Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Summary
Supervises and oversees the performance of inpatient and/or outpatient stress testing or exercise and physical fitness testing in lieu of physician presence. Assesses the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of exercise on the cardiac and/or high-risk patient population. Collaborates with physicians and other health care team members to deliver a high-quality diagnostic test/intervention.
Job description
Summary
Supervises and oversees the performance of inpatient and/or outpatient stress testing or exercise and physical fitness testing in lieu of physician presence. Assesses the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of exercise on the cardiac and/or high-risk patient population. Collaborates with physicians and other health care team members to deliver a high-quality diagnostic test/intervention.
Job Duties
- Determines appropriate stress exercise protocol for patient based on medical history, patient evaluation, resting EKG, and indication for test/intervention.
- Recognizes indications and contraindications for stress testing/intervention.
- Communicates with Physician if questions or discussion regarding stress type ordered, intervention appropriateness or changes in patient condition warrants.
- Prepares patient for testing/intervention, including explanation and proof of patient understanding and proper lead placement.
- Supervises patient during inpatient and/or outpatient stress testing/intervention (Treadmill Exercise Stress, Nuclear Exercise, Nuclear Pharmacological, Stress Echocardiography, and/or Graded-progressive cardio-pulm exercise) using critical judgment skills and monitor patient for inappropriate responses based on indications for and limitations to stress testing/intervention to achieve a high-quality outcome.
- Evaluates patient’s anatomy and physiology, hemodynamic, and vital sign response during testing/intervention and detects any abnormal responses including BP and arrhythmia response.
- Recognizes end-points for testing and/or end-point for treatment session.
- Integrates exercise testing data into documentation for final report interpretation by Physician.
- Recognizes appropriateness for physician presence during stress testing/intervention.
- Performs holter monitor scan analysis, as needed.
- Participates and supports the supervision and onboarding of new employees and student interns.
- Provides education on exercise, health and lifestyle modification, as appropriate.
Requirements
- Master’s Degree in Exercise Science/Exercise Physiology
- Strong knowledge of cardiac A&P and hemodynamic response to exercise with understanding of end points for testing/intervention
- Strong knowledge base of cardiac exercise protocols and ability to select most appropriate for patient stress testing/intervention
- Strong knowledge of cardiac rhythms and arrhythmia recognition
- Critical thinking and judgment skills with the ability to evaluate patient response to exercise during testing/intervention
- Ability to multitask and work well under stress and in an emergency situation
- Ability to work interdependently
- Ability to use pc software programs
- Ability to develop an individualized exercise prescription for cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular patients based on clinical results of assessment and/or exercise stress test
- Ability to evaluate the patient’s responses to exercise conditioning
- Demonstrates strong educational teaching abilities for patient education, both individual and group as indicated
- Demonstrates strong knowledge of cardiac risk factors and lifestyle modifications
- ACLS - Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support - State of Pennsylvania
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support - State of Pennsylvania Upon Hire
- ACSM-Cert Tr-Exer Spec-Hlth-Fit Inst-Exer Phys - State of Pennsylvania within 1 Year or CCRP-Cert Cardiac Rehab Professional AACPRPCC - State of Pennsylvania within 1 Year
Company overview
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is a major healthcare provider and hospital network based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serving the Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania regions. Founded in 1899, LVHN operates as a comprehensive healthcare system with 13 hospital campuses, 28 health centers, numerous primary and specialty care physician practices, and multiple urgent care locations. The network's flagship facility, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, is Pennsylvania's third-largest hospital and features the state's first Level One Trauma Center. LVHN provides a wide range of medical services including specialized institutes for cancer care, heart and vascular treatment, surgical excellence, orthopedics, and neuroscience. The network operates the third-largest heart surgery program in Pennsylvania, performing over 1,200 open-heart procedures annually, and maintains one of the state's largest cancer centers treating over 2,400 new patients each year. In August 2024, LVHN completed a merger with Jefferson Health, becoming part of a larger healthcare system with 32 hospitals and over 700 locations across Pennsylvania. Prior to the merger, LVHN was the largest employer in the Lehigh Valley metropolitan region, with approximately 20,000 employees dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the community.