Cardiac Rehab Exercise Therapist

As ProMedica patients go through cardiac rehabilitation, the Cardiac Rehab Therapist performs prescribed therapeutic and diagnostic procedures to support the patients’ rehabilitation goals. 

You will participate in creating a plan of care, evaluating achievement of identified goals, recording results and communicating important information to other health care team members. 

In this role, you will teach patients about cardiac rehab and help with clinical instruction for nursing, medical students and residents and ancillary students as needed.  

 1. Achieves and maintains a level of competency to perform prescribed therapeutic and diagnostic procedures within their scope of practice, as required per business unit, in accordance to departmental competency standards, which include general care, critical care, emergency care, and diagnostic procedures, including but not limited to, the following: 

- Conducts comprehensive subjective and objective assessments of the cardiac rehabilitation patients. 

- Determines with the patient, cardiac rehab team members and physicians an appropriate individual plan of care (ITP) based on evaluation and ongoing assessments. 

- Glucose blood sampling, analysis, and reporting; noninvasive monitoring. 

- Provides both individual and group education and instruction, as appropriate. 

- Monitors progression and outcomes. 

- May arrange interdisciplinary education, included but not limited to nutrition and pharmaceutical. 

2. Safely assembles, operates and trouble shoots therapeutic and diagnostic equipment required for patient care, including, but not limited to the following: 

- ECG Monitoring equipment. 

- Oxygen administration, monitoring and analyzing devices, including flow meters and regulators, cylinders, and pulse oximeters. 

- Mechanical devices, including various exercise equipment. 

- Laboratory equipment for blood glucose analysis. 

- Age specific patient care equipment. 

- Equipment disinfection. 

- ECP (External Counter Pulsation) equipment. 

3. Understands and applies appropriate policies and procedures, along with American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) guidelines to provide safe, highly efficient and cost-effective care, using evidence based best practice (American College of Sports Medicine). 

4. Provides education to patients (and support system), based on patient level of understanding, style of learning, and discharge needs, on disease specific process, tobacco cessation and cardiac care services provided, including instruction for risk factor/life style modification, home care equipment and exercise programs. 

5. Assist with clinical instruction of ancillary services, nursing, medical students and residents, and ancillary students as needed.  Actively participates in the orientation of new staff and contributes to the growth of others. 

6. Participates in performance improvement initiatives and collaborates with other disciplines to enhance patient and employee safety. 

7. Understands and acts in accordance with all Cardiac Rehab and Hospital Policies and Procedures for those areas assigned and is able to independently function in those areas. 

8. Completes accurate patient documentation, including billing and productivity standards.  Participates in creating a plan of care (ITP), evaluate achievement of identified goals, record results and communicate pertinent information to appropriate members of the health care team. 

9. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested by leadership within the scope of training and practice; Follow appropriate chain of command. 

The above summary of accountabilities is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It should not be considered exhaustive.  

REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor’s degree in Allied Health/Science area as minimum qualification 

• Comprehensive knowledge of exercise physiology.  

• Thorough knowledge of cardiovascular pathology, testing and treatment must be demonstrated.  

• Must be able to occasionally and with assistance move heavy weight materials, equipment, or patients.  

• Be able to communicate (verbal and written skills) and interact effectively and collaboratively with a variety of professionals, including Physicians, Nurses, Care Navigators and Administrators, to promote a seamless patient care continuum.  

• Be able to understand and comprehend directions and be able to communicate and respond to inquiries.  

• Be able to input and retrieve computer information.  

• Be able to move about hospital and between workstations, efficiently and effectively.  

• Have excellent interpersonal, organizational, problem solving and critical thinking skills.  

• Take ownership of problems, handle stress in a professional and healthy manner, and make informed decisions. 

• Adheres to the code of ethics.  

• Be able to perform essential duties in other business units as part of a shared staffing plan, as required.  

• Requires ability to function with constant interruption, and under stressful situations. 

• BLS and ACLS certification is required at some business units 

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS 

• Membership in AACVPR, and other professional organizations 

• 2 years of experience 

• Specialist certification through the American College of Sports Medicine