Senior Exercise Physiologist ACSM Certified (Cardiac ICU)

Senior Exercise Physiologist ACSM Certified (Cardiac ICU)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is seeking a Senior, ACSM-Certified Exercise Physiologist to join the Medical and Surgical Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (ICU) within the nationally recognized Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. This advanced clinical role supports high-acuity cardiac ICU patients through early mobility, individualized exercise prescription, and continuous physiologic monitoring. The Exercise Physiologist serves as an integral member of the interdisciplinary ICU team and helps advance recovery for some of the most critically ill cardiac patients.

Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute is home to some of the nation's top heart and vascular specialists. Our teams provide personalized, evidence-based care for patients with the most complex cardiovascular conditions, often referred from across the country.

Conditions treated include:

• Aortic aneurysm, stenosis, and regurgitation
• Arrhythmias
• Cardiomyopathy and advanced heart failure
• Congenital heart defects
• Coronary artery disease
• Endocarditis

Why Choose Heart and Vascular Care at Vanderbilt

• Recognized Care Consistently ranked among the nation's best hospitals for cardiovascular care by leading quality organizations
• Depth of Experience One of the busiest heart programs in the U.S., accepting the most complex cases
• Unique Services Specialized programs including atrial fibrillation, autonomic dysfunction, cardio-oncology, vascular medicine, and geriatric cardiology
• Innovative Techniques Pioneers in minimally invasive procedures and ICU-based ECMO mobility
• Team-Based Care Highly collaborative, multidisciplinary approach across cardiac specialties
• Access to Transplant One of the world's leading heart and multi-organ transplant programs

Why Vanderbilt Health

• Day One Benefits Medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits begin immediately
• Tennessee's #1 hospital and a nationally ranked academic medical center
• One of the nation's largest and most experienced transplant programs
• Culture of excellence, innovation, teaching, and professional development

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive patient assessments and develop individualized exercise prescriptions for critically ill cardiac patients
• Deliver early mobility and therapeutic exercise interventions, including bedside activity and cycling for ICU patients
• Monitor heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and continuous EKG telemetry during exercise sessions
• Recognize abnormal physiologic responses, contraindications, and clinical instability, adjusting interventions appropriately
• Work directly with advanced cardiac support populations including post-operative cardiac surgery, heart failure, and ECMO patients
• Collaborate daily with physicians, ICU nurses, physical therapists, and other allied health professionals
• Educate patients and families on the benefits of exercise and recovery progression
• Coordinate referrals to outpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs
• Document patient care accurately and in a timely using approved clinical templates
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds, quality improvement initiatives, and program development
• Serve as a clinical leader and mentor for Exercise Physiologists and students

Qualifications

Required:

• ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP)
• Minimum of 3 years clinical exercise physiology experience
• Specialization and demonstrated experience in cardiac rehabilitation
• Strong clinical judgment and comfort working in acute care or ICU environments

Preferred:

• Direct experience in a cardiac ICU or CVICU setting
• Experience with advanced cardiac support or transplant populations
• BLS/CPR for Healthcare Providers

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join a nationally recognized cardiac care team where your expertise directly supports patients through critical illness and recovery. At Vanderbilt Health, you will practice at the top of your license while helping shape the future of ICU-based cardiac rehabilitation.