Exercise Physiologist

MedStar Health is looking for an Exercise Physiologist to join our team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center!

The Exercise Physiologist provides assessment, orientation, treatment, and education for patients in both the transitional and outpatient cardiac rehabilitation programs.

He or she provides expertise in exercise physiology, exercise prescription and exercise training for patients with coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and other disease processes.

Join one of the largest healthcare systems in the Baltimore-Washington metro region, also recognized as one of the "Healthiest Maryland Businesses".

Apply today and learn how MedStar Health can be your next great career move!

Primary Duties :

Reviews patients' medical history, medication regime, precautions, and previous hospital course prior to initial monitoring session.

Safely performs patient transfers with minimal, moderate, or maximal assist from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to standing, standing to wheelchair, and wheelchair to bed.

Maintains precautions for falls, isolation, sternal wound-healing, etc. as indicated. Assesses patients' vital signs including blood pressure, respirations, heart rate and oxygen saturation using mechanical or manual methods as indicated, at rest and with activity.

Assesses patients' breathing index (BI) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) at rest and with activity. Ensure proper electrode placement and EKG recordings at the beginning of each exercise session.

Instructs patients in warm-up exercise routine(s), proper use of exercise machines, assisted ambulation, stair climbing and self-assessment of dyspnea, exertion, and angina, as indicated.

Operates EKG monitoring system(s) during exercise sessions to determine baseline cardiac rhythms and cardiac dysrhythmias during exercise.

Develops and implements individualized exercise prescriptions (mode, intensity, duration, frequency, progression) according to program's protocol.

Appropriately advances patients according to the approved protocol based on response to exercise using metabolic equivalent (MET) levels of various activities.

Educates patients regarding cardiac risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, inactivity, etc.

with respect to secondary prevention of CVD. Discusses outpatient cardiac rehabilitation with appropriate patients and facilitates the transition to a specific program upon discharge from inpatient transitional program.

Communicates with team members regarding patient advancement, regression, assistive devices, and other pertinent information to assist with discharge planning.

Notifies appropriate team member(s) of cardiovascular responses to exercise outside established parameters and modifies treatment protocol as directed.

Identifies cardiac dysrhythmias and ectopy at rest and with exercise which requires treatment termination, team notification and / or code blue initiation.

Enters patient information in databases, inputs pertinent data and archives following discharge. Accurately reports accounting information for each patient for proper billing daily.

Records progress notes in the medical chart, as necessary. Works in active partnership with staff on projects / presentations for development of staff clinical and professional skills.

Completes assigned maintenance and administrative duties including data collection for statistics and reports, ordering, and maintaining supplies and equipment and maintenance of therapy areas.

Provides services and continuing education programs for team, service, and program. Participates in community related education programs and interprets current Clinical Exercise Physiology practice to others.

Assists with orientation of new staff. Acts as a clinical instructor to assigned students.

Qualifications : Bachelor's degree.

Bachelor's degree.

1-2 years of progressively more responsible job-related experience as an Exercise Physiologist or related position.

Previous experience with patient care, cardiovascular disease, and EKG interpretation.

Current Heart Saver Card.

Master's degree preferred.