Cardiac Rehab Clinician - (RN-BSN, RRT, PT or Exercise Physiologist)

Job Title           Cardiac Rehab Specialist                                            Department       Cardiac Rehab

Supervisor      Director of Therapy Services                                   FLSA Status         Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY                                                                                                                                                                

The Cardiac Rehab Clinician delivers direct, evidence-based patient care specializing in preventative, restorative, and cardiac rehabilitation healthcare. This role is responsible for assessing patient needs, performing fitness tests, and developing customized exercise programs to improve mobility and aid recovery from injury, illness, or cardiovascular events.

Key duties include providing patient education on disease entities, risk factors, and behavior modification while continuously monitoring patients during exercise sessions. The Cardiac Rehab Clinician tracks patient progress through detailed reports and maintains critical communication with the Cardiac Rehabilitation Medical Director and primary physicians regarding clinical changes. Additionally, the role requires the ability to respond quickly and accurately to sudden changes in a patient’s condition or response to treatment.

SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS                                                                                                         

Clinical Assessment & Testing

• Performs comprehensive head-to-toe assessments on all inpatients and outpatients, including routine reassessments per facility policy.
• Evaluates and assesses unique patient needs, physical conditions, and specific health requirements.
• Administers and grades clinical fitness and cardiac stress tests, including treadmill, chemical, nuclear, and echocardiogram modalities.
• Provides age-appropriate care tailored to the specific needs of adolescent, adult, and geriatric patient populations.

 Care Plan Development & Intervention

• Designs and implements individualized treatment and exercise plans that incorporate specific exercise and education goals.

• Routinely revises and updates care plans based on the patient's ongoing clinical response and evaluation at each visit.
• Consults with patients to determine the best plan of action to improve their overall health outcomes.

 Cardiac Monitoring & Emergency Response

• Monitors patient exercise sessions and tracks vital metrics, including heart rate, during training.
• Demonstrates expert knowledge of cardiac monitoring to identify dysrhythmias.
• Intervenes and treats dysrhythmias appropriately in accordance with established ACLS protocols.

 Patient Education & Counseling

• Formulates and delivers targeted teaching plans based on identified learning needs, evaluating the effectiveness of the learning.
• Educates and counsels patients and families on cardiovascular risk factors and healthy lifestyle modifications through individual and group sessions.
• Utilizes extensive expertise in cardiac diseases, interventions, and surgical procedures (including MI, CABG, coronary stents, and angioplasty) to inform patient education.

 Documentation & Records Management

• Maintains accurate clinical records of all exercises performed and testing data collected.
• Tracks and documents patient progress to ensure continuity of care and measurable health improvements.

BASIC SKILLS                                                                                                                                     

• Basic computer skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED                                                                                              

• Associates degree or Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy AND active RRT license in the State of Texas, OR
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing AND active RN license in the State Texas, OR
• Doctorate in Physical Therapy AND active PT license in the State of Texas OR
• Masters degree in Exercise Physiology OR Bachelor's with a Clinical Exercise Physiologist Certification
• Current BLS Certification
• Current ACLS Certification
• Two or more years of recent experience in cardiac rehab or critical care

LANGUAGE SKILLS                                                                                                                                                          

• Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Additional languages a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS                                                                                                                                          

• Ability to lift 10 lbs. alone and 150 lbs. with assistance
• Must be able to stand and walk 75% of shift on hard surfaces

Must be able to bend, stoop and reach above one’s head.