General Description:

Under general supervision and direction, performs professional, technical and administrative work of the Exercise Physiology Lab as assigned. Works closely with the department manager, cardiologists, nurses, sonographers and other members of the cardiovascular team to provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient exercise physiology services to adult and pediatric patient populations in an academic-affiliated acute-care treatment facility.

Essential Functions/Duties/Responsibilities:

• Performs basic to advanced-level exercise physiology services to include, but not limited to; Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests, EKG Tests, Exercise Stress Tests, Functional Capacity Tests, Metabolic Analysis Studies, Pharmacologic Stress Tests, Stress-Echo Studies, and Tilt-Table Tests.
• Is able to demonstrate the professional knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies required of a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, including but not limited to:
• Principles and practices of basic to advance-level exercise physiology
• Clinical assessment
• Clinical exercise testing
• Clinical exercise prescription
• Clinical exercise physiology/pathophysiology
• Clinical exercise training and supervision
• Electrocardiography
• Patient education and counseling
• Disease management of cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, orthopedic/musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, neoplastic, immunologic and hematologic disorders
• Performs clinical services and operates equipment systems in accordance with established accreditation, professional practice and/or regulatory guidelines and standards (e.g., American Heart Association, American College of Sports Medicine, American Society of Exercise Physiologists, The Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, equipment manufacturer instructions for operation, local physician protocols, etc.)
• Collaborates with department manager, physicians, staff, patients and family to develop and implement a coordinated plan of care.
• Ensures data is documented and maintained per department policy.
• Analysis, interpretation and reporting of the data collected during testing.
• Communicates test results and critical findings to the ordering physician and other members of the care team in accordance with prescribed policy.
• Provides individualized education and exercise plans specific to the condition and functional capacity of the patient.
• Performs routine quality inspections and calibrations of exercise lab equipment including, but not limited to; stress exercise system, pulmonary function testing system, metabolic cart, bicycle ergometer and treadmill, blood pressure monitor, and pulse oximeter.
• Assists with coordinating routine and periodic maintenance/support services with manufacturer and third party vendor sources.
• Assists in developing and maintaining department policies, procedures, growth strategies, capital and operational budgets, supply and equipment inventories, and charge-master for billing lab services.
• Assists with the review and updating of protocols and standards of care based on current research and evidence-based practice guidelines.
• Collaborates with colleagues to review and update patient and staff education programs and materials.
• Participates in departmental, staff and committee meetings
• Recommends and implements improvements in workflow and care delivery processes.
• Promotes and participates in education, staff development, quality improvement and research initiatives.

General Responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology from a State, regionally and/or nationally approved school with a CAAHEP/CoAES accredited training curriculum. Or equivalent combination of education and clinical experience. Note: All associated hands-on clinical rotation experience hours must be gained exclusively from a clinical setting.

Experience: At least one (1) year of full-time clinical laboratory experience as a Certified Exercise Physiologist in an acute-care treatment facility. Some experience in literature review, research methodology, and development of research protocols desired. Note: Non-applicable experience will include observation hours, non-clinical experience, hours spent with athletes or otherwise healthy patient populations, and/or personal training.

Certifications/Licensure/Registrations:

• ACSM-EP (Certified Exercise Physiologist) required upon hire.
• ACSM-CEP (Clinical Exercise Physiologist) certification required within twelve (12) months
• BLS (American Heart Association) certification required upon hire.
• ACLS (American Heart Association) certification required within 6 months of hire.
• PALS (American Heart Association) certification required within 6 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Basic to advance-level knowledge of the theory, practices, techniques and terminology associated with a comprehensive Exercise Physiology program in an academic-affiliated, acute-care treatment facility.
• Knowledge of local, state, national and other applicable guidelines, standards and/or requirements pertinent to the service area.
• Knowledge of simple to complex anatomy and physiology in patients with normal cardiac or congenital cardiac anomalies.
• Knowledge of simple to complex cardiac rhythms and their morphology.
• Knowledge of the various device types and techniques utilized to diagnose and treat abnormal cardiac rhythms and cardiopulmonary abnormalities.
• Strong technical aptitude and demonstrated ability to operate and precept others in the use of complex medical hardware and software as applies to exercise physiology and diverse disease states.
• Skill in acquiring, documenting and post-processing cardiopulmonary and exercise physiology data.
• Skilled in maintaining accurate records and a demonstrated affinity for attention to detail.
• Skilled in maintaining performance improvement and quality assurance initiatives.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional clinical and non-clinical critical-thinking and/or problem-solving skills.
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable and work in a fast-paced, constantly changing work environment where urgency dictates work schedule.
• Ability to work independently where daily schedule varies by hours worked and tasks managed.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with patients, family members and staff colleagues
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate the critical behaviors, performance standards, and technical competencies defined by the organization.