Exercise Physiologist

General Purpose of Job:

Under the supervision of the Exercise Specialist-Clinical Diagnostics Supervisor, the Exercise Physiologist is responsible for patient care in all the areas of Graded Exercise Stress Testing/EKG tracings, Holter and Event Monitoring services, EECP therapy and Pacemaker/Device clinic duties. He/She will fulfill the objective(s) as put forth by the TCI Division of Sparrow Hospital.

Essential Duties:

This job description is intended to cover the minimum essential duties assigned on a regular basis. Associates may be asked to perform additional duties as assigned by their leader. Leadership has the right to alter or modify the duties of the position.

• Graded Exercise Testing (Treadmills, Myocardial Perfusion studies including Pharmacological studies): Follow procedures for performing stress testing on patients; which includes recognizing and identifying problems during testing which are by nature technical, and notifying the physician according to procedure; obtaining patient history, medications, illnesses, cardiovascular disease risk factors and exercise history; explanation of testing procedures/significance and safety precaution issues with patients. Measurement of appropriate parameters (at rest and during exercise); EKG monitoring responsibilities, heart rate response, systolic/diastolic blood pressures (continuous), pulse pressure product, ability to interpret the exercise electrocardiogram and communicating with the appropriate physician, according to TCI Sparrow Procedures.
• Facilitate emergency response as needed, which may include but not limited to: performing or assisting with CPR/ACLS protocols, notifying receptionist of emergency situation to insure that 911 is called, obtaining necessary emergency equipment, assisting the attending physician as needed, continuous recording of electrocardiographic tracings as needed.
• Complete all GEMMS/Heart Centrix documentation within the EMR system.
• Perform EECP therapy; which includes monitoring, motivating, educating end stage cardiac patients during their seven week course of treatment.
• Perform holter monitoring services; including scanning, proper hook-up, report production and billing.
• Perform all duties related to Event Monitor services; including website monitoring of actively enrolled patients, handling abnormal transimissions, report production and billing.
• Perform Transtelephonic pacemaker checks; including report production, scheduling 3-6 month follow up appointments, triaging patients as necessary.
• Perform Device clinic duties - Remote monitoring; daily review of websites including (Merlin, Carelink, and Biotronik/Latitude): review daily transmissions and interpret EGMs, review for ICD therapy, problems with leads, RRT alerts, pauses, afib, tachy or bradycardiac events, triage necessary problems, create report, export to GEMMS. Recognize if patient is in need of antiarrhythmic, anticoagulation therapy, or other further workup and triage to appropriate nurse or physician. Schedule in clinic apt if necessary. Understand various troubleshooting methods for bedside monitors depending on supporting company (Medtronic, Latitude, St. Jude, or Boston Scientific) Set auto transmissions for appropriate remote transmit day- be aware of previous transmission schedule (for billing purposes), and what type of device patient has (icd vs. pacemaker/ auto vs. manual)
• ILR checks -Review chart for reason for implant, implanting physician, date of implant and type of check, check current medications and review for antiarrhythmic, anticoagulation, beta blocker etc. review Carelink for patients last connection update, review if patient is due or has EP follow-up scheduled. Incision check: responsible for all aspects of incision checks including checking for signs of infection, post -op instructions and review of bedside monitor device
• Perform ICD and pacemaker interrogation; interpret findings, device programming, and documentation as assigned.
• Related duties as needed such as: ordering stress testing/EECP supplies and linen, responsible for checking crash cart, defibrillator, oxygen tanks; transporting patients as needed; cleaning treadmillrooms daily; rotate shifts as necessary