Exercise Physiologist

Description

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The individual in this role coordinates and provides direct primary care to cardiopulmonary rehabilitation patients through a range of services characteristic of a comprehensive Cardiopulmonary Rehab Program (i.e. - assessment, exercise prescription, exercise training, dietary screening, risk factor management, health education, psychosocial support, and emergency services). Coordinates individualized care through a multi-disciplinary treatment plan. Coordinates cardiovascular diagnostic stress testing in cooperation with the Radiology department.


Part-time, benefited position working 48 hours every two week pay period. Days of work are Monday - Friday with variable hours.


JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides appropriate cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services and care to the following age groups: adolescent, adult, and geriatric. This care will be delivered in accordance with established standards of performance.
• Implements the policies and procedures of the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program in accordance with standards established by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) and American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
• Provides and documents primary care of cardiopulmonary patients including assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation.
• Demonstrates knowledge of exercise physiology, nutrition, risk factor modification strategies, counseling techniques, and adult educational theory in providing cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitative services.
• Conducts an individualized needs assessment that considers the patient's medical history and current health status as well as psychosocial characteristics and coronary artery disease risk factors.
• Establishes treatment goals to meet the patient's rehabilitation needs. Develops and adjusts individual exercise prescriptions according to patient's tolerance, test results, and/ or physician's recommendation.
• Implements treatment interventions using strategies to promote patient safety, improve function and prognosis, and promote independent self-management of health behaviors.
• Demonstrates correct body positions and proper use of equipment to patients to prevent injury and to follow exercise prescription.
• Monitors progress, conducts outcome evaluation, and adjusts treatment modalities as needed, and provides recommendations to the primary care physician regarding patient progress, status at discharge, and the support modalities that are likely to help the patient maintain outcomes achieved through treatment.
• Independently performs low to moderate risk cardiovascular exercise and pharmaceutical stress tests under general supervision. Assists physician during high-risk cardiovascular exercise and pharmaceutical stress tests.
• Initiates and/or assists in emergency care, utilizing BLS and ACLS standards, for sudden adverse development(s) in patients, such as cardiopulmonary arrest.
• Proficient in cardiac rhythm analysis with subsequent knowledge in recognizing dysrhythmias and making appropriate referral to nursing or medical staff for timely intervention.
• Ensures that equipment and environment is maintained in a clean and safe manner.
• Establishes and maintains effective communications with patients, families, and staff to contribute to the hospital mission. Provides services and patient care in alignment with the hospital's values.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION:

1. Preparation and Training - Work requires a professional level of knowledge acquired by completing a minimum of a Bachelor's degree, preferably in exercise science, kinesiology or related field. Master's degree preferred. Experience in exercise program planning and working with chronic diseases and illness preferred. Possesses a thorough understanding of the physiological basis of activity and the ability to prescribe and instruct exercise according to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines. Must possess either the ACSM CEP certification within an appropriate timeframe according to ACSM requirements.
   Optional: Possess AACVPR's CCRP to maintain the currently attained high national standards for program certification per AACVPR.
2. Work Experience - Must be BLS and ACLS certified and position is required to attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist. Must have understanding of cardiovascular system, coronary anatomy, and treatment of cardiac emergencies. Must have experience or completed internship in exercise program planning, supervision, and counseling with cardiovascular rehabilitation patients.
3. Attendance - Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at JRMC. Employee are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees are also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule.
4. Analytical Ability - A high level of analytical ability is required in a variety of duties in order to gather and interpret complex data and to find solutions to difficult problems.
5. Independent Judgement - Independent judgment is often required by the Exercise Physiologist based on established policies and procedures. Substandard performance in skills or judgment may adversely affect patient care, patient welfare, and hospital goodwill.
6. Contact with Others - Very frequent contact with others. Must demonstrate social sensitivity and the ability to communicate effectively in a professional manner.
7. Supervising the Work of Others - None
8. Responsibility for Welfare of Others - Work performed by the Exercise Physiologist may result in serious physical or emotional harm to others. It is the responsibility of the Exercise Physiologist to continuously uphold the highest degree of performance within currently defined and acceptable practice standards.
9. Mental / Visual Effort - Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must demonstrate physical and emotional ability to meet agreed upon work schedule and performance standards required by the position. Required duties are such that concentrated attention must be applied on demand consistent with manual skill requirements in situations that may at times be stressful. Visual acuity necessary for reading charts, monitors, and working with medical devices; color perception necessary for interpreting testing procedures involving color comparisons.
10. Working Conditions - Work environment is in a well-lighted gym atmosphere with modern equipment. OSHA job classification: This position is defined as Category I in which the employee may have exposure to blood borne pathogens. Position may require occasional exposure to patients with infectious disease. Must practice aseptic techniques and observe Standard Precautions. Participates in and complies with Jamestown Regional Medical Center Safety Management Program. Weekday hours will be variable according to patient enrollment in Cardiopulmonary Rehab services.
11. Promotion - No formal line of promotion
12. Background Check - A comprehensive background check and drug screening will be conducted as a condition of employment for this role.
13. Drug Screen - A urine drug screening is required for all positions and must be completed within 30 days of the date of hire.
14. Other - Position may require the individual to provide a vehicle for transportation to and from offsite work location. Must hold a current unencumbered North Dakota Driver's license and appropriate automobile insurance.
15. Physical Requirement - These are physical requirements of the position that may be performed as part of daily duties. Inability to meet one or more of these physical requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for reasonable accommodation, JRMC may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates and the proposed accommodation.

Employee Requirements

• Visual Observation - Continuously
• Standing - Frequently
• Walking - Frequently
• Sitting - Frequently
• Hands and Finger Dexterity - Continuously
• Reaching with Hands and Arms - Continuously
• Climbing - Frequently
• Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling - Frequently
• Hearing/Listening - Continuously
• Tasting or Smelling - Rarely
• Working Inside - Continuously
• Working Outside - Never
• Working in Extreme Heat - Never
• Working in Extreme Cold - Never
• Working with Hazardous Materials - Occasionally
• Noise - Frequently
• Working in Dirt/Dust - Rarely
• Driving - Never

Lifting / Carrying / Pushing / Pulling:

• Up to 10 pounds - Frequently
• Up to 25 pounds - Occasionally
• Up to 50 pounds - Occasionally
• Up to 75 pounds - Occasionally
• Up to 100 pounds - Occasionally
• Over 100 pounds - Never

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