Clinical Exercise Physiologist

Tucson, Arizona – Cardiac Rehab-Hosp – Varied shifts

About the role

As an Exercise Physiologist in Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab at Banner University Medical Center Tucson Main Campus, you will play a key role in supporting patients across all phases of recovery, from inpatient to long-term maintenance. The daily work includes assessing patients’ medical status, developing individualized exercise prescriptions, and leading supervised exercise sessions while closely monitoring vitals, ECG, and symptoms to ensure safety. You will provide education on lifestyle medication, breathing techniques, and risk-factor management, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team to support recovery and long-term wellness. Through compassionate coaching and evidence-based practice, you will help patients build confidence, improve functional capacity, and transition safely from hospital care to independent exercise.

Location: BUMC-Tucson, Main Campus (1625 N Campbell Ave). Clinic hours 6am–5pm.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates patient’s functional abilities and limitations to determine appropriate intervention.
• Develops a plan of care and exercise goals, as ordered by physician or other referral source.
• Works alongside and receives guidance from other more experienced team members when working in phase I and II cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation; may oversee phase III outpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehab independently.
• Implements individualized exercise plans based on patients’ physical and age-specific needs and abilities, ensuring that treatment plans are supported by standard practices and/or current literature.
• Reevaluates treatment plans, as needed, to ensure safety and maximum patient benefit.
• Educates patients, family, and other care providers post cardiac to promote patient participation and attainment of exercise program goals; provides individualized home programs with clear instructions.
• Instructs patients and families in pathology, discharge guidelines, risk factor modification, and exercise individually and through classes for both cardiac and pulmonary patients.
• Documents patient treatment according to professional and regulatory standards; follows plan of care to accomplish functions within established procedures and scope of practice.
• Confers with lead or supervisor on any unusual situations.
• Utilizes basic understanding of medical devices, equipment function, and quality control measurements; adheres to safety policies and demonstrates the ability to troubleshoot, notifying appropriate personnel to maintain equipment performance.
• Maintains a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors; complies with all ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities and maintains confidentiality of all patient information.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology or related field.
• Minimum experience of a 300+ hour internship in cardiac rehabilitation or equivalent clinical/patient hours.
• Knowledge in cardiac/pulmonary physiology, management and treatment of chronic disease, health promotion, ECG interpretation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare providers.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and human relation skills.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology or related field.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• 600+ hour internship in outpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Schedule

Full-Time, 8-hour or 10-hour shifts available.

About the organization

Banner University Medical Center Tucson is nationally recognized for providing exceptional patient care, teaching future health-care professionals, and conducting groundbreaking research. The hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and is consistently listed among the nation’s top hospitals in the prestigious Best Hospitals ranking by U.S. News & World Report. It has earned Magnet Recognition, making it the only hospital in southern Arizona to meet the rigorous standards of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program for nursing excellence. The hospital’s physicians are full-time faculty of the University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson. Specialty services include comprehensive heart and cancer care, advanced neuroscience techniques, and a multi-organ transplant program. Also located on the campus is Diamond Children’s, recognized for its specialized pediatric services including neonatal and intensive care, emergency medicine, and cancer therapies.