Exercise Physiologist Beyond Therapy

Exercise Physiologist

With five decades of experience, Shepherd Center provides world-class clinical care, research, and family support for people experiencing the most complex conditions, including spinal cord and brain injuries, multi-trauma, traumatic amputations, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and pain. An elite center ranked by U.S. News as one of the nation's top hospitals for rehabilitation, Shepherd Center is also recognized as both Spinal Cord Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems. Shepherd is the only rehabilitation facility in the nation with an intensive care unit on-site, allowing us to care for the most complex patients and begin the rehabilitation process sooner. Shepherd Center treats thousands of patients annually with unmatched expertise and unwavering compassion to help them begin again.

Shepherd Center's culture is one of hope, humor, and hard work. You will enjoy career growth, strong relationships with co-workers, strong support from leadership, and fun activities that have kept over 12% of staff members working at Shepherd for more than 20 years.

The Exercise Physiologist assesses physical fitness of patients and/or wellness members, determines current strength and endurance, and devises individualized exercise programs tailored to meet needs of specific goals. Goals may be determined by internal care teams as well as exercise physiologist and patients/members.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist other patient care team members in lifts, transports, equipment assemble, activities of daily living, transfers, wheelchair mobility and weight shifts, and locomotor training.
• May instruct and conduct exercise classes and conduct individual exercise sessions, working within the guidelines established by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
• Participate in program development initiatives.
• Maintain equipment, gym, areas, storage areas, wheelchairs, and bathroom equipment, and other areas as assigned.
• Attends departmental meetings and required facility special events.
• Instruct new employees and volunteers in departmental maintenance tasks.
• Conduct in-service presentations to communicate evidence in exercise physiology, as needed.
• May communicate with current and prospective Wellness Program members regarding current offerings and sessions.
• May conduct periodic assessments of Wellness Program members to track baseline function and performance as well as changes over time.
• May coordinate special wellness program offerings including lectures, special events, outings, online educational and informational sessions or videos.
• Serve as team lead for departmental activities and other health and wellness initiatives.
• Serve as first line of communication for external inquiries and organizations, as applicable to role.
• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.

Required Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, or similar

Required Minimum Certification:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) within 90 days of start date.

Required Minimum Experience:

• Experience with creating and managing exercise programs.
• Two (2) years of previous hospital or rehabilitation experience preferred.

Required Minimum Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Basic computer keyboard/mouse operations and basic typing skills are required to allow for internal communication access.
• Basic word skills are also recommended.
• The ability to learn necessary computer-based operations for Word, Excel, Outlook, Therapeutic Exercise equipment operating system, and video equipment is required.

Candidate qualities and attributes must include:

• Compassion and caring for patients and families/caregivers being served
• Flexibility, self-initiation, and direction
• Ability to organize and complete tasks and projects
• Ability to follow instructions and problem solve through multitasking
• Effective communication in stressful situations
• Demonstrates the skills for appropriate follow up communication

Preferred Qualifications:

• N/A

Physical Demands:

• Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently to move, guide, or place patients. Involves some latitude for judgement with regard to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.
• Ability to transfer and position patients, consistent with lifting up to 50 lbs.

Working Conditions:

• Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.