Exercise Specialist

About the role

The Exercise Specialist will be responsible for initiating and following through with the education plan and exercise reconditioning of patients referred to the program by a physician. The specialist will possess exceptional knowledge about all coronary artery diseases, chronic obstructive and restrictive lung diseases, and peripheral artery disease. In addition, the specialist will be responsible for patient assessments, daily exercise prescription, patient education, patient follow-ups, physician communication, and ensuring routine progress reports are forwarded to the physicians in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the counseling and education of patients and family members in respective populations with other members of the interdisciplinary team, including dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, and Respiratory Therapists.
• Conducts exercise treatments, including the monitoring of heart rates, rhythms, blood pressures, perceived exertion levels, body temperature, and patient signs and symptoms during rest, exercise, and recovery in respective areas per policy.
• Administers home exercise prescriptions with appropriate heart rate range and exercise guidelines.
• Provides referred patients and family members with pre and post-discharge instructions to inform these patients about appropriate lifestyle modifications, recommended activities, and activity restrictions.
• Aids patients with payment inquiries and refers patients to financial services when necessary.
• Completes all necessary patient documentation in the EMR and outpatient record for all the identified patient populations, trends, and participates in interdisciplinary staff meetings to plan, coordinate, and upgrade treatment programs.
• Enters patient charges for services performed.
• Aids in maintaining all programs, documentation, certifications, and manuals of policy and procedure upon annual review for all services.
• Pursues opportunities for research and program development for all populations.
• Evaluates and applies routinely current research and evidence-based information to all populations served.

Requirements

Education Required: Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science/Adult Fitness
Education Preferred: Master's Degree in Exercise Science/Adult Fitness/Wellness
Experience Required: One year of Cardiopulmonary Rehab or 1 year of Adult Wellness
Other: Must have demonstrated aptitude for clinical education and teaching.

Qualifications

Certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS Provider) certification from American Heart Association required, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) is preferred. CEP/CCEP certification preferred.