Cardiac Exercise Physiologist

About the role

Join Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital’s team of caregivers that remain on the leading edge of technology and education, all while consistently providing patient-centered healthcare. As part of Cleveland Clinic’s Florida region, Weston Hospital is recognized as one of the top hospitals in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale and Florida regions. Here, you will receive endless support and appreciation while building a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a key member of the multidisciplinary team, conducting and evaluating exercise stress tests for outpatients and inpatients based on physician orders, clinical assessments, and established protocols.
• Develop individualized exercise prescriptions and oversee exercise progression for patients with cardiovascular disease in a rehabilitative setting.
• Supervise all stress testing in the inpatient and outpatient setting.
• Review history and physical (H&P) for test appropriateness.
• Recognize contraindications to exercise and abnormal patient responses to exercise.
• Respond appropriately to all situations including exercise cessation and referral to medical professionals.
• Perform additional physiological assessments as required (i.e. cardiopulmonary testing, PFTs, oximetry, ammonia PET studies).
• Responsible for coding daily procedures using current Medicare CPT and ICD10 guidelines.
• Provide inpatient (Phase I) and outpatient (Phase II and maintenance) cardiac rehabilitation services to a variety of cardiovascular conditions.
• May provide patient testing before and after rehabilitation including strength, body composition, flexibility, balance and endurance.
• Provide exercise prescription for patients utilizing test data, patient status and current medication regimen, update prescription according to patient response.
• Implement concepts of cardiac secondary prevention.
• May develop and update cardiac rehab participants’ Individual Treatment Plans.
• Competency in blood pressure, lipid, diabetes, smoking cessation, weight management and psychosocial assessment/plan development/reassessment and symptom evaluation.
• Recognize contraindications to exercise and abnormal patient responses to exercise.
• Respond appropriately to all situations including exercise cessation and referral to medical professionals.
• Provide exercise, cardiovascular health promotion and behavior change strategy information for patients, peers and the community which may include public speaking and education classes.
• Arrange for initial outpatient cardiac rehab evaluation, recurring outpatient cardiac rehab sessions and discharge from the program.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in exercise physiology, kinesiology, nursing or a similar field.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross.
• American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification within one year of hire date.
• 3-6 months internship or equivalent work experience working with cardiopulmonary patients and their families.
• Proficient in 12-lead EKG interpretation and cardiac arrhythmia recognition.
• Knowledge of cardiology, disease processes, multi-organ disease issues, and pharmacology as it relates to exercise.
• Competency in patient assessment skills such as blood pressure measurement, pulse taking, telemetry, pulse oximetry, blood glucose assessment, body composition.

Preferred qualifications

• One to three years of experience.
• Clinical Exercise Specialist Certification by American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
• Training in graded exercise testing, EKG analysis and interpretation, and cardiovascular exercise physiology, including cardiac rehabilitation principles.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent walking, sitting, and standing.
• Frequent use of the phone, fax machines and computer.
• Frequent lifting and carrying equipment, supplies and materials up to 50 pounds without help of mechanical devices or other personnel.
• Requires stooping, pushing and pulling when moving patient into position for treatment.
• Excellent communication skills to convey instruction and information to patient and staff member.
• Visual acuity to perceive retains to treatment and follows or read instruction.
• The position spends 98% of his/her time in air-conditioned areas.
• The potential for exposure to blood and blood-borne pathogens materials is present while completing his/her duties.

Benefits

• We offer the following choices to cover your health, dental and vision care as well as life insurance.
• Health Plan Options – You have the choice between two comprehensive Cleveland Clinic Employee Health Plan options: EHP and EHP Plus.
• Dental Care – Four plan options administered by Cigna are available.
• Vision Care – Two plan options administered by EyeMed are available.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – Eligible caregivers receive Paid Time Off (PTO) that can be allotted toward vacation, holidays, sick time, etc.
• Caregiver discounts – We offer discounted rates for auto, home and pet insurance, identify theft protection and more.
• Adoption assistance – We provide financial assistance of up to $5,000/per child ($10,000 maximum lifetime benefit) for caregivers who choose to legally adopt a child.
• Employee Assistance Program – The Program provides free, confidential short-term counseling for caregivers and their families, whether for relationships or legal challenges.
• Employee Hardship Fund – This fund provides aid for caregivers experiencing unexpected financial difficulties.
• Paid maternity and parental leave – You will enjoy up to eight consecutive weeks for maternal care after the birth of your child to bond with your baby and up to four weeks for parental care.

Pay Range

Salaries [which may be] shown on independent job search websites reflect various market averages and do not represent information obtained directly from The Cleveland Clinic. Because we value each individual candidate, we invite and encourage each candidate to discuss salary/hourly specifics during the application and hiring process.