SUMMARY
The Exercise Physiologist, RN, LPN, RT or other qualified applies physical activity and behavioral interventions in clinical situations to provide therapeutic or functional benefit to cardiac rehabilitation patients. The role integrates the roles of clinician, teacher, consultant and researcher to administer care to patients of all ages. Compliance with rules and regulations of all applicable federal, state and local laws as well as PMHC policies is a condition of employment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Incumbent must have the skills, ability and judgment to perform the following essential job duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation:
1. Assists with the orientation of new participants; responsible for the initial assessment of the participant and assists in the development of the plan of care with other staff members.
2. Conducts fitness evaluation, and prescribes exercise programs or overall health maintenance. May include risk identification, and rehabilitation in conjunction with other heath professionals who provide rehabilitation programs.
3. Supervises exercise sessions, monitoring participants for inappropriate responses to exercise. Responsible for blood pressure checks on all participants pre and post exercise and watching for abnormal responses on the telemetry device. Assesses participants prior to, during, and post-exercise, making appropriate referrals and/or recommendations to the participant, other staff, and Medical Director.
4. Reports any significant participant conditions (dysrhythmias, abnormal blood pressure responses, change in participants' status, etc.) to their physician immediately. Initiates ACLS measures and/or emergency care according to hospital policy.
5. Charts and documents initial assessment and daily participant information and progress.
6. Assists with the orientation of new participants and assists in the development of the plan of care with other staff members.
7. Leads participants in education sessions in areas of nursing expertise.
8. Checks emergency equipment for proper function and adequate supply on a regular basis.
9. Assists with emergency drills and mock codes on a routine basis, giving feedback and constructive criticism where appropriate.
10. Attends all scheduled staff meetings.
11. Utilizes the nursing process to direct and deliver patient care. Develops implements, revises and evaluates a formal plan of care.
12. Provides and instructs patients and/or their families or significant others with education information appropriate for age and learning abilities.
13. Creates and maintains a comfortable and safe environment for patients, visitors and other employees.
14. Organizes and prioritizes daily assignments to provide optimal patient care and increase productivity.
15. Independently maintains and updates sills such as licensure, required in-services and continuing education for professional improvement.
16. Promotes effective interdepartmental and intradepartmental communications.
17. Presents a professional, pleasant and positive image.
18. Maintains patient and employee confidentiality at all times.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Directly responsible to the Cardiac Rehab Supervisor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand or sit, use and reach with hands and fingers, walk, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, taste, smell, talk, and hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally life and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, employees occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to the risk of electrical shock.
The level of risk of exposure to blood borne pathogens is Classification I, as outlined in the Hepatitis B Vaccine Program Policy.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
REQUIRED EDUCATION
Bachelors degree in Exercise Science or related discipline.Experience in electrocardiograph interpretation and care of the cardiac patient.
COMPETENCIES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Current BLS certification.Current ACLS certification.