required. ACLS required within 6 months of hire date.
• Additional certifications may be required by the department.
• If performing stress tests, successful completion of the exercise physiology competencies including the use of pharmacological stress testing agents required.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• 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.
• Lifting of patients, equipment or supplies will be required up to 20 pounds frequently and 50 pounds occasionally.
• Able to laterally transfer patients 100 pounds rarely. Sitting, standing, and walking required throughout the day.
• Job duties sometimes require climbing stairs, kneeling, twisting, bending; on occasion, crouching, crawling and reaching overhead.
• Must be able to transfer patients.
• Must be able to demonstrate any appropriate exercise and activities to patients/caregivers.
• Work is in a fast‑paced clinical environment.

Preferred Job Requirements

Education

• Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology preferred.

Experience

• One year of related experience preferred. Experience in stress testing preferred.

Certification / Registration / License

• ACSM-CEP (Clinical Exercise Physiologist) is preferred, required for stress testing.