Exercise Physiologist - Pediatric Pulmonary Labs

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About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

General Description of the Job Class:

The Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) is a healthcare professional trained to work with individuals with chronic diseases or conditions that may be managed or improved through medically supervised exercise programs. Using guidelines established by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Thoracis Society/ European Respiratory Society (ATS/ERS) the CEP performs exercise stress testing, cardiopulmonary testing, pulmonary function testing, fitness assessments, develops individualized exercise prescriptions and provides ongoing monitoring to improve patient outcomes in a clinical setting.

Duties and Responsibilities at the Level:

• Perform health risk assessments, functional capacity testing, and symptom-limited exercise testing (including ECG, metabolic, and hemodynamic monitoring).
• Develop, implement, and modify individualized exercise prescriptions for patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, renal, or musculoskeletal conditions.
• Monitor patient responses to exercise through telemetry, vital signs and perceived exertion.
• Assists with maintaining equipment and coordinating sterile processing as required by unit.
• Assist with medical supervision of outpatient cardiac, pulmonary, and other clinical rehabilitation programs.
• Assist with applying ambulatory monitors and completing preliminary analysis of results.
• Performs pulmonary function testing as required by unit.
• Document patient progress, update care plans, and communicate findings to referring physicians and healthcare team members.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary healthcare teams (physicians, nurses, dietitians, etc.) to support coordinated care.
• Educate patients and families on the benefits of exercise, disease management, risk factor modification, and lifestyle behavior change.
• Participate in emergency response procedures and ensure patient safety during all exercise sessions and procedures.
• Precepts new hires and student interns.
• Teaches others in the unit including peers, fellows, students.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, clinical policies, and regulatory standards (e.g., HIPAA, CMS).
• Support program development, quality improvement initiatives, and outcomes tracking.

DUHS offers career growth and enrichment. There is a clinical ladder program with various steps and opportunities at each hospital or clinic within the health system.

Required Qualifications at this Level:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science or Exercise Physiology with 1 year of experience or Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, Clinical Exercise Physiology, or a related field (preferred)

Experience:

• Level I – No experience required beyond the education/certification requirements. Must obtain required certification within 12 months of employment.
• Level II – Minimum of two years of experience as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist/Exercise Physiologist.
• Level III – Minimum of three years of experience as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
  • Advancement through the Clinical Exercise Physiologist clinical ladder is contingent upon meeting the applicable experience requirements and successful completion and approval of the required Clinical Ladder Application and advancement requirements.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:

• ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP) certification (must be obtained within 1 year of hire).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and or PALS certification required for clinical stress testing and cardiopulmonary rehab (ACLS/PALS must be obtained within specified time frame per unit/clinic requirement)

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Clinical exercise testing and EKG interpretation
• Disease pathophysiology and medical management
• Exercise prescription for chronic disease populations and special populations (e.g. cardiac, pulmonary, cancer, bariatric, neuromuscular conditions)
• Patient education and behavior change strategies
• Emergency response and risk mitigation