Clinical Exercise Physiologist I

Clinical Exercise Physiologist I

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve.

UNC Health Nash, an affiliated member of the UNC Health system, invites passionate healthcare professionals to join our esteemed team. Governed locally, we proudly serve a diverse patient base, spanning Nash, Edgecombe, Halifax, Wilson Counties, and beyond. With a steadfast commitment to elevating community health through exceptional care, we prioritize excellence, compassion, and innovation, ensuring every individual receives the highest standard of support. Joining our team means becoming an integral part of our dedication to wellness, where we constantly strive to redefine excellence in healthcare through state-of-the-art facilities and pioneering programs. Join us in this transformative journey, where your contributions will make a lasting impact on our community's health and wellbeing.

The Clinical Exercise Physiologist works closely with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to coordinate evidence- based exercise therapy that is integrated and compatible with the patient-focused medical goals. Primary responsibilities include patient assessment and monitoring and implementation of exercise prescriptions. The Clinical Exercise Physiologist uses evidence-based practice, protocols, and guidelines to help determine exercise intervention. As part of the multidisciplinary team, the Clinical Exercise Physiologist is involved in patient care, patient education, program development, and quality performance improvement.

Responsibilities:

• Patient Assessment and Monitoring: Assesses exercise therapy needs using standardized practice and critical thinking. Recognizes potential medical problems in all clinical situations and reports these to MD or RN; Recognizes unsafe exercise situations and intervenes to ensure patient safety; Monitors response to exercise such as heart rate and rhythm, blood pressures, blood glucoses, and O2 Sats. Attends and participates in patient care conferences.
• Clinical Exercise Prescription: Under the supervision Program Medical Director and/or a CEP II, develops exercise prescriptions according to age, disease, medical history, and individual needs for assigned patients. Implements and monitors exercise prescriptions and individual treatment plans and participates in the discharge planning process. Demonstrates clinical and age-specific competency as evidenced by clinical competency tools, forms, chart audits, tests, observation, etc.
• Compliance/Clinical Quality Improvement: Assists in achieving compliance with the Joint Commission, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), American Association for Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) or other accrediting agency standards to continuously improve the safety and quality of care to the public and to the organization's performance improvement. Performs business functions, such as management of resources in a cost-effective manner, and participates in compliance and quality performance improvement efforts to ensure that clinical care is safe and effective.
• Communication: Documents all aspects of exercise therapy in the medical record. Demonstrates compliance with regulatory agency standards as evidenced by chart audits and organizational / regulatory agency surveys. Communicates effectively with physicians, medical director, other providers and co-workers. Provides patient education using established behavioral change techniques. Orients new patients to the program in a clear and effective manner.
• Professional Development: Attends and participates in staff meetings, and continuing education opportunities. Participates in quality improvement initiatives and cross training. Maintains professional competency and skills required for professional practice. Act as a resource for community-based exercise programs.
• Precepting: Participates in the training of clinical exercise physiology students by acting as directed by CEP II or other upper level team member or supervisor.

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree at a US regionally accredited university in Exercise Physiology, Exercise Science, Kinesiology, or related field
• Completion of a clinical internship

Licensure/Certification Requirements:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within (1) month from date of hire

Professional Experience Requirements:

• One (1) year of experience working in a clinical setting preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Requirements:

• Communication skills: Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form to patients, public, hospital and medical staff, and physicians. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of patients and their guests, community members, and others outside of the organization.
• Organizational skills: Possess ability to time manage, complete tasks, and meet operational timelines. Ability to function independently on assignments.
• Customer Service skills: Demonstrate a passion for using skills and knowledge to help patients, guests and coworkers. Ability to efficiently, calmly, and tactfully deal with in-person, telephone calls, email correspondence, and related patient and customer services issues.
• Computer skills: Working knowledge and skills of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Proficient keyboarding skills.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations by collecting data, establishing facts, and drawing valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Critical thinking to integrate facts, informed opinion, active listening, and observations. Ability to use good judgment and make decisions regarding patient care.