Exercise Physiologist - Pediatric Pulmonary Labs

Duke Clinical Research Institute; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Health in Durham, North Carolina seeks a Clinical Exercise Physiologist to develop and supervise medically supervised exercise programs for patients with chronic diseases, performing testing, assessments, and tailored prescriptions.

The CEP will monitor responses, educate patients, coordinate with a multidisciplinary team, and ensure safety with emergency procedures and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology with 1 year of experience or Master's degree in Exercise Physiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology, or a related field (preferred)
• ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) certification (must be obtained within 1 year of hire)
• Current BLS/ACLS/PALS required for clinical stress testing and rehab (per unit requirements)

Responsibilities

• Perform health risk assessments, functional capacity testing, and symptom-limited exercise testing.
• Develop, implement, and modify individualized exercise prescriptions for diverse patient populations.
• Monitor patient responses to exercise via telemetry and vital signs.
• Assist with medical supervision of outpatient rehab programs.
• Document patient progress and communicate findings to the health care team.
• Educate patients and families on exercise benefits and disease management.
• Ensure safety during all exercise sessions and participate in emergency procedures.

Skills

Clinical exercise testing

EKG interpretation

Disease pathophysiology

Exercise prescription

Emergency response

Patient education

Education

Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology

Master's degree in related field (preferred)

ACSM CEP certification (within 1 year)

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.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Health hospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo‑surgery center, and more.

General Description of the Job Class:

The Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) is a healthcare professional trained to work with individuals with chronic diseases or conditions that may be managed or improved through medically supervised exercise programs. Using guidelines established by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Thoracis Society/ European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) the CEP performs exercise stress testing, cardiopulmonary testing, pulmonary function testing, fitness assessments, develops individualized exercise prescriptions and provides ongoing monitoring to improve patient outcomes in a clinical setting.

Duties and Responsibilities at the Level:

• Perform health risk assessments, functional capacity testing, and symptom‑limited exercise testing (including ECG, metabolic, and hemodynamic monitoring).
• Develop, implement, and modify individualized exercise prescriptions for patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, renal, or musculoskeletal conditions.
• Monitor patient responses to exercise through telemetry, vital signs and perceived exertion.
• Assists with maintaining equipment and coordinating sterile processing as required by unit.
• Assist with medical supervision of outpatient cardiac, pulmonary, and other clinical rehabilitation programs.
• Assist with applying ambulatory monitors and completing preliminary analysis of results.
• Performs pulmonary function testing as required by unit.
• Document patient progress, update care plans, and communicate findings to referring physicians and healthcare team members.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams (physicians, nurses, dietitians, etc.) to support coordinated care.
• Educate patients and families on the benefits of exercise, disease management, risk factor modification, and lifestyle behavior change.
• Participate in emergency response procedures and ensure patient safety during all exercise sessions and procedures.
• Precepts new hires and student interns.
• Teaches others in the unit including peers, fellows, students.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, clinical policies, and regulatory standards (e.g., HIPAA, CMS).
• Support program development, quality improvement initiatives, and outcomes tracking.

DUHS offers career growth and enrichment. There is a clinical ladder program with various steps and opportunities at each hospital or clinic within the health system.

Required Qualifications at this Level:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology with 1 year of experience or Master's degree in Exercise Physiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology, or a related field (preferred)

Experience:

• Level I- No experience required beyond the education/certification requirements. Must obtain required certification within 12 months of employment.
• Level II- Minimum of two years of experience as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist/Exercise Physiologist.
• Level III- Minimum of three years of experience as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
  • Advancement through the Clinical Exercise Physiologist clinical ladder is contingent upon meeting the applicable experience requirements and successful completion and approval of the required Clinical Ladder Application and advancement requirements.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

• ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) certification (must be obtained within 1 year of hire).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and or PALS certification required for clinical stress testing and cardiopulmonary rehab (ACLS/PALS must be obtained within specified time frame per unit/clinic requirement)

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Clinical exercise testing and EKG interpretation
• Disease pathophysiology and medical management
• Exercise prescription for chronic disease populations and special populations (e.g. cardiac, pulmonary, cancer, bariatric, neuromuscular conditions)
• Patient education and behavior change strategies
• Emergency response and risk mitigation

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.