What are the responsibilities and job description for the Exercise Specialist ACSM position at FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Inc.?
Overview
FirstHealth of the Carolinas is a nationally recognized health care system in central North Carolina with headquarters in Pinehurst, N.C. FirstHealth of the Carolinas has been nationally recognized as a top 150 place to work in health care by Becker's Healthcare for two consecutive years.
Join our dynamic team as an Exercise Specialist at our cardiac rehabilitation center! You'll play a crucial role in designing and implementing personalized exercise programs for patients recovering from cardiovascular conditions. Collaborate with a dedicated medical team to help patients achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life through tailored exercise prescriptions and comprehensive care.
Responsibilities
- Design Individual Exercise Prescriptions: Create customized exercise plans in consultation with the medical director, based on valid training principles and medical diagnoses.
- Monitor and Update Plans: Adjust exercise prescriptions weekly, considering clinical status and patient responses.
- Conduct Physical Examinations: Perform thorough cardiovascular assessments, including heart rate, blood pressure, and inspection for edema and surgical wounds.
- Data Reporting: Accurately report significant clinical data to the appropriate healthcare professionals.
- Develop Risk Reduction Strategies: Create risk factor profiles and strategies for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction.
- Perform Basic Tests: Conduct tests such as blood pressure readings, ECG telemetry, 12-lead ECG, pulse oximetry, blood glucose, and lipid interpretation.
- Collaborate with Healthcare Professionals: Work with other health professionals to develop individualized treatment plans, incorporating patient preferences and goals.
- Revise Exercise Plans: Update exercise plans based on patient outcomes and progress.
- Develop Discharge Plans: Create comprehensive discharge plans detailing exercise intensity, duration, and frequency.
- Maintain Records: Keep detailed records of patient sessions and interpret clinical data.
- Educational Classes: Provide individual and group education on illness, treatment plans, and disease management.
- Patient Counseling: Engage in interactive communication and counseling with patients and their families to support shared decision-making.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor's degree in exercise physiology or a related health field; Master's degree preferred.
- Certifications: Certification by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Certified in Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS).
- Experience: Minimum of two years of experience in cardiac rehabilitation or a related field. Proven experience in developing, implementing, and updating exercise prescriptions for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), respiratory disease, and vascular disease.
- Skills: Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, excellent communication and collaboration abilities, and proficiency in interpreting EKG and blood pressure responses.
