Cardiac Exercise Specialist

Detailed Overview Responsible for coordinating exercise schedules, planning and supervising exercise sessions for cardiac rehabilitation patients at an assigned location; assesses patient's medical history and performs diagnostic tests to develop an individual care plan for each patient; leads individual and group exercises, education, counseling and related patient cardiac rehabilitation support activities; acts as a resource through the collegial sharing of information and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team in the planning, coordination and evaluation of patient exercise services. Responsibilities Assesses and evaluates the patient's functional status and risk factors and develops an exercise prescription by reviewing patient information, interviewing the patient to ensure patient's needs/goals are met/addressed and collaborating with the members of the health care team. Coordinates exercise schedules for patients; plans and conducts exercise sessions utilizing case management techniques; demonstrates exercise equipment and explains principles of exercise training to ensure patients are exercising to their greatest benefit. Assesses patient's symptoms and responses to activities by monitoring patients for cardiac arrhythmias, ECG abnormalities, cardiac medications and their potential effect on cardiac activity; modifies patient's exercise prescription as appropriate. Responds to patient complications such as fainting or heart attack during exercise by initiating and/or assisting in emergency care, calling and documenting incident in accordance with established procedures. Counsels patients and their families regarding lifestyle changes, active living exercise program guidelines, the principles of training and the value of a home exercise program. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and the community by attending patient conferences and meetings, providing information, acting as a resource and collaborating with team members in the planning, coordination and evaluation of patient services. Reviews patient charts, prepares reports and documents patient's progress in training intensity; maintains statistics records of patient assessments and treatments, as required. Participates in and provides in-service education/instruction to staff, interns, students and/or agencies as required by attending and/or delivering the in-service. Maintains current knowledge related to cardiac rehabilitation by reviewing relevant materials, attending seminars and identifying new trends to ensure information provided to patients is current; provides input into the planning of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, as requested. Participates in quality assurance/improvement activities by collecting data, monitoring variances to expected outcomes and participating in client satisfaction surveys; makes recommendations for change based on documented results. Operates, maintains and cleans related equipment as required; refers repairs to appropriate department and/or staff. Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Physical Education, Sports Medicine or Physiology. Two years' recent related clinical experience in a cardiac rehabilitation environment, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Certification with American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) - Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CCEP), current CPR Level "C" certification or equivalent and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification. Eligible for registration with the Canadian Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation. Skills and Abilities Demonstrated ability to evaluate and interpret clinical data such as stress tests and ECG. Demonstrated ability to conduct exercise sessions. Demonstrated ability to recognize and respond to complications. Demonstrated ability to modify exercise for cardio-pulmonary limitations. Demonstrated ability to prescribe aerobic and strength exercise based on the exercise stress test. Demonstrated ability to perform patient assessment. Demonstrated ability to plan a patient program. Demonstrated ability to provide staff and patient education. Demonstrated ability to problem-solve. Demonstrated ability to communicate both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with others. Demonstrated ability to effectively provide instructions and directions. Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work. Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment including related software applications. Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.