What are the responsibilities and job description for the Exercise Physiologist Per diem position at VIRTUA?
Job Summary:
Participates in program planning, supervision, cardiac testing (including outpatient Treadmill Exercise Stress Tests, Nuclear Exercise Stress Tests, Pharmacologic Stress Tests, and Stress Echocardiography tests in lieu of RN or physician presence) and counseling of patients enrolled in cardiopulmonary rehab. Collaborates with physician to deliver high quality diagnostic testing, interprets EKG and establishes initial individualized exercise prescriptions. Assures patient safety in the use of exercise equipment. Manages all aspects of care, within scope of practice, for patients enrolled in Supervised Exercise Training for PAD and during cardiac testing. Assists in hemodynamic and physical measurements for all patients. Assists, within scope of practice, in emergency management. Assists in maintaining data on patient outcomes, and assists in special projects, such as community education.
Position Responsibilities
- Maintains current knowledge in the field of exercise physiology and cardiology EKG rhymes. Advises Program Director/professional staff in area of expertise to comprise an optimal and safe program. Interprets objective signs and symptoms (including telemetry) and modifies exercise accordingly.
- May be responsible for performing Routine stress tests- Bruce protocol, Modified Bruce protocol, Nuclear stress tests, and stress echo for outpatients. Monitors patient’s vitals at rest, during and after exercise by taking blood pressure and observing heart rate/rhythm and blood pressure response with exercise, inclusive of patient symptomatology.
- Responsible for all patient outcomes including entry, reporting and analysis of data. Utilizes data to assist in departmental projects for performance improvement.
- Evaluates and documents patient’s EKG during rest and exercise, functional capacity of exercise tolerance, blood pressure response with exercise, heart arrhythmias, signs or symptoms during exercise, the reason for terminating the stress test, EKG ST changes, and overall impression of the stress test.
- Responsible for all aspects of PAD program including Case Management.
- Assists with case management and contributes to individualized treatment plan of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab patients.
- Chart review before cardiac testing
- Recognize the need for and follow established protocols for requesting a physician’s order, or obtaining medical attention for a patient in distress or other patient issues. Collaborates with physicians to review and for direction on next steps and/or further testing
- Explains exam to patient and addresses any questions or concerns
- Maintains exercise equipment as the primary liaison with Biomed.
- Offers recommendations repairs, replacements and/or obtaining additional types equipment.
- Maintains all equipment manuals, following TJC requirements.
Position Qualifications Required:
Required Experience: Minimum of one year’s experience in hospital or fitness setting
Required Education: B.S. in Exercise Physiology or Exercise Science from an accredited school or University
M.S. preferred in cardiac setting
Training / Certification / Licensure: ACLS. Completion of EKG course. ACSM certification preferred. Specialized training in cardiovascular disease or cardiac unit experience preferred
