Exercise Physiologist Contingent

Exercise Specialist

An Opportunity to Join our Remarkable Care Team as an Exercise Specialist in the Noninvasive Cardiology Department awaits YOU!!!

Position Purpose

Responsible for conducting exercise stress tests, based on physician orders, clinical assessment, and standard protocols. Responsible for conducting Cardiac Rehabilitation classes and providing education to Cardiac Rehabilitation patients. Responsible for recognizing emergency situations and initiating emergency procedures.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships. Approaches conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution.

Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, employees, and visitors to Saint Joseph Mercy Health System. Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places.

Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.

Behaves in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values of Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

Stress Testing

Demonstrates knowledge of indications for various types of stress tests and methods of testing.

Follows SJMHS Cardiovascular Lab protocols for patient assessment, preparation, ECG recordings / monitoring, test performance, test end points, and recovery monitoring. Notifies appropriate medical staff of abnormal pre-test conditions and test results.

Documents pertinent information and applies preliminary test results for physician interpretation.

Assists with training and orientation of new employees and interns, explaining and demonstrating responsibilities.

Demonstrates flexibility related to work schedule, locations, types of patients and work environment.

Successfully completes departmental competency test on use of crash cart. Performs crash cart check-offs on a regular basis.

Will require travel to various regional offices as well as weekend call. Weekend call will also involve cardiac rehab rounding.

Completes documentation in various programs such as Powerchart, Nextgen, and Heartlab.

May assist on a rotational basis to the help perform ECG's, putting on and processing Holter / Event Monitors, scanning Holter Monitors, and assisting with MUSE editing and / or associated MUSE work.

Assists in other departments as needed.

Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation and Cardiac Rehabilitation

Passion for helping patients improve their health. Establish relationships, providing reassurance and instilling confidence to all patients throughout the program.

Monitor and motivate patients as they perform their rehabilitative exercises.

Develop a customized Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) for each patient.

Track and bill patient sessions as they progress through the program.

Motivate patients to attend all sessions for success and sustainability.

Conducts new patient orientations, including: review of cardiac event, risk factors, signs and symptoms, equipment, gym, and monitor instructions.

Must be highly motivated and display strong teaching and cardiac assessment skills.

Strong organizational skills needed to coach a high volume of patients through various different cardiac rehab programs.

Effective verbal and non verbal communication skills needed to coach patients through a series of lifestyle changes.

Develops a cardiovascular risk reduction plan individualized for each patient

Conducts Phase II class according to policy and procedure.

Completes reports and send to referring physicians.

Reports significant medical abnormalities, such as abnormal blood glucose, abnormal pressure, EKG changes, and signs and symptoms to physician.

Performs daily checks of the crash cart and glucometer.

Provides mentoring and education to interns during cardiac rehabilitation classes.

Performs daily rounding at St Joseph's Mercy Hospital on post-cardiac procedure patients, to educate patients about cardiac rehab.

Develops and reviews home exercise programs for Phase II rehab patients.

Deliver organized weekly educational lectures to the cardiac rehabilitation classes.

Follows performance measures and guidelines of AACVPR accreditation.

Assists in other departments as needed.

Other Functions and Responsibilities

Maintains active BLS and ACLS certifications

Successfully completes departmental test on defibrillator, as per ACLS protocol

Responds appropriately in emergency situations, initiating CPR and other emergency procedures quickly.

Successfully completes annual departmental competencies.

Part of code team for out-patients offices

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience and Certification/Licensure

Education: Must have a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science or related field, or must have successfully completed a cardiovascular program with a non-invasive specialty.

BLS and ACLS required from American Heart Association.

Experience : Experience in stress testing and cardiac rehab preferred. Provides proof of CEP certification through ACSM prior to end of first year of employment required.

Required Skills and Abilities

Requires vision and hearing corrected to normal ranges.

Verbal and numerical abilities, and manual dexterity.

Talking and listening skills.

Reaching for and handling various pieces of equipment and using computer keyboard

Works in the hospital (inpatient) and outpatient (clinic) environment

This document is intended to describe the generalized duties and responsibilities, the specialized job functions, and the essential requirements of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of all supplemental duties, responsibilities, or non-essential requirements or reflect any accommodations made under the American's with Disability Act, the Michigan Handicapper's Act, or SJMHS's Return to Work Program

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.