Exercise Physiologist

Exercise Physiology TechnicianUnder supervision of the Operations Manager and according to established policies and procedures, provides direct patient assessment and management in the BMC Stress Testing Laboratories and/or Cardiac Rehabilitation & Prevention Program.Position: Exercise Physiology TechnicianDepartment: Stress TechsSchedule: 40 Hours (Days)Job DescriptionEssential Responsibilities / Duties:Stress Testing ManagementKnowledge of ACSM stress testing guidelinesEvaluates patients for appropriateness of testing, patient safety, and correct type of test and protocolEffectively communicates pertinent information with supervising physicians, nurses, sonographers and other physiologists and ensures communication with referring physicians as needed.Evaluates and performs stress testing of outpatients and inpatients; including, exercise tolerance tests, stress echocardiograms, dobutamine echocardiograms, metabolic stress tests, exercise nuclear stress tests, pharmacological nuclear stress tests.Performs Pediatric stress testing. Exhibits knowledge of testing protocols and proper equipment usage for pediatric patients.Provides patient information, explains testing methods and procedures, and obtains patient consentSelects appropriate testing protocol according to patient clinical presentationEnsures recordings are of the best quality for diagnosis according to departmental practices and procedures.Performs ongoing clinical assessment throughout the test by monitoring cardiovascular and pulmonary parameters including symptoms, appearance, heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogramDetermines test duration and test termination as per BMC Stress Testing Lab Policy and ACSM guidelinesCalculates and records all necessary parameters, and provides initial interpretation of electrocardiographic tracings for diagnostic purposesCreates the electronic record of exam, documentation of pertinent exam information, and data entry for charge captureEvaluates and communicates findings to medical personnel as required, following departmental practices and proceduresResponds to medical emergencies for Stress Testing Labs and BMC Non Invasive Cardiovascular Laboratories, and assists-physicians according to BMC Non-Invasive Lab policy.Provides education and instruction to hospital personnel and students in methods and theories of stress testingInserts peripheral intravenous lines as needed according to BMC Non Invasive Lab PolicyNuclear Stress Testing (specific additional duties to those as outlined above)Coordinates patient-specific imaging protocol with physician staff (Cardiology and/or Radiology)Maintain Radiation safety standards per BMC Radiation policy and procedure guidelinesEnters basic pre-test patient data and imaging data into Apollo (medical history, radiopharmaceutical doses and administration time, etc.)Cardiac Rehabilitation, PAD Rehab, & Prevention Program ManagementProvides patient orientation to the Rehab ProgramsReviews medical evaluation and implements treatment plan as developed by the Program Medical DirectorDevelops specific exercise training program and training goals for each individual patient with reference to underlying medical conditions and risks of exercisePerforms ongoing clinical assessment throughout sessions by monitoring all relevant cardiovascular parametersCoordination & scheduling of all adjunctive rehab services including behavioral medicine, social work, nutrition, and tobacco treatmentEvaluates and manages periodic Individualized Treatment Plans to achieve comprehensive risk reduction goals, interventions, outcomes, and effectivenessUtilizes behavior modification techniques to implement change: goal setting, support, feedback, and patient empowermentEducates patients on cardiovascular/pulmonary topics including (but not limited to): Anatomy & Physiology, Cardiopulmonary Risk Factors, Stress Management, Exercise, and Medications.Assists in the scheduling of ancillary patient needs: interpreters, transportation, parkingCompletes and maintains clinical documentation of daily sessions, treatment plans, and patient discharge information, using available documentation programs.Analyzes cardiac rehab program outcomes for group data as a foundation for quality improvementCollaborates and communicates with referring providers, including the provision of a written discharge summaryDocuments and reports exercise sessions, manages appointment scheduling, and initiates and ensures charge capture processesMaintains Cardiac Rehab Program standards to meet American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) accreditation requirementsDevelops individual student programs including, supervision, instruction, and training all student internsResponds to medical emergencies for Stress Testing Laboratories and BMC Non Invasive Cardiovascular Laboratories, and assists-physicians according to BMC Non-Invasive Lab policy.Maintain AACVPR staff competency requirementsPulmonary Function TestingPerforms metabolic testing with indirect calorimetryPerform basic PFT testingOther DutiesMaintains current knowledge in exercise testing, indirect calorimetry and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation through regular study of emerging literature, individual instruction by supervising staff, and participation in conferences at the department, local and national levelMaintains a working knowledge of cardiovascular medicationsHas a working knowledge of 12-lead EKGs and rhythm strip interpretationCommunicates/collaborates with members of multidisciplinary team (nursing, physicians, sonographers, local health centers, dieticians, behavioral medicine, respiratory therapists)Maintains necessary records and files according to departmental practices and procedures.Orders equipment and supplies as needed.Actively participates in quality improvement initiatives in the Non-Invasive Cardiac Laboratories and Respiratory DepartmentDemonstrates an ability to manage several concurrent tasksWork in flexible, team environmentMaintains Boston Medical Center Behavioral StandardsDemonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to age groups of adult and geriatric patients regularly served.Utilizes BMC Values as the basis for decision making and to facilitate the department and hospitals mission.Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.Performs other [additional and related] duties as needed.Equipment ManagementEnsures that all equipment is in working condition before each test, and troubleshoots all equipment needsManages all technical components of equipment including use of exercise stress test systems, treadmills & bicycles, metabolic cart, vital sign monitors, mobile language interpretation devicesMonitors Daily Quality Control including: glucometer, electronic refrigerator indicators, and defibrillatorMaintains equipment and mobilizes service personnel as needed and/or informs chief physiologist for continued follow up and managementMust adhere to all of BMCs RESPECT behavioral standards.(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).Job RequirementsEDUCATION:Bachelors degree in Exercise Physiology requiredMasters Degree in Exercise Physiology PreferredCERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:BLS, ACLS, and ACSM certifications requiredEXPERIENCE:Minimum three years of experience in a hospital setting, or similar setting, as an Exercise Physiologist or in Cardiac Rehab setting.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA):Work requires educational preparation from a Bachelors program in exercise physiology, kinesiology, or exercise science.Experience in Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation setting and/or Stress Testing preferred.Work requires knowledge to effectively utilize the Electrocardiograph, and stress testing procedures, medical terminology and basic sciences such as Physics, Math, Anatomy and Physiology.Ability to present professional literature/research at departmental Journal Club Education SeriesMaintain self-directed continued education in the field of clinical exercise physiology, stress testing and/or rehabilitationProficiency with Exercise testing ECG, stress echo,